Civic Award

The Award is given for the most outstanding example of new building, renovation or landscape conversion completed during the last twelve months. The following criteria apply: quality of design, standard of workmanship, impact on the street scene and conservation ideals.

CIVIC AWARD 2021
Details of the winners can be found here.

CIVIC AWARD 2020
Details of the winners can be found here.

CIVIC AWARD 2019
In the absence of any notable developments completed in the area this year, it was decided to focus on a number of smaller, nevertheless interesting, projects.

There were five nominations this year:

Electricity sub-station, Quick Close
Statutory undertaker’s permitted development upgrade to ensure security of supply.

The Bay Tree
Temporary screen following accidental damage to Potter Street elevation.

Jitty, Jubilee Close to Station Road
‘Guerilla gardening’ along part of jitty.

Whistlewood Roundhouse
Straw bale community building.

Bench at War Memorial
as representative of the benches being placed around town.

Judging took place on 12th March 2019.    The panel was as follows:

Amanda Harmer     Visiting Architect
Sheila Hicklin          Chair Melbourne Parish Council
Paul Grimley            Chair Melbourne Civic Society
Barry Thomas          Chair MCS planning sub-committee
David Clark               Committee Member and organiser
Teresa Johnson         Members’ Representative

The wide ranging, rather eclectic mix of nominations this year were all well received by the panel, and despite the difficulties in comparing these, all were praised for either their workmanship or their impact on the surrounding area. After careful consideration, however, the consensus of the panel was that any overall main award would, once again, be withheld this year.

The panel’s decision was as follows:

The Bay Tree; A Special Award would be made to the Bay Tree for the temporary screen over the damaged Potter Street frontage. This has drawn considerable praise from the general public for the avoidance of what could have been an awful blot on the street scene had the impressive photographic image not been applied.

Jitty; The landscaping along part of the length of the jitty at the bottom end of Jubilee Close was highly praised by the panel as a very welcome improvement to the previously  claustrophobic and poorly maintained walkway. It was felt this deserved to be Highly Commended in recognition of the adjacent owner’s initiative in creatively enhancing the area and hopefully inspiring others to do similar.

Whistlewood; The Roundhouse at Whistlewood was also Highly Commended for its ecological design and construction, the use of locally sourced materials, the impressive achievement of the volunteer members in assisting in its creation and its overall community value.

Substation; The Western Power Distribution’s substation on Quick Close, previously objected to by the Civic Society was, however, Commended for the effort made to integrate it into its surroundings and to reduce its impact by siting it to the rear of the plot, using quality doors and fittings, and by replicating several details, including brickwork, from the adjacent buildings.

Bench; The war memorial bench received a positive response from the panel and was Commended as part of the new bench installations by the Parish Council being placed around town. These have been much appreciated by the community.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARD 2018

1A Ashby Road

Assembly Rooms new entrance & kitchen area

Judging took place on March 13th. The panel was as follows:

Mrs Amanda Harmer, Visiting Architect
Mrs Margaret Sharp, Chair Melbourne Parish Council
Mrs Jessica Long, Members Representative
Dr Paul Grimley, Chair Melbourne Civic Society
Mr Barry Thomas, Chair MCS planning sub-committee
Mr David Clark, Committee Member

A range of views were expressed as to the extent that the nominees met the criteria. Comments were generally positive, although there were reservations about all the properties and, therefore, it was decided that the main award would be withheld this year. However, 1A Ashby Road and the Assembly Rooms were highly commended, while 86 Ashby Road and Blatch’s were commended.

1A Ashby Road; this modest new build’s organisation and massing responds impressively to its awkward triangular site at a prominent road junction.

Assembly Rooms; the excellent workmanship and thoughtful changes in this remodeling of the entrance areas to the building, have resulted in complementing and enhancing this much used community facility.

86 Ashby Road; the competent design of this remodeled bungalow into an attractive two storey house enhances the street scene with its moderate scale and detail.

Blatch’s; the sensitive, quality refurbishment of the facade of this prominent building on Market Place – whilst internal reconstruction works were undertaken, has ensured its preservation for many more years.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARD 2017

Judging took place on March 16th. The panel was as follows:

Mrs Amanda Harmer, visiting architect
Mrs Margaret Sharp, Parish Council Chair
Dr Paul Grimley, Civic Society Chairman
Mr Barry Thomas, planning sub-committee chairman
Dr Paul Sturges, representing the membership
Mr Neil Wright, committee member

A range of views were expressed as to the extent that the nominees met the criteria. Comments were generally positive, although there were reservations about all the properties and, therefore, it was decided that the main award would be witheld this year.

However The Packhorse and 14, Church Street were highly commended while the Sports Centre was commended.

Packhorse; the renovations to this key building along with the extensive planting to the rear have enhanced this corner of King’s Newton.

14 Church Street; this building, which has been in the same family for many years, has been restored by the exposure of the original stone features, replacement of the timber elements and coloured glass .

Sports Centre; the competent design of this much needed building has been lifted by the curved roof edge and balcony features.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARD 2016

Above: the 2016 Award winner.

The members of the judging panel were:

Ms. Liz Walker, Visiting Architect
Mrs. Wendy Earp, Chair Melbourne Parish Council
Mr. David Clark, Committee member
Mr. Barry Thomas, Committee member
Mr. Neil Wright, Award organiser
Ms. Pamela Hollingworth, Member’s representative

The judging took place on Thursday 17th March

There were 5 nominations this year and the judge’s comment were as follows.

The Dower House, Church Square – COMMENDED
The workmanship on the replacement north west corner and the north entrance was praised. It was felt that, because of the constraints of the existing structure, the roof line of the northern aspect was somewhat awkward. The view from Penn Lane was much better.

116-118a Derby Road – HIGHLY COMMENDED
There was praise for the design, brick detailing and workmanship. The colour choice for the doors and window frames was particularly pleasing. The impact on the street scene, either positive or negative, has proved to be minimal. The stone cappings on the front wall were somewhat weak.

Garage at 60 Ashby Road – CIVIC AWARD WINNER
This had been built to carefully reflect the eaves and finial details of the house. This, along with the fact that it was L-shaped rather than a plain rectangle and with its arched doors, led to it being generally praised. It was variously described as charming and a “little gem”.

62 & 64 Ashby Road
It was felt that they could have benefitted by more in the way of detailing. They looked a little “flat” when compared to the adjacent new houses at 66-70.

Springfield House, 30 Ashby Road – COMMENDED
The stone and brickwork design with its detailing and workmanship were praised by all. The outstanding glazed features were unfortunately, in terms of the award, on the rear elevation.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARD 2015

There were five nominations this year.

The Close, Church Square
Repairing the timberwork, repointing the brickwork and refurbishing the roof, all to a high standard, have refreshed this prominent building.

66-70 Ashby Road
This group of 3 houses has incorporated traditional materials and by using differing details has produced a striking addition to the street scene. The workmanship was particularly praised.

Rear 60 High Street
Once again a high standard of workmanship has been achieved on this modest extension which has improved the area.

1-3, Thomas Cook Close
This former semi- derelict area has been lifted by this new project.

The Chip and Pin
The frontage to the former bank building has been given a welcome face-lift.

Judging took place on the 17th March 2015. The panel was as follows.

Mr. David Clark, consultant architect.
Mrs. Wendy Earp, Chair, Melbourne Parish Council
Mr. Brian Budd, Chairman, Civic Society
Mr. Ian Turner, Chairman, M.C.S. planning sub-committee
Mr. Neil Wright, Civic Award organizer
Mrs. Ann Nichols, member’s representative

The panel praised all the projects on their workmanship and after careful consideration it was decided that the main award would be withheld this year. However The Close and the 3 new properties at 66-70, Ashby Road were Highly Commended.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARD 2014

The award is given for the most outstanding example of new building, renovation or landscape conversion completed during the last twelve months.

The following criteria apply: quality of design, standard of workmanship, impact
on the street scene and conservation ideals

Judging Panel
Liz Walker, visiting architect
Jane Carroll, Chair Melbourne Parish Council
Ian Turner, Chairman of the Society’s planning sub-committee
Claire Sturges, committee member
Neil Wright,  committee member
Martin Keay, member’s representative

Judging took place on Thursday 13th March.

Nominations

Millbrook: a Davidson’s development at Station Road.  The largest in Melbourne for many years. House designs and details inspired by existing Melbourne properties

St. Michael’s House, Church Square:  The former semi-derelict coach house has been sympathetically converted into a multi-use building.

Roebuck House, 22 Potter Street:  The run-down frontage of the former public house has been refurbished and an extensive extension at the rear added.

Pool Farm Cottage,  Woodhouses:  This modest cottage in a former stonemason’s yard   has been extended and repaired using period details.

37 Blanch Croft: A simple, but careful restoration of a small terraced house.

Amalfi White, 50 Derby Road: The dreary tile-hung facade has been removed and the whole frontage has been rebuilt following the design of the 19th Century original so making a vast improvement of the 1970s front elevation. The interior has also been renovated to a very high standard.

48-52 Commerce Street: These three properties, built on a site which had been vacant for some time, show some pleasing detailing.

WINNER OF CIVIC AWARD 2014:  Millbrook, Station Road

“The developer has resisted the use of “standard” designs. A  lot of time and thought has gone into producing designs and detailing that reflect Melbourne. This gives a sense of continuity with the rest of the village.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amalfi White, Derby Road

“The return of the frontage to something like its original appearance has greatly enhanced the street scene on that area of Derby Road.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: St. Michaels House, Church Square

“The use of original materials in the renovation and alteration of the former coach house along with the addition of a sympathetic extension has provided a versatile building.”

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARD 2013

The award is given for the most outstanding example of new building, renovation or landscape conservation completed in Melbourne or Kings Newton during the last twelve months. The following criteria apply:  quality of design, standard of workmanship, impact on the street scene and conservation ideals.

There were 8 nominations for the Award this year.

Melbourne Pool: Removing understory shrubs on the islands and clearing part of intake wood has opened up the views across the pool.

Muniment Room roof: The removal and faithful replacement of the 250 year old roof is part of the plan to bring the Muniment Room back into regular use.

45 Potter Street: The chimney stacks have been raised and re-modelled to further enhance the appearance of this prominent house.

21 High Street: Installation of original pattern windows to the rear elevation adds to the transformation of the former mill building.

The One Off: Derby Road: Refurbishment has been completed with the addition of a glass and gold leaf cupola on top of the building.

67 Derby Road: The old render has been removed to expose the original brickwork and by installing a new door, windows, cills and lintels to original designs this house fits perfectly with its neighbours. WINNER.

Church Street development: A new development on the site of an incongruous bungalow has used period details to reflect nearby properties

Shaw House, Robinson’s Hill; An outstanding example of workmanship to replace a dilapidated conservatory.

Judging took place on March 19th. The judges were:- Tony Short, Visiting Architect; Wendy Earp, Melbourne Parish Council; Neil Wright, Barbara Simpson and Ian Turner, Committee Members; and David Platt, member representative.

All the nominees were praised by the judges who were pleased to see the use of local craftsmen. After a long deliberation it was unanimously agreed that the Civic Award this year should be presented to D. and M. Bailey for work carried out at 67 Derby Road. “The removal of existing rendering and the replacement, to a high standard, of the doors and windows with period designs satisfied all the judging criteria.”

The judges commended the Melbourne Hall Muniment Roof for the first class workmanship and its visual impact.