SEVEN developments and projects in Gloucestershire will be recognised for their community and environmental contributions at an annual awards event.

The Stroud district features heavily in this year’s Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Gloucestershire Awards – scooping five of the top prizes.

Since the scheme was launched in 2007, CPRE Gloucestershire has highlighted 52 innovative developments and projects throughout the county, including this year’s recipients.

Recipients include The Green Shop in Frampton on Severn, as an example of how local co-operation can maintain shops in rural communities, and Renishaw’s Innovation Centre near Wotton-under-Edge – cited as an example of sustainable design and construction.

The awards will be presented today (October 4) at a special event at the Gambier Parry Hall at Highnam celebrating recently-completed projects which are outstanding in their contribution to the environment or the local community, and which are exemplars of good practice.

The winners are:

The Green Shop, Frampton on Severn

The Green Shop was opened on land provided by the Frampton Court Estate after the closure of the village’s last shop in December 2014.

Run as a commercial business selling local produce, the building is largely of timber, with materials sourced from the estate and there are now plans to re-establish a Post Office there.

“We are absolutely delighted that CPRE Gloucestershire has honoured The Green Shop with an award and are very pleased to see the innovation and hard work of their partners in the project acknowledged,” said Peter Clifford, of Frampton Court Estate.

Renishaw Innovation Centre, Wotton-under-Edge

Renishaw’s Innovation Centre, at the company’s headquarters, opened last year and has been designed to limit its impact on the environment and is well insulated and mechanically heated, cooled and ventilated, with windows shaded to reduce solar gain and an extensive solar array on the roof and walls.

Renishaw spokesman Chris Pockett said: “As the largest business employer in Gloucestershire we are determined to minimise the impact of our operations in the heart of a beautiful rural community.

“That our 153,000 sq ft Innovation Centre is receiving a CPRE Award is testament to the care that we have taken to meet our responsibilities to the countryside without compromising business performance.”

Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage Project

The Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage Project, set up in response to the 2007 floods, is run by Stroud District Council in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and the Environment Agency.

It involves working closely with landowners and organisations including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and the University of Gloucestershire to implement a range of measures to slow the rate that water flows in streams that run into the River Frome.

Walled Garden Project, Museum in the Park, Stroud

A new, fully-accessible garden and learning centre has been created within the walled garden,

The pavilion, a glass-fronted, energy-efficient learning centre, opened last year and the walled garden opens to the public on Saturday (October 8).

Gloucester Services, on the M5

Berry Hill Community Orchard, Forest of Dean

Tirley Church, Tirley

CPRE Gloucestershire spokesman Richard Lloyd said: “We are delighted to be able to make seven awards this year to a very diverse range of projects, all outstanding in their way.

“It is good to be able to celebrate the inspiration and efforts of all those involved in these considerable achievements.”