The New Forest is well known for its free roaming animals, wide open heathland and ancient commoning traditions.

But the area’s distinctive and attractive buildings also make an important contribution to its unique character.

Now the best new developments over the past three years have been recognised in the New Forest National Park Authority’s second annual Building Design Awards.

The awards aim to celebrate high quality development and recognise the contribution that excellent design makes to the built environment of the New Forest.

The Design Awards panel was made up of National Park Authority members and was tasked with determining the best schemes across three categories:

• individual building

• extension

• large development.

The winner of the individual building category was Naboths Vineyard, Minstead, submitted for an award by chartered surveyor Robert Davis. The panel noted that this house’s simple design epitomises Forest character. The use of traditional materials and its scale and positioning on the plot all contribute to the traditional character of this cottage-style dwelling.

The panel also issued a certificate of high commendation to Woodis, Setley, which is clad in timber to mirror the woodland surrounding the property.

In the extension category the award went to The Cottage, Redlynch, nominated for the award by Redlynch Parish Council. This extension is exceptionally well detailed and complements the character of the main cottage.

The best larger development was The Boltons, Lyndhurst nominated by the developer Hannover Housing. The panel noted that the detail of this scheme is exceptional and it makes the most of a constrained site. They said the landscaping of the scheme had been carried out to a high standard and it should be praised for complementing the character of the existing town centre.

Pat Wyeth, chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority’s Planning Committee, said: ‘Around 1,000 planning applications are submitted in the National Park each year – 84 per cent of which are approved - and as the planning authority we appreciate the importance of good design in the National Park.

"We are pleased to be rewarding buildings that have been positively received by those living in or visiting the National Park and would like to thank all the residents, parish councils and architects for nominating projects for an award.

"We were pleased with the quality of buildings put forward and the panel felt that the winning schemes make a positive contribution to the character of the built environment of the New Forest. Congratulations to all the winners."

Engraved wooden awards were presented to the winning schemes at a full National Park Authority meeting at the end of March.

To find out how to enter the next Building Design Awards visit out more at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/buildingawards