Five property projects including the restoration of one of the oldest buildings in Carbrooke and the creation of Norwich's International Aviation Academy have been shortlisted for a major award.

Eastern Daily Press: Wood Farm, Carbrooke before the restoration work. Pic: Clayland Architects.Wood Farm, Carbrooke before the restoration work. Pic: Clayland Architects.

Five property renovations in Norfolk have been shortlisted out of 20 across the east of England for the coveted title of Project of the Year in the RICS national awards.

Going head to head are projects including the refurbishment of the Diss Corn Hall, the restoration of a Grade II property, Wood Farm at Carbrooke, the transformation of the University of East Anglia's Union House, a new build development on Richmond Road, Thetford and the creation of the International Aviation Academy in Norwich from a war time hangar.

These are shortlisted across seven categories for the award, with a refurbishment of a Grade II property, Monkey Lodge in Ipswich, the Christie's Care Building in Saxmundham and Sybil Andrews Academy in Bury St Edmunds among the others with entries also from Cambridge, Luton and Bedfordshire.

The annual awards recognise exemplary built projects that are positively contributing to the region split across categories including; Community Benefit, Regeneration, Design through Innovation, Building Conservation, Residential, Commercial and Tourism & Leisure.

Eastern Daily Press: Wood Farm, Carbrooke, after the restoration work. Pic: Clayland Architects.Wood Farm, Carbrooke, after the restoration work. Pic: Clayland Architects. (Image: Archant)

Those shortlisted for category awards will automatically be considered for the highly esteemed 'East of England Project of the Year' title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

Wood Farm, Carbrooke, one of the oldest properties in the location, had been empty for two years and in need of repair.

Steven Swaby, principal architect from Mundford-based Clayland Architects, said: 'The main problem was with the timber frame which had had a concrete render put on it and water had got in causing it to go soft. The aim was to get it up to a liveable standard. We also put back the character such as changing some of the Victorian windows to casement.'

Chair of the RICS East of England judging panel, Jonathan Nelson FRICS, of Richard Utting Associates, said: 'The East of England's property professionals continue to deliver outstanding, and in many cases, world-class built projects that are having a profoundly positive impact on our cities and towns.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich'a International Aviation Academy. Pic: RICS.Norwich'a International Aviation Academy. Pic: RICS.

The 2018 RICS Awards, East of England take place on 10 May at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds.

Tickets can be booked online at www.rics.org/awards or directly by phone on 0207 695 1600.

Eastern Daily Press: Diss Corn Hall, Norfolk, UK, July, 2017 Photographer Joakim Borén. Hudson Architects.Diss Corn Hall, Norfolk, UK, July, 2017 Photographer Joakim Borén. Hudson Architects. (Image: www.joakimboren.com © All Rights Reserved 2017contact@joakimboren.com)

Eastern Daily Press: Diss Corn Hall before refurbishment. Photo: Diss Corn Hall.Diss Corn Hall before refurbishment. Photo: Diss Corn Hall. (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: After the work at Diss Corn Hall. Hudson Architects, July, 2017 Photographer Joakim Borén,After the work at Diss Corn Hall. Hudson Architects, July, 2017 Photographer Joakim Borén, (Image: www.joakimboren.com © All Rights Reserved 2017contact@joakimboren.com)