Accolade for historic development

The Merchant's House, in Shepton Mallet, won the accolade of Project of The Year in the 2009 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) South West Awards, hosted by Bob Constantine, former business and political editor for ITV.

The award is presented to a scheme judged to have excelled in one or more of the other award categories, which include building conservation, community benefit, regeneration and sustainability.

The development, entered by JM Renovations, involved conservation and restoration of a derelict Grade II-listed 17th century wool merchant's house, returning it to a family home. The project has seen the exposure and restoration of historic features including fireplaces, and the rebuilding and repair of cellar vaults.

The man behind the project and the owner of the property, Jon Maine, said: "I thought we had a fair chance of winning, although I didn't expect two awards. My total involvement with the building spans 17 years and the last five have been very hard work. I'm ecstatic to have been named as the overall winner."

Merchant's House now automatically goes forward to the national awards, the winners of which will be announced on October 16 and presented by Kevin McCloud at a special ceremony held at the Honourable Artillery Company, in London.

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