Swindon builder scoops top gong in national building awards

Lee Donnelly, of Donnelly Construction, had already laid the foundations for the prestigious title at the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) People and Place awards in London, after winning the West of England title last year.

Lee was nominated for the regional and subsequent national awards by Swindon Borough Council’s Building Control team.

Each year, LABC hold regional and national awards recognising outstanding projects and people and the awards are highly regarded in the industry.

The national awards, judged by impartial experts within the building control industry, highlight innovative solutions, effective working relationships and professional standards throughout all parties involved in any particular project.

Lee has worked in the Swindon area as a local builder for 34 years on various domestic projects.

He was nominated for his diligence in attending local authority construction seminars to keep up to date with industry changes and improvements, the commitment and dedication he shows in all his projects and the high praise he receives from his customers.

On receiving the award, Lee added: “I am absolutely delighted to accept this award and sincerely appreciate the attention and recognition that the building inspectors at Swindon Borough Council have given to my projects when visiting site.

“This is definitely one of the proudest moments of my career. I would like to thank the Swindon Building Control Team for their support over the years. To all my customers, I am eternally grateful as without their projects I would not have been selected for this award.”

Two other regional award winners also made it through to the national finals.

A housing scheme comprising 14 adaptable bungalows in Pilgrim Close, Shaw, built by the Council-owned Swindon Housing Company and Rigg Construction, was in the category of Best Medium Volume New Housing Development.

BAM Construction was also among the national entrants in the category of Non-residential Best Public or Community Building for Kingfisher CE Academy, a new primary school for nursery and reception pupils in Wichelstowe.

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) is a member organisation bringing together skills and knowledge of around 3,800 professional Building Control staff around the country. These teams work alongside homeowners, designers, fire safety professionals and leading figures in construction.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, said: “To have three nominees and projects through to the national finals of the LABC awards is a tremendous achievement in itself, but to have a winner among them is absolutely fantastic.

“I would like to add my huge congratulations to Lee for winning his award as it is clear from his testimonials and the feedback from our Building Control team that he seeks excellence in everything that he does. I am also really proud that the Pilgrim Close development and Kingfisher Primary were national finalists as they are both excellent projects in their own right.”

The Council’s Building Control team offers help and advice for any building or home improvement project. You can contact the team by email at: bcontrol@swindon.gov.uk or call 01793 466050.

Picture: Lee Donnelly (centre) collecting his award with his wife Julie, alongside impressionist Jon Culshaw after scooping the award for Best Residential and Small Commercial Builder at the LABC national awards