Ilkley Civic Society has announced the results of its Design & Conservation Awards for 2025.
The society have moved to an Autumn presentation to allow judging to take place over the summer, so it is 18 months since their last live event.
On Thursday 23rd October, the evening began with a review of the last 18months, to demonstrate the type of events and planning issues Ilkley Civic Society is involved with, including:-
- the approval of major Yorkshire Water works on Denton Rd to create a wetland,
- the failure of big organisations to obtain the necessary planning approval (Starbucks)
- supporting residents’ concerns regarding poor quality shopfronts
- monitoring with concern the deteriorating condition of some buildings and reporting the issues to BMDC (Hollycroft)
The event then moved onto this year’s presentations, which included several Commendations and 2 Awards to a variety of projects all of which succeeded in making a valuable contribution to improving the townscape of Ilkley or its surrounding landscape.
Projects, selected from a long list of 15 projects from the last 1.5 years included a variety of commercial buildings, some private residences and an urban realm project.
Certificates presented to the following projects: -
Conservation: Commendation (for work on historic buildings or structures)
- Mortons shopfront: the former shopfront has been returned to a more Victorian feel, revealing the original corner cast iron columns with ornate capitals, adding glazing bars to the windows, and recreating the former column and stall riser finishes. Design and installation by the new occupiers Design Emporium, a local architecture and interior design company.
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Langbar House: the former offices above Dacres have been converted to apartments. The considerable work to the exterior includes relaying the roof slates, repairs to chimneys, and complete re-rendering of the exterior to ensure the building envelope is fit for a long future. Developer Yorplace, architect Halliday Clark and contractor Dobsons of Ilkley.
Conservation: Award (for work on historic buildings or structures)
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Whitton Lodge: this former detached villa previously divided into flats has been returned to a family home by the removal of a bulky 2-storey rear extension and its replacement with full height staircase window and a much smaller single storey living kitchen extension. All PVCu windows have been replaced with wooden sash windows and 2 new roof dormers added. Environmentally a ground source heat pump has been added with full internal insulation to walls. Private client, architects Niche Architecture.
Special mention
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Railway Terrace: an extension to stone-built end terrace re-using stone from the original gable wall. Featuring the latest design of roof solar panels that are inset into the roof and much less obtrusive than earlier solar panels.
New Design: Commendations - for new projects
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Kings Road- two new houses filling a gap in the streetscape with crisp contemporary design that includes traditional slate rooves and stone walls. Developer, Burley developments and Halliday Clark architects.
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Wharfe View Road-Two new rear extensions designed by different architects working together to complement each other. Architects Niche and Roost.
New Design: Awards - for an Urban Realm project
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Re-establishment of a working fountain for Ilkley inspired by sphagnum moss, which is so important to water and carbon retention on our moor. The fountain is gravity fed and requires no pumping. Sculpture design by Juliet and Jamie Gutch, local artists and fabricated by James Wilkinson for Improving Ilkley, constructed by Dakin.
Ilkley Town Council Mayor Cllr Jane Gibson presented certificates to local businesses, organisations & individuals, and commented:
“I was honoured to be invited to present these awards. It was an interesting evening, celebrating creativity in our wonderful town. I particularly enjoyed those projects which supported sustainability and sympathetic adaptations within our conservation areas. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of awards."
A spokesperson for Ilkley Civic Society said:
“To round off the evening we looked at some potential future entries for the Ilkley Civic Society Awards which will take place in 12 or 24 months depending on the number of entries.
“A future live presentation will enable local residents, their architects and builders to gather to celebrate new build and heritage projects that add to the history of the town as well those that improve the environment.
“Any suggestions please to planning@civicsociety.ilkley.org”
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