Zipha Christopher launches the Mayor's Design Awards 2011 in front of the Custom House in King's Lynn.

People across West Norfolk are being urged to nominate buildings and developments in the area for a prestigious design award.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

Mayor Zipha Christopher is seeking nominations for the prestigious annual West Norfolk Design in the Environment Awards.

The awards were first established in 1998 and were designed to showcase high-quality small developments and renovation schemes which would not be recognised by large-scale national award schemes.

Mrs Christopher said: “In these difficult economic times it’s more important than ever that we recognise and reward the efforts of our local residents and businesses.

“These awards give us the opportunity to do just that. As we go about our day-to-day business we all see buildings and facilities that make us feel proud of our heritage and our borough. “It is the work of local designers and architects that helps us to preserve the special nature of our borough and I want to ensure that their achievements are recognised and applauded.

“This is something that I’m really interested in because I have always been interested in architectural design and the arts. It is a subject close to my heart.”

Work is nearing completion on Mrs Christopher’s purpose-built sustainable home in Snettisham – one of the first in the region.

The building work on the bungalow began last month after the majority of the home was shipped in across the Atlantic by Canadian firm Alouette Homes.

The water to her eco-home will come from a nearby 57-metre deep bore hole with the electricity coming from photovoltaic panels.

Mrs Christropher said: “I think it is importance to get the balance right between contemporary design and especially importantly in King’s Lynn, our heritage and the old buildings.”

Anyone can nominate a building or development as long as they have permission from the owner and it is within the borough of West Norfolk. The awards are aimed at small-scale projects by local companies or private individuals.

Nominations can include extensions, conversions, new single homes, small estate development, commercial schemes - including shop fronts, workshops or industrial developments, landscaping and enhancement schemes, community amenities, repairs and/or refurbishments.

Last year’s winners include Jarvie Close in Sedgeford and Bexwell House at Bexwell Business Park.

Jarvie Close is a 10-home, low cost, affordable housing scheme by Hastoe Housing Association. Bexwell House is a contemporary office and warehouse at Bexwell Business Park for Dorplan Architectural Hardware.