FLAGSHIP building projects across Carmarthenshire have been recognised at the county’s 2015 Local Authority Building Control Excellence Awards ceremony.

David Gilbert, Carmarthenshire’s retiring director of regeneration, said the honours highlighted the progress being made with new builds across the county.

A mix of projects ranging from a school to a theatre and the restoration of crumbling castle walls were acknowledged at the ceremony, with a number of local firms or projects picking up awards.

Builders T Richard Jones (Betws) were recognised for the work on the £13-million Ffwrnes Theatre while there was also trophies for a housing development in Gorslas, the Cross Hands Food Park processing plant and an extension to a former gatehouse in Ffairfach .

A Llandeilo-based stonemason was honoured for his restoration work on projects from crumbling castles to dilapidated cottagers.

Mr Gilbert said: “The awards ceremony graphically and dramatically illustrated how Carmarthenshire was changing for the better improving the quality of life for all.

“It has been a privilege to work in a county for the last 12 years that has had the vision and courage to change the face of the county with quality new buildings underpinned by building controls and great local craftsmanship.

“The quality guidelines laid down by our local authority building control officers are being respected and adhered to by contractors and developers. The result is these landmark buildings of outstanding design and quality continuing to appear all over the county.”

Best extension or alteration to an existing dwelling

Winner: Pentre Parr, Bethlehem Rd, Ffairfach - Contractor: Mathew Prosser (Malpross Services) - Architect: Brown Partnerships

The scheme entailed the construction of an extension and glazed conservatory to a beautiful former gate lodge dwelling. The charismatic building is now well equipped in terms of its durability and robust demeanour to withstand the challenges of tomorrow.

Best local builder or traditional craftsperson.

Winner: Contractor: Heritage 2000 and David Somerfield

Heritage 2000 is a successful stone restoration company founded by stonemason David Somerfield in 1987. The company’s aim is “to give a personal service working with integrity and sensitivity tailored to the needs of each individual project to produce outstanding results”. The company has worked on many full and total restoration and renovation projects for The National Trust, Welsh Heritage (CADW) and on ecclesiastical buildings in England and Wales using wherever possible, traditional methods and materials. Their work covers a wide range of buildings - from castles to cottages.

Best social or affordable new housing development

Winner: Site at Maes-y-Ffynon, Cefneithin Road, Gorslas - Contractor - Morganstone Ltd

The 53-property development includes two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes of which eight are affordable dwellings comprising two blocks of four-terrace starter homes.

Best Large Commercial Building

Winner: Food processing Plant, Cross hands Food Park - Contractor : Jones Brothers Henllan Ltd

The development consists of a 37,000sq ft purpose-built meat processing facility, predominantly for farmers producing premium Welsh beef, adjacent to Castell Howell’s distribution centre. The build has safeguarded 49 jobs and created 32 new jobs over the next five years.

Best Public Service Building and Best Partnership with a local authority building control team.

Winner Ffwrnes, the new theatre at East Gate Llanelli - Contractor - T Richard Jones (Betws) Ltd - Architect/ Surveyor – Lawray Architects

Carmarthenshire council commissioned the project to serve the 260,000 population catchment area and recommended a new build theatre seating 500 including a forestage, orchestra pit and fly tower alongside a smaller scale flexible theatre space seating 100.

The scheme was achieved by converting the existing Zion Chapel and Sunday School buildings in a sympathetic manner whilst retaining the buildings architectural integrity, history and significance and merging with the contiguous £26-million East Gate development.

The theatre is an innovative 21st Century facility with the stage and auditorium on the same level, giving an adaptable solution to staging, orchestra pit, seating and function flexibility. Scenery is moved by means of ‘mechanical flying’ as opposed to manual operated scene lifting. All main areas are accessible by disabled including the lighting rig area.

The curved form of the elevation defines an area in front of the entrance for theatre-goers and a venue for street theatre. The external space below the first floor link has been named the “Tunnel Theatre” and is used by youth groups for street performance.

The project epitomised the close working relationship the council established and maintained with each of the LABC partners. The outcome of such successful partnership relationships was evident through the seamless transition from design concept to physical fruition.