THE £30m development that houses Durham City's Gala Theatre has won an award from local conservationists.

Millennium Place, built with Millennium Commission funding, has been given the City of Durham Trust's Architectural Commendation for 2002.

The complex, on the site of a car park in Claypath, was designed for Durham City Council by David Prichard of architects MacCormac, Jamieson and Prichard.

It houses the £14m theatre, the Durham Clayport Library and offices for Durham Citizens' Advice Bureau, the Connexions youth service and Labour MP Gerry Steinberg.

The design was chosen by the council after a competition.

Trust secretary Dr Douglas Pocock said: "The completed scheme fully justifies the choice of the local authority in selecting this project as winner of its competition in 1996.

"The extensive scheme merits its accolade even though the proposed building across the Claypath underpass was omitted.

"It is also a pity that the stalling of the Walkergate project (the redevelopment that part-funded the development) currently leaves the lower part of the riverside elevation of Millennium Place appearing raw and unfinished.''

Dr Pocock said the architect had created a new complex with the potential to become a new, distinctive quarter of the city without damaging views.

With the theatre design, Mr Prichard had 'succeeded magnificently, combining space and lighting, vision and acoustics, to give a most pleasurable experience, the climax of a welcome and satisfying architectural addition to our city.'

Certificates were given to the architects, the council and project managers the Turner Townsend Group