A TAVISTOCK-based architect has won a major national award for work carried out at Stonehouse in Plymouth.
Graham Lobb's Form Design Group has won the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) Millennium Planning Award for planning achievement in the South West, beating off strong competition from projects in Bodmin and Bristol.
The award has led to a RTPI national commendation and the practice has now been shortlisted for a Civic Trust award to be announced next month in London.
Mr Lobb said: 'It goes without saying how delighted we are to have received these awards, which recognise the achievements of a highly cohesive design team.
'However, they are as much a tribute to the residents as to the professionals involved in the project.'
The Stonehouse Peninsula Project was commissioned by the former Plymouth Development Corporation seven years ago.
The Form Design Group, along with landscape architects Environs Partnership and WSP Development Ltd, has transformed a once neglected area of Plymouth.
Mr Lobb said: 'We were working on a project of extreme sensitivity within a traditional community who quite rightly wanted to protect their heritage and sense of identity.
'The success of the scheme depended on steering a course through the minefield of initial objections and demonstrating design solutions that would maintain heritage, intimacy and character of this very special area.'
He said an extensive programme of public consultation, newsletters, meetings and exhibitions resulted in residents 'coming enthusiastically onside'.
The project involved restoration of buildings including the old Infirmary, creation of attractive public spaces and an arrival space for the historic Royal William Yard.
In the commendation by RTPI judges, it was stated: 'What people see on the ground today is a high quality environment which is a compliment to the planners and designers who recognised the importance of the community as a partner.'