THE finest new buildings in Cheltenham have been held up for acclaim.

The winners of the Cheltenham Civic Awards 2009 were revealed after judges considered the best structures and renovations to go up over the past year.

The winning entries were the Parabola Arts Centre at Cheltenham Ladies' College, the Edward Jenner Gardens off the lower High Street and a major restoration project at 96 Winchcombe Street.

Stephen Clarke, chairman of Cheltenham Civic Society, said the winning entries set the standard for new buildings in the town for the future.

"The winning entries were judged to be exemplary," he said.

"They are structures which have a real impact on improving the town through their excellent design.

"We had a diverse range of winners – a place where people can go for cultural pursuits, an outdoor park and an outstanding restoration project in Winchcombe Street.

"The overall standard of entries was very high."

The Civic Awards, which are sponsored by Cheltenham Borough Council, are part of an annual scheme to celebrate the town's best and most innovative designs.

The Parabola Arts Centre, in Bayshill Road, a £12.5 million auditorium that was completed last October, was named as the town's best new building.

Vicky Tuck, headteacher at the Ladies' College, said: "We are delighted the centre has been given the award.

"It took about 18 months to go up and was several years in the planning, but it was all worth it.

"Now we've got a facility for the community to be proud of for years to come."

The award for the most improved built or landscape environment went to the Jenner Gardens, a restored garden dedicated to pioneering medic Edward Jenner, who lived in Cheltenham.

Councillor John Webster (LD, St Mark's), who worked with residents to restore the gardens, said: "The project rescued a space which was previously derelict and has made it a great place for visitors to enjoy.

"Winning a Civic Award is a great achievement for all those who worked to hard to carry the project though."

The best building restoration was awarded to 96 Winchcombe Street, a former launderette that was transformed into a modern block of flats.

Peter Holmes, a partner at Potter and Holmes architects who carried out the project with developers TADCL, said: "We took what was a derelict building, demolished part of the rear, and produced some excellent flats.

"It's a project I am particularly proud of as it is a huge improvement on what was there before."

Numerous other structures received commendations, including a new reception area at Sue Ryder Care's Leckhampton Court Hospice and a restored facade at the Bank House in Clarence Street, which is owned by Wetherspoon's.