Rocksalt restaurant in Folkestone was named overall winner at the Kent Design and Development Awards

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Margate art gallery the Turner Contemporary has won a top design award.

The iconic building visited by half a million people in its first year, was named Public Community Building in the Kent Design and Development Awards.

It was one of eight buildings honoured during a presentation ceremony at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.

But the overall winner, voted for by the audience, was the Rocksalt restaurant in Folkestone.

Architect Guy Hollaway said: "The Rocksalt restaurant sits snugly in the curve of Folkestone harbour, and all the glass gives people a wonderful view of the sea - which was our biggest influence for the design.

"We wanted to create a destination for Folkestone. A place where people could go to eat, enjoy and socialise, and I am absolutely overwhelmed that this has been recognised."

The awards celebrate the best new buildings and developments across the county over the past two years. Each winner received a distinctive trophy designed and made from Kentish Ragstone (donated by the Gallagher Group) by artist Dan Stafford.

Hadlow College Rural Regeneration Centre was voted the best for Environmental Performance. A record 94 entries were received this year.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, a sponsor alongside DHA Planning and Ward Homes, said: "Good design and quality developments are essential if we are to continue to maximise on the attractiveness and uniqueness of Kent.

"The calibre of entries was extremely high this year. The quality and skill that went into these buildings and developments is truly outstanding, and they all deserve to be celebrated. I would like to congratulate the winners and all the entries that were shortlisted."

Apart from the overall winner, the other victors were chosen by a panel of expert judges from industry bodies, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Other winners were Walderslade Primary School in Chatham (Public Buildings - Education), Rosemary Gardens, Maidstone (Residential - Major), Hill House, Maidstone (Residential - Minor), Dover Esplanade (Civils and Infrastructure) and Rocksalt Restaurant (Commercial, Industrial and Retail). Commended buildings were Hawkinge Football Pavilion, Maidstone Museum East Wing, 2-4 South Street, Folkestone, and St Mary the Virgin, Ashford.

Award sponsors included: Kent Construction Focus Group, RPC Land and New Homes, Colin Toms and Partners, Thomson Snell and Passmore, and Morgan Sindall.