Beccles Society Dr Nicholson Award 2020

Like so many organizations, the activities of the Beccles Society were curtailed throughout 2020 by the Covid pandemic. The Society by no means went to ground however and as evidence of its objective to promote the quality of the built environment in the town, bestowed the 2020 Dr Nicholson Award jointly on two properties, Dell House in Nelson Way and Lantsbury Terrace on Fen Lane.

"It was very pleasing to identify two contrasting developments that complied with all the Award's objectives to encourage good and imaginative design, high quality construction and good functionality," commented Society Chairman, Paul Gurbutt.

"Dell House Care Home and its three lodges make a significant contribution to the town's social infrastructure,” he continued. “The Committee were impressed with they way the building had been designed to fit into the contours and complement existing roof-lines. The Morston brick with cream timber effect cladding creates an open and welcoming aspect. Inside the accommodation is finished to a high standard with an impressive range of facilities, including multiple, imaginatively designed sitting and dining areas, a cinema and attractive terraces and balconies."

Dell House was developed and is run by Bungay-based Swan & Cygnet Care; the architect was Tom Ground of Ground Designs, from North Norfolk.

Lantsbury Terrace is a project delivered by an even more local team, and one that has contributed a great deal to Beccles over the years, A T Bent Properties and architect-builder, Peter Sabberton. It comprises one four-bedroom and three three-bedroom houses in an L-shaped terrace, all with brick-paved and raised-bed gardens, built on what was once an old slaughter yard and latterly a storage area for building materials. The land has long associations with the Bent family and Lantsbury was the middle name of the late Mr William Bent's wife.

"We were particularly happy to be able to make this award," said Mr Gurbutt. "It was the last project directed by Mr William Bent and his personal choices are reflected in the arch around the front door facing Fen Lane, the matching stone of the window sills and keystone with their carved Tudor roses, and in the Land Rover green of the front doors. Flood risk and drainage issues meant that the site was not without its challenges, but the end result is a well-designed, high quality development well worthy of the Dr Nicholson award."

2019 - North House

The purpose of the award is to encourage good design, imaginative ideas and quality development. Consideration is given to any development or building refurbishment within Beccles which improves or enhances the built structure of the town.

This year we have made the award to Brian Sabberton Limited for the tasteful and imaginative development of North House, which has been carried out to a high degree of quality, typical of the work of this company. A part of this award is also for the outstanding crinkle-crankle wall constructed at the side of North House.

Full Details -

2013 - Kings Head

An ancient coaching inn at the center of Beccles that slowly deteriorated over the years. Subsequently purchased by a national chain it appeared to the residents that little was happening to revive the building. Behind the scenes however was different and when work eventually started it was completed within a short period and to a high standard. External ironwork was sympathetically restored including the use of the old cantilevered inn sign. Internally not only was the licensed and restaurant area refurbished but the old hotel area was completely changed with a new entrance installed at the rear of the building. Accumulated building works of poor standard were removed and the original stables incorporated into the hotel area with a new external 'cafe' area provided. The hotel, restaurant / public house now fulfills its original function in a modern manner, once again becoming central to Beccles life.

Developer - J D Wetherspoon plc

2011 - Rivetts Loke

A re-development of a redundant market garden, originally owned by the Rivett family who produce they sold in their own Blyburgate shop. The development combined individual design of each property with quality building and attention to how the houses would relate to each other and the existing surroundings. Each property incorporates excellent thermal performance with attention to low maintenance. The committee also noted that Brian Sabberton Ltd used local craftsmen and sourced their materials wherever possible from local sources. The entrance to this development was attractively and well laid-out accessing the busy London Road in a manner that surmounted the potential safety issues.

Developer And Designer - Brian Sabberton Ltd

2008 - Gosford Heights Apartments

A 1960's grain silo in Gosford Road originally served as part of an extensive maltings complex. The pre-stressed concrete silo represented a significant chapter in the history of Beccles but seemed only suitable for demolition due to the nature of its construction and design. Wellington Construction on behalf of their clients Flagship Housing decided that conversion, rather than demolition was a possibility. The result is twenty-two flats serving a social need and three penthouse apartments the sum of which dramatically recognise Beccles industrial heritage.

Developer: - Flagship Housing

Construction: - Wellington Construction Ltd

2006 - Prezzo Restaurant

Purpose built in 1914 as a cinema and converted for sound in 1932 the picture palace failed to survive commercially, finally closing its doors to cinema-goers in 1960. Subsequently converted to a furniture store after a spell as an antique center it survived in that guise until the owner John Wilson retired. Purchased by the national restaurant chain Prezzo, they appointed Whisper Design Consultants as architects. The final design removed a low grade addition on the front face, created a pleasant 'al fresco' eating area and restored the original glass mosaic 'Cinema' sign. Internally the false roof was removed revealing the original barrel roof. Other design elements included the use of the original projector aperture.

Developer: - Prezzo plc

Architects: - Whisper Design

Construction - London & City Shop Fitting

2006 - The Old Rectory

A grade II listed house probably built by Phillip Dykes around 1785 - 1804 and converted to flats some time after 1976 when it ceased to be a church property. The new owners Mr and Mrs Doe wanted to return the house to a single dwelling with re-furbishment of the period features. No architect was employed and the work was entrusted to Mr Rory Sheriff who carried out much of the work personally and acted as Project Manager when others were involved. Completion of the work has seen the house returned to a state that reflects its heyday as a family home. This imposing building enhances the historically important street of Ballygate.

Developer - Mr and Mrs Doe

Project Manager - Rory Sheriff

2017 - Award Winner

A number of schools were contacted to see if they had projects which would meet our criteria and Sir John Leman High School was able to show that they met our aims of both a) and c) in relation to their school work.
All year 7 students spend time researching the history of Beccles, which includes a walking tour and studying artefacts from Beccles Museum. Whilst developing their skills, students reach a deeper understanding of Beccles, Including the history and environment. The students also complete a survey looking at housing in Beccles and understanding how it has developed according to needs through time, showing an understanding of the links between social need and built environment.
We judged that the high standard of the work met our criteria and the award was presented on the 5th October 2017 at the school assembly by myself and the vice chairman, John Sayer.