The Cirencester Civic Society has two distinct Conservation Awards – for buildings/structures OR the natural environment.
The first considers the sensitive approach shown by an owner or developer when carrying out works of repair, remediation and adaptive re-use of historic buildings or other significant structures in the town, seeking to preserve our heritage whilst managing change.
Buildings nominated for the Cirencester Civic Society award may evidence conservation of rare and fragile features, subtle remediation of structural problems and careful adaptation to meet current needs, all securing the ongoing life and value of the building or structure. Where applicable, it should also complement and enhance the attractive street scenes of our beautiful town.
When assessing a nomination for a Cirencester Civic Society building Conservation Award the Panel will consider aspects of the following criteria, as appropriate.
Does the building, object or structure demonstrate:
- creative or innovative repair and conservation techniques
- a sensitive approach to alterations, managing change whilst maintaining character
- adaptive re-use of buildings
- an understanding of local vernacular traditions and materials
- the use of high-quality materials, detail design and workmanship
- evidence of contemporary cultural values and incorporate technical building standards in an appropriate manner, particularly with respect to sustainability?
Ideally the work must have been completed recently, although retrospective consent might be appropriate in exceptional circumstances.
Alongside this, the Civic Society also wish to recognise conservation projects that support the Green Heritage and natural environment of the town. This might be through improving access to or the appearance of a green space, encouraging biodiversity or wildlife, mitigating climate change for events such as flooding or using landscaping and horticulture to enhance an urban space, all whilst respecting any nearby historical character and identity. The project should be within the town boundary, can be existing and ongoing, new or managed/initiated by the community or private individual.
Does the work evidence any of the following:
- Encouraging new or enhancing existing biodiversity and wildlife through active native and habitat specific planting.
- Enhancing a green space through improvements to access, appearance or signage
- Enhancing an urban space with greenery, horticulture or street trees
- Water management to improve flood defences
Whilst Cirencester Civic Society respects the privacy of those owners of buildings in receipt of a Conservation Award, we confirm that awards will be promoted on Cirencester Civic Society website and on social media channels where images may be used.
The award will be presented as a framed certificate that can be proudly displayed.
Use the link below to download the application form and then please email to:
chair@cirencestercivicsociety.org.uk
We recently awarded our first building conservation award to a former shop on Gloucester Street, sympathetically restored internally to residential use whilst maintaining the external shop windows. The owners were invited to a monthly talk when they were presented with a conservation award certificate.
