A local restoration project that brought a derelict Grade II listed building in Lancaster back into residential use has scooped a prestigious national award.
East Lodge in Aldcliffe, Lancaster won the ‘Best Residential Conversion or Alteration to an Existing Home’ category in the national finals of the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards 2024.
East Lodge, now a house, was once East Lodge to the former Aldcliffe Hall, a 19th century country house.
The annual awards recognise excellent projects and individual contributions within the construction industry and highlight the key role of public sector building control teams in ensuring the safety, quality, and sustainability of construction projects.
Local developer MH Stainton Homes, with support from Lancaster City Council’s Conservation Team, embarked on a mission to carefully restore and extend East Lodge into a contemporary home whilst preserving its heritage - as it had fallen into significant disrepair.
The restoration programme included new floors, refurbished windows and lime mortar repointing. A new extension has been added, offering extra floor space.
A discreet glazed link connects the two main living areas, thoughtfully designed to preserve the character of the listed building's setting.
Councillor Sue Tyldesley, Lancaster City Council’s cabinet member for Planning and Placemaking, said: “It’s fantastic to see the partnership working between a local developer and the local planning and building control teams being recognised nationally.
“The restoration of East Lodge, a listed building at serious risk of further dereliction, serves as a reminder of what can be achieved between a responsible custodian of a heritage asset and our local authority conservation and planning and building control teams.”
Michael Stainton, Managing Director of MH Stainton Homes, said: “East Lodge was a very challenging project, and there was some third-party opposition to the development, but I’m a big believer in having the right team around you to bring the best out of a project. Working with experienced planning and conservation professionals from Lancaster City Council was invaluable and helped to get the project off to a brilliant start.
“Rightly so, we all fell in love with the building, and I think that shows in the completed project and how thrilled we all are that it has won such a prestigious award.
“East Lodge will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2027, so let’s hope it lasts another 200 years as the gateway to Aldcliffe.”
The council’s Building Control Team provided essential support in ensuring that the Building Regulations were met within the necessary constraints of Listed Building Approval.
Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash
