Dorset Chartered Builders, Greendale Construction, are celebrating after one of their most iconic and historical renovation projects has been awarded the National Lottery Heritage Award.
Durlston Castle underwent a £5.5 million renovation and refurbishment programme, which was partly funded by a National Lottery Heritage Fund contribution, and on which Poole based Greendale Construction were main contractors. The Grade II listed Castle and Victorian folly, on the verge of dereliction before the works began, was completed in November 2011 and can now boast to being an educational ‘hub’ with an impressive new visitor centre, interactive displays and exhibitions, a gallery, restaurant, outstanding landscaped grounds and facilities to host weddings and conferences.
The National Heritage Award was presented yesterday at Durlston by popular actor and presenter, Larry Lamb, with the official presentation and awards ceremony to televised on BBC1 in December.
Greendale Director, Rob Hooker said, “For Greendale’s as main contractors on the Durlston Project, it is terrific that the work in transforming and saving the castle has been recognised by the voting public.
This National accolade will provide rightful publicity for what is an amazing folly in a breathtakingly beautiful location. We would like to thank all the team involved and all those who voted.”