THE York Handmade Brick Company has been shortlisted for a major award in the 2019 Brick Awards.

The independent brickmaker, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has been recognised for its work on the new Loxley Stables self-build development near Tring in Hertfordshire.

It has been shortlisted in the small housing development category in the awards, which are regarded as the Oscars of the brick industry, and which take place in London on Wednesday, November 13.

David Armitage, York Handmade chairman, said: "We were very proud to receive recognition for our work on Loxley Stables and to know that we have made it on to a highly competitive short list.

"We have an excellent history in the Brick Awards. We first won an award in 1995 with the Supreme Brick Building award for St Brigid’s Church in Belfast. We haven’t looked back since then, holding our own against our bigger and better-known competitors."

Set in the grounds of an early 16th century Grade II listed historic house stables, Loxley Stables is a new development of three low-energy timber frame houses in which brick was an essential part of their design and construction.

Paul Thomas, of architects Thomas and Spiers, said: "David and Guy Armitage understood the brief and historic sensitivities, and rather than simply being a 'supplier of bricks', they became an integral part of the design process from the selection process to the intricate detailing.

"Numerous specials were effortlessly developed and produced by York Handmade to accommodate cantilevered corners, deep brick soffits to the south westerly facades and the barn owl boxes integrated into the soffits. As a result, the three houses nestle into the landscape and sit comfortably against the original farmhouse."

Other York Handmade successes in the awards include its restoration of the Belvedere and Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden at Dumfries House in Scotland in 2015; and a hat trick of wins in 2012, including for Tupgill Cellar, near Middleham, and Chetham' School of Music in Manchester.