A school building in Ashford has won yet another design award.

Goat Lees Primary School in Kennington took home a total of three awards and was named overall Project of the Year at the 2014 Kent Design and Development Awards on Thursday.

The school won the two other gongs it was shortlisted for in the public buildings, education and environmental performance categories.

Eighteen projects were shortlisted for the seven category prizes by the judges, with the overall Project of the Year voted for on the night from among the category winners by more than 150 guests who attended the event held at County Hall.

Head teacher Teresa Adams said: “It was very exciting to win both categories as there were many other worthy projects.

“To receive the award for Project of the Year was a real honour as it was voted for by everybody at the ceremony.

“It is an example of how exciting design can be delivered within a finite budget...” - Pellings Neill Werner on Goat Lees Primary School

“I was delighted that our unique learning environment has been recognised in such a wonderful way as so many people have played such a vital part in ensuring that a school was established in the heart of the Goat Lees Community.”

Designed by architect business Pellings, the school was recognised for making the most of natural light and ventilation, intelligently using space and making strong links with the outside.

The project, which was funded by Kent County Council and opened in September 2013, was given extra credit for its use of photovoltaic and solar thermal panels.

A delighted Neill Werner, head of architecture at Pellings, said: “Goat Lees is an example of what can be achieved through understanding the value that senior management and teaching staff can bring to a school project.

“It is also an example of how exciting design can be delivered within a finite budget.”

Sandwich Town Tidal Defences project, undertaken by CH2M Hill Halcrow, won the Civils & Infrastructure category, sponsored by CTP Consulting Ltd. Maidstone High Street was highy commended.

In the Commercial, Industrial & Retail category, sponsored by Liberty Property Trust, the work of Clay Architecture saw Medway Crematorium victorious.

Cyclopark, the Clague & Jacobs development near Gravesend, took the top prize in the Public Buildings – Community category, sponsored by Kent Construction Focus Group.

Hadlow Tower was highly commended in this category.

In the residential categories sponsored by Liberty Property Trust UK, Horsted Park, Medway, by Proctor and Matthews won the Major category. The winner of Minor, developments of 10 properties and under, was Guy Hollaway for Pobble House, at Romney Marsh.

For more information on the award winners visit www.kentdesigndevelopmentawards.co.uk