A £30M development in Durham has won an award from local conservationists.

Millennium Place, which was built with Millennium Commission funding, has been given the City of Durham Trust's architectural commendation for 2002.

The Claypath complex was designed for Durham City Council by David Prichard, of architects MacCormac, Jamieson and Prichard.

It houses the Gala Theatre and Durham Clayport Library. The Citizens Advice Bureau, Connexions youth service and the city's MP Gerry Steinberg all have offices in the building.

Its design was selected by the city council following 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 the accolade, even though the proposed building across the Claypath underpass was omitted.

"It is also a pity that 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 complex with the potential to become a new, distinctive quarter of Durham, without damaging views of the city.

With the theatre's 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 presented to the architects, the council and project managers the Turner Townsend group.