The Best Housing Solution Award

About the award

This award recognises outstanding housing developments that truly serve the countryside and its communities. We’re celebrating homes that go beyond bricks and mortar – developments that are thoughtfully designed, environmentally responsible, and deeply rooted in local needs.

Entries are now closed.

Celebrating innovative housing in the Hampshire countryside

We’re looking for inspiring housing projects across the Hampshire countryside that demonstrate some or all of these values. Whether large or small, new builds or thoughtful countryside conversions, we welcome entries that show a commitment to sustainable design, community involvement, affordability, and environmental sensitivity. If your project supports local people, skills, and nature while helping to shape a better rural future, we want to hear from you.

We’re looking for projects that demonstrate:

• Responsiveness to Local Needs and Policy
  Developments that reflect the unique character and requirements of their setting, aligning with local planning frameworks and priorities.
• Creative Use of Brownfield Land
  or the regeneration of existing buildings, in alignment with our brownfield first strategy.
• Sustainable Development at Every Level
  From energy efficiency to resource-conscious construction, these homes are built with the future in mind.
• Environmental Sensitivity Through Design
  Developments that minimise their footprint through thoughtful siting, the regeneration of existing buildings, and designs that are sympathetic with the surrounding landscape – whether through conversion, adaptive reuse, or careful integration of new structures.
• Low Carbon Travel Integration
  Schemes that support greener lifestyles by encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport use.
• Support for Local Economy and Skills
  Projects that champion the rural economy by using locally sourced materials, employing traditional and modern rural skills, and creating opportunities through local employment or apprenticeship schemes – helping communities thrive both during and beyond construction.
• Tackle the Housing Crisis
  Developments that provide genuinely affordable homes for local people, helping to address rural housing shortages and support balanced, inclusive communities where people of all ages and incomes can live and thrive.
• Designs that Promote Health and Wellbeing
  Environments that enhance quality of life through thoughtful design, natural light, green space, and community connection.
• Nature-Friendly Landscaping
  Projects that protect and enhance biodiversity, integrating nature into the built environment.
• Meaningful Community Involvement
  Developments shaped by the people who live there – through consultation, neighbourhood planning, and tools like Village Design Statements. We’re recognising projects that listen, adapt, and empower local voices.

We welcome projects of all sizes from across the Hampshire countryside that demonstrate some or all of these qualities.

Who can apply?

• Please read the category descriptions, criteria and eligibility information carefully. If you are not sure which category to enter please contact opsmanager@cprehampshire.org.uk and we can help.
• An individual, organisation or group can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else. However, all individuals or organisations need to give permission to be nominated.
• Projects must be within Hampshire.
• The nomination must be relevant to work taken place from 1st January 2024 to present.
• Past projects are entitled to re-enter but entries must contain new elements on which they will be judged.
• You may enter into more than one category.

Why apply?

• Celebrate Your Impact on people, place, and planet
• Gain Recognition from peers, professionals, and the wider community
• Inspire Others with your approach to rural housing
• Boost Your Profile and attract future opportunities
• Champion Rural Innovation and sustainable development

Winners will receive a £100 prize and gain automatic entry into the CPRE National Centenary Awards, giving your project the recognition it deserves on a larger stage.

On the award application form you will be asked to provide:

• Details about the project and your connection to it
• Contact details
• Information about your digital presence including social media profiles and website address
• Project information, including a 400 word brief description
• Supporting evidence, which may include additional documents, short films or videos
• Up to five supporting photos which will be used to promote the awards as well as your entered project or person
• Details about volunteer contributions including volunteer hours and numbers, if applicable.

Ready to enter?

• Complete the online entry form and submit with supplementary information. Alternatively, download the Countryside Awards Entry Form 2025. Details of where to email or post the award nomination are available on the form.
• The deadline for entries is 5pm on Monday 29th September 2025.