A NEW housing development that is said to blend into its surroundings "as if it had always been there" has won recognition from Malvern Civic Society.

Judges presented the 2002 Civic Society Award to Malvern's Severn Vale Construction for its Oxford Square development in Link Top.

They praised the complex of cottage-style housing, which backs on to a central courtyard, for the way the design is sympathetic to its setting.

The annual award scheme aims to stimulate better standards in contemporary design, restoration and conservation. It recognises not only excellence in architecture and design, but also the way in which buildings blend in with their surroundings.

Oxford Square was chosen from four nominations after the five-strong judging committee visited each site to consider its merits.

At Oxford Square, they particularly liked the use of different styles of cottages, providing a country cottage appearance, not a mass-produced 19th Century urban feel.

Katharine Barber, chairman of Malvern Civic Society, said the award, which consists of a plaque, was intended as recognition for good design in the town.

"I think it gives an incentive for people to strive to produce something of great quality," she said.

Of the other nominated projects, Laing's Fairoaks Garden in St James' Road was praised for interesting herringbone-style brickwork and well-designed porches, while a garage on Wyche Road was "beautifully proportioned, well built with imaginative use of Malvern Stone".

Jubilee Court (formerly Trumps) on Victoria Road had been renovated to a very high standard, according to the judges. However, much of the renovation was to the interior of the building, which falls outside the scope of the award.