CPRE Gloucestershire has celebrated the county’s finest new buildings and projects at its annual Awards event.

Seven developments were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the environment and community. Awards were presented by Professor Adrian Phillips, Vice-President of CPRE Gloucestershire.

“This awards ceremony is one of the highlights of our calendar,” CPRE Gloucestershire Chairman Mike Mackey told a packed event at Gambier Parry Hall, Highnam on October 4.

“Sometimes, like other environmental campaigning groups, we can be depicted as being a Nimby organisation. In many ways the opposite is true – we believe that change is inevitable, but that it should be for the better. And this sums up what these Awards are all about.”

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

2016 Award recipients:

Walled Garden Project, Museum in the Park, Stroud

For years this Grade ll-listed walled garden lay hidden and abandoned behind the Museum in the Park in Stroud. Now a new garden and learning centre have been created, fully accessible for people with disabilities.

“The community and volunteers have been at the heart of this ambitious project and continue to be,” said CPRE Gloucestershire’s Vice -Chairman Richard Lloyd. “It is a great achievement.”

The Green Shop, Frampton on Severn

In December 2014 Frampton on Severn’s last remaining shop closed its doors. But the village fought back, opening The Green Shop – a testament to how local co-operation can help maintain shops in rural communities.

“This is a splendid initiative for Frampton on Severn, which will be appreciated for years to come,” said CPRE Gloucestershire Vice-Chairman Richard Lloyd.

Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage Project

The Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage Project sees Gloucestershire leading the way in natural flood management. The project, set up in response to the 2007 floods, is run by Stroud District Council in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Gloucestershire County Council and the Environment Agency.

“This innovative project has attracted national interest and it is good to see Gloucestershire leading the way,” said CPRE Gloucestershire Vice-Chairman Richard Lloyd.

Gloucester Services

Gloucester Services on the M5 set out to achieve a new sustainable model for motorway services – and achieved this admirably.

“The services have set new standards and are a joy to use,” said CPRE Gloucestershire Vice -Chairman Richard Lloyd.

Renishaw Innovation Centre

Renishaw Engineering’s Innovation Centre, at the company’s headquarters near Wotton-under Edge is fine example of sustainable design and construction. It features as a case study in a new good practice guide on the aesthetics of solar installations on buildings, funded by CPRE Gloucestershire.

“The Centre is an exemplar of sustainable design and construction of a major building which respects its surroundings,” said CPRE Gloucestershire Vice-Chairman Richard Lloyd.

Berry Hill Community Orchard

In Berry Hill in the Forest of Dean, volunteers have transformed an area of waste ground into a community orchard. The area is already much appreciated and well used by people of all ages as a place to site and enjoy.

“This has been a tremendous community effort with generous help from local businesses too,” said CPRE Gloucestershire Vice-Chairman Richard Lloyd.

Tirley Church

The great flood of 2007 effectively destroyed the interior to the 13th century St Michael and All Angels Church in Tirley. Now it has been radically re-ordered to make it flood-proof for future generations.

“This scheme demonstrates an exceptionally high standard of design and craftsmanship, which is fitting for a building of this description,” said CPRE Gloucestershire Vice-Chairman Richard Lloyd.