Buildings were in danger of falling beyond repair

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has praised Norfolk County Council-owned NPS Consultancy for its work on Eaton Park, Norwich.

It was highly commended in a competition to find the best building projects in the region.

It has also received a craftsmanship award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

This was awarded for the work to install new gates at the yacht pavilion. The Eaton Park project involved the restoration of the park's main pavilion (including the cafe), the bandstand, yacht pavilion and yacht pond on behalf of Norwich City Council.

Lottery help

Almost �500,000 was spent on general landscaping works.

Mike Britch, NPS managing director, said: "To have our work recognised by the RICS in this manner is a great honour.

"We are delighted to have played an important part in restoring such an important facility to its former glory.

"It's now in tip-top condition once again and is undoubtedly a very attractive facility for people in Norwich and Norfolk to enjoy."

The work was carried out with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and match funding from Norwich City Council.

NPS worked closely with English Heritage during the restoration period amid concern that the existing buildings would have been damaged beyond repair if the work had not been carried out.

As part of the project, photographs showing the park at the time of the opening of the park were sought out, as were the original drawings dating back to the 1920s.