A project to extend and refurbish a house in Moons Hill, Totland – which was overseen by Isle of Wight Council’s Building Control – has won a top regional prize.

Moons Hill House picked up the 2009 Local Authority Building Control (LABC) South East Best Small Domestic Project at the LABC Building Excellence Awards held in Brighton.

Pictured are Tony Prewer, IW Council Area Building Control Surveyor (left) and Colin Hibberd from JR Buckett and Son (right) receiving the award from TV presenter Rachel Eltham.  Image Copyright IWC Media.

Situated on land adjacent to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Moons Hill House is a Victorian country house and has Grade 2 listed building status. The project was to completely renovate, extend, alter and upgrade the property whilst ensuring the works were fully sympathetic to the age, style and character of the building and the adjoining AONB.

The works were designed by Rainey Petrie Architecture who are based at offices in Wootton and local builders JR Buckett and Sons from Brighstone worked on the project from groundwork to completion.

Isle of Wight Council’s Building Control provided specialist technical advice, particularly in respect of overcoming unexpected difficulties encountered as works progressed.

Isle of Wight Council Head of Planning Bill Murphy said

“It’s always nice, when good design, high quality construction and partnership working reaps dividends for the environment. I send my congratulations to all those involved, whose efforts have been recognised on a regional level”

Director of JR Buckett and Sons Colin Hibberd said

“We are very proud to have won this award. This project was a joy to work on and just goes to demonstrate what can be achieved when architect, builder and building control work together as a team with a common purpose”

The judges presenting the award commented that the project was of ‘exceptional quality, achieved without compromising regulatory requirements and at the same time fully meeting the goals and aspirations of the clients’

This is another major award for Moons Hill House which was also a winner of one of the Isle of Wight Society 2009 Conservation Awards.