WELNEY Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Visitor Centre has won an award acknowledging its work in the field of biodiversity sustainability. The Civic Trust Awards committee commended the environmentally friendly placement of the new visitor centre, with judges

WELNEY Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Visitor Centre has won an award acknowledging its work in the field of biodiversity sustainability.

The Civic Trust Awards committee commended the environmentally friendly placement of the new visitor centre, with judges praising the design as "sensitively placed within its rural surroundings."

Completed in 2006, and costing £3.5million, the building was constructed using environmentally friendly techniques - something which was also noted by the judges.

Welney Wildfowl Trust's Director of Centre Developments, Kevin Peberdy, expressed the trust's delight at winning the award, whilst highlighting the need for further work in the field of biodiversity sustainability, "the new visitor centre and footbridge at WWT Welney highlights the importance of managing activities and natural resources sustainably.

"We are thrilled that WWT's commitment to the environment has been recognised in this way"

The new visitor centre has also been recognised for its architectural invention by picking up a Royal Institute of British Architecture Award nomination.

Eleven buildings in the east were shortlisted for the prize, with Welney's new visitor centre being recognised for its distinctive stilt structure.

Director of RIBA East, Louise Todd, praised each of the building's "stunning" design.

The winners of the awards will be announced on 17th May and will then go on to be considered for the RIBA National Awards.

Photos: SUPPLIED.