SJ Building and Maintenance, a Barry contractor that does most of its work in Penarth, has received two Vale of Glamorgan Council Building Control Excellence Awards for 2021, being named Best Local Builder for the second time since 2014.

They also won the Best Ext/Alteration Highly Commended award for their remarkable renovation of Tower Hill, the old Coastguard Observation Tower.

Following the design from 1010 Architects, Steve James and his team modernised the iconic building while preserving the original stone facade.

The project entailed internal wall removal, installing a roof garden, and tastefully blending the old with the new.

Steve said he relished the challenge of the complex build.

"It's great! We were honoured to work on that one. It was really a challenge to keep it all in-keeping and preserve the tower while also adding the modern twist."

The company specialise in Penarth extensions and conversions, sourcing masonry in-keeping with the town's idiosyncratic architecture from Bridgend.

Their attention to detail and build quality is reflected in the criteria of the "Best Builder" award":

- Vernacular building reflecting local

traditions and construction materials

- Consistency of high quality craft skills

- A history of repeating good quality work

- Local, small scale projects in the domestic

or new build market

"We're really honoured to have received it," Steve tells Nub News.

"We've won numerous awards since 2014 - about about seven I think in total including best extensions, best new build and best local builder three times - so it feels great to know that all the hard work hasn't gone unnoticed.

"We've got a good friendly team of workers and we always make sure we do the best we can."

Among the other awardees were W.K. Plasterers LTD.

They, alongside CFW Architects, won the Best Social Housing award for the renovation of what was once St Paul's Church in Penarth into social dwellings.

According to the Building Excellence Awards brochure, the building, "over time had started to deteriorate and become and eye sore to the community.

"The front facade of the building has been retained, this consists of stonework with bath stone window frames and arches. The elevation was retained by structural

scaffolding during the building work and has been cleaned.

"At the end it is intended to reinstall stainglassed windows to this elevation. The rear of the property was demolished and has been rebuilt in metal framed construction. Behind the old church façade, they have created a state-of-the-art block of apartments for use by the local Newydd Housing Association.

"The builder has kept Building Control informed of changes and problems throughout the scheme which has resulted in modern dwellings built for the 21st Century."

We have been unable to reach W.K. Plasterers for comment.