THE old and the new in local architecture has been celebrated at the Wrexham Area Civic Society Awards.

Wrexham’s Mayor, Councillor Rob Walsh, was joined by the chair of the planning committee, Cllr Michael Morris, who handed out the respective awards, created with the intention of encouraging higher architectural and landscape standards in the area.

There were six winners at the ceremony, with another two receiving special commendations, while another building was handed the dreaded 'wooden spoon’.

Following the completion of a £3 million design and build project – equally funded by Wrexham Council and Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education Programme - Gwersyllt Community Primary School was presented with the ‘New Build’ award.

The new site now provides a single, colourful, and purposeful environment for the 260 pupils and 37 staff members who currently attend.

TACP Architects were behind the design of the new building, with Matthew Gregory collecting the award on behalf of the firm after a nomination by Gwersyllt Community Council.

The land to the rear of a stretch of Grosvenor Road, Wrexham, received a special commendation in the ‘New Build’ category with the £10.5 million project leading to 60 one and two-bedroom apartments being built as part of the Maes y Dderwen Extra Care project.

Maes y Dderwen also received a commendation in the ‘Architectural Conservation’ award which was won by the Rhos Stiwt Clock Tower following the completion of long-term work.

The clock began a complete transformation back in the 1980s when it was threatened with demolition, but after significant delays due to the building’s listed status, work on the clock tower was finally completed this year in time for the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Hafod Colliery.

Colliers Park in Gresford became the Football Association of Wales’ new £4.5 million National Football Development Centre in September and won the ‘Regeneration Award’.

It is hoped that the venue will provide a boost to Welsh football both locally and nationally by offering development opportunities to men, women and grassroots football.

The site has been regenerated from past colliery uses and was officially opened on September 22 – the 85th anniversary of the Gresford Colliery Disaster.

CiCi Nail Bar received a commendation in the category for its well-designed approach to making a distinctive shop front.

The Friends of Chirk Station were recognised for their efforts in maintaining the Wrexham station with the ‘Landscaping or Environmental Improvement’ award.

Despite the historic station buildings being lost, the group has consistently kept the station to a very high standard over a sustained period of time, arguably making it the best kept of Wrexham’s five railway stations.

A two-year £17.1 million project to create the North Wales Police Eastern Divisional Headquarters in Llay has won the ‘Sustainable Development’ award for impressing judges with the numerous measures to incorporate sustainability into the design.

Among those reasons were the building’s orientation to maximise natural light, car charging points, the harvesting of rainwater to provide grey water for vehicle wash, and two large attenuation ponds which hold water on site and release it when needed.

The Wrexham Building Art Project was handed the ‘Ruth Howard’ award for its significant contribution to Wrexham’s environment and quality of life.

Examples of public art have helped to brighten up and transform parts of Bank Street and Central Arcade in particular.

A final ‘Wooden Spoon’ award was also given out for a failure to appreciate good design and building quality as part of the environment.

The vacant and derelict building on the corners of Bridge Street and Chapel Street were given the award to highlight their failure to consider the impact of their appearance on the surroundings.