ONE of the most historic buildings in Ledbury, the newly-restored Master's House, is in line for major national recognition, after top architects named it as Building of Year for the West Midlands region.

The Master's House, on St Katherine's car park, has just won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Building of the Year Award, and the Conservation Project of the Year Award, both in the RIBA Regional Awards for 2016.

The fifteenth century Master's House, which was restored at a cost of £3.2m, to house the new town library, fought off tough competition to win.

Eight buildings were short-listed for the award, from across the West Midlands.

Rachel Lambert, Heritage and volunteering coordinator for Herefordshire Council and the Masters House said: "We're delighted that The Master's House has won such a prestigious award.

"It is greatly deserved and a vindication of the persistence, commitment and support of the restoration process from the people of Ledbury, Butler Hegarty and Herefordshire Council."

She added:"Investment in this kind of high quality, community, cultural and heritage site is a proven route to engagement with heritage, education and well being. I'm thrilled to be part of the team that delivers such a successful programme of activities, events and services."

RIBA said of the Master's House and the work of architects, Butler Hegarty: "Butler Hegarty Architect’s forensic exploration, imaginative reshaping, and painstaking restoration of this building, was supported throughout by the enthusiasm of the building’s band of local volunteer ‘friends’, and was sustained by the commitment of owner client, Herefordshire Council.

"Together they have successful integrated an accessible design into the historic fabric of The Master's House, and reconnected the building to its context and local community.

"The architects demonstrate commendable attention to detail and a fluent approach to design, combining careful and sensitive restoration of each main historic era of original construction, with modest and elegant contemporary insertions, and purpose designed furniture and fittings."

Contractor Speller Metcalfe of Malvern was praised for "having achieved a high level of craftsmanship, with carefully repaired medieval timber frame, insulation of walls and new ‘second over’ roof using Hempcrete and clay tiles, the use of lime plaster and natural finishes, and new internal timber joinery".

With new life breathed into it, the building now provides a library, a base for local authority and voluntary services, a visitor attraction, and starting point for orientation and interpretation of medieval Ledbury.

The Master's House has achieved a 40% increase in library membership and book loans in its first year of operation, and has become adopted as a social hub by the community in Ledbury.

The library, which moved to the Master's House, on St Katherine's car park, from the Elizabeth Barrett Browning Institute, has attracted 685 new members during the past 12 months, and 53,100 items have been borrowed and reserved for members.

In total, more than 99,500 people have visited the Master's House and Ledbury Library since the revamped venue re-opened, a year ago.

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: "It demonstrates the potential of good architecture to enhance the civic life of the community."

Regional winners will also be considered for a coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, which will be announced in June.

The short-list for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings later in the year.