Toasting to the best buildings in the borough last night (15 November) was The Kingston Society's Townscape Award winners of 2023.

Since 1988 The Kingston Society Townscape Awards has been an essential part of its mission to maintain and elevate excellence in (sub)urban local area.

The Committee and independent Jurors reviewed 32 nominations submitted by the public and Kingston Society members.

Each nomination was considered against some or all of these measures: Overall Design and Aesthetics, Landscaping and Public Spaces, Historic Preservation, Community Impact, Sustainability and Innovation – and also against the time window constraint imposed by competition rules.

Queen's Promenade. (Photo: The Kingston Society)

Queen's Promenade Friends was crowned the People's Choice Award. Started in 2019 by Julian Meers, the project is ongoing. The jurors commended the area as a "model for recognising the potential in a neglected corner of our townscape and then corralling the energy and imagination of a dedicated volunteers to create something new, beautiful and of value to a huge number of Kingston people".

A nominator's submission comment read: "The Queen's Promenade has been transformed very imaginatively by volunteers. I am an elderly local resident and have found new beauty for my daily walks. Resting on the bench in the Sensory Garden has massively improved my mental health...It brings tears of joy, they have brought happiness back."

Siden Mews. (Photo: The Kingston Society)

Winner of the new built category was Siden Mews in Surbiton. Developed by Rocco Homes, the site was praised for its transformation from a former builders' merchant yard into a development of 16 residences which capitalise on space and blends in the surrounding townscape.

Siden Mews was praised the architectural integrity – something Jurors would like to see repeated in other small housing developments in Kingston.

St. Matthew's Parish School. (Photo: The Kingston Society)

St. Matthew's Parish School won the Refurbishment category. One of the oldest buildings in Tolworth, both jurors praised the rescue of this significant building as a "triumph". Not only has the building been restored to its original purpose- a school- and created nine apartments, its elevations and have been preserved to keep the character of the build.

Landscape and Ecology categories were combined into one single category: Greenscape. This is because the committee found considerable overlap between the nominations.

Berrylands Nature Reserve. (Photo: The Kingston Society)

In the new Greenscape category, Berrylands Nature Reserve won a resounding victory. A dedicated group of Friends of Berrylands Nature Reserve have looked after the natural heritage and preserved ecological habitats. For the Jurors, this development provides an example to the rest of Kingston of the imaginative way that a local team can amplify people's appreciation of nature and enhances the townscape.

A nominator's submission commented: "Berrylands Nature Reserve is a much-loved wild green community space, which provides the perfect environment for discovering lots of special local wildlife, an enjoyable place to take a walk with a furry companion, or as a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life."

This year, 2023, the Society paid homage to Neil Philpott and Tony Leitch recognising their pivotal work as past Chairmen of the Kingston Society.