St James's Alnwick Since 1986 the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North East have organised annual awards schemes to recognise and celebrate planning achievement in the region. This year’s prize (2009) was jointly awarded to the regeneration of St James’s URC Church Hall , Alnwick and Berwick Workspace, Berwick Upon Tweed.
The former hall is an attractive stone-built building set in the grounds of the Grade II Listed Church, within a Conservation Area. It has been converted into nine apartments for affordable rent, maintaining traditional features which include some original stained glass windows. The judges noted how much the residents loved their apartments, which combined the retention of historic features with the provision of modern amenities.
As part of the wider benefits of the scheme the Church itself has been altered and refurbished, and was rededicated in July 2008. The minister Revd Joan Grindod-Helm explained that “Technically, the award was presented to both the church and hall, as they were entered jointly. Although the hall was the main focus, the judges were very impressed with the conversion of the church.”
St James’s Church Hall was submitted to the local planning authority for determination by Isos. The alteration and refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Church was dealt with by our Synod’s Listed Buildings Advisory Committee.
This is the second award in weeks to be associated with refurbished churches within our synod: just before Christmas St Andrew's Benton won a commendation in the Hadrian Awards for architectural excellence.
The RTPI also awarded a commenation to the Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Phase 1 Redevelopment, Newcastle upon Tyne, received a commendation (scheme submitted by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners on behalf of Capitol Shopping Centres).
Some of the other entries considered included:-
Richardson Dees Eco-House, Wallsend (North Tyneside Council)
Bede Academy, Blyth (Cundall Planning, on behalf of the Emmanuel Schools Foundation)
Green Corridor Neighbourhood Masterplan, Derwentside (WA Fairhurst & Partners, with the assistance of Planning Aid North, commissioned by the Green Corridor Neighbourhood Partnership in association with (the former) Derwentside District Council)
Trow Quarry Coastal Defence Scheme, South Shields (South Tyneside Council and Royal Haskoning, Consultant Engineers)
Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s (Gateshead Council)