Building design stars in Dales contest

The design of new buildings in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be put under the microscope in a competition being run this year.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's (YDNPA) Best Building Design Award competition aims to promote examples of both innovative and sensitive developments.

YDNPA deputy head of planning Andrew McCullagh said: "It's often thought that to get planning permission in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it is always necessary to make new building work look just like its surroundings – as though it has always been there.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It is true that this "safe" approach is often successful in getting planning permission and, indeed, where a village or group of buildings is particularly unspoilt, this is a sensible guiding principle.

"However, there is a tendency for it to result in familiar building styles that do little to create excitement or give visual stimulation.

"As a design approach, it does not necessarily produce buildings that are harmful or ugly – but neither does it encourage architects to experiment with new techniques and materials which, with careful handling, could be used to add vitality and interest without harming their setting.

"It also tends to discourage efforts to use new techniques to make buildings more sustainable and energy efficient, an increasingly important consideration."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The competition is open to anyone who owns or has been involved in a development that has been substantially completed since January 1 2003, or from anyone else who simply thinks that a particular development has been successfully carried out and is worthy of an award.

Details of the competition can be found on the YDNPA website www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/bbda or from Lesley Knevitt on 01969 652326 or by emailing [email protected]

Nominations for the awards have to be received by June 11.