A former Somerset boat builder whose farm diversification project has been voted the best in the West in architectural terms, will this week receive a major award from Somerset MP David Heathcoat-Amory.

Ian Tucker's Park Corner Farm, which is home to a state of the art bottled water production facility where every possible aspect of the design encompasses recyclable or renewable materials, was the final choice for the best new rural building in the CLA Rural Buildings Award Scheme in the South West region.

The scheme, which is run in association with Knight Frank, was launched by the CLA, the rural economy experts, last year - with the aim of bringing the best examples of new and converted buildings into the spotlight.

Part of the judging criteria is that the buildings are in sympathy with their rural surroundings and have a low environmental impact.

CLA South West director, John Mortimer, says the standard of workmanship at Park Corner Farm was so high that the judges were hard pressed to spot any difference between the new buildings and the neighbouring original farm buildings.

"This is a new build project that is so at home in its surroundings that it is almost indistinguishable from the original farmhouse and buildings," he said.

Originally set up to meet the demand for thousands of bottles of local spring water from the Glastonbury Festival, the business became so successful that Mr. Tucker decided to expand and in 2004 took over Park Corner Farm, a former Somerset County Council farm which was in need of renovation.

Most of the work was carried out by Mr. Tucker and his two sons. Externally the building has been designed and built to appear as if it has been there for a hundred years and the project involved the careful reclamation and reuse of materials from the original buildings. Environmental considerations were also given detailed attention and priority and the project uses solar and geothermal energy sources and incorporates natural materials such as sheep's wool insulation.

"Nothing in the business complex is original - which gave rise to considerable confusion because the building standard is so high. Glastonbury Water is a flourishing and expanding business, providing a variety of jobs and contributing positively to the local rural economy," said Mr. Mortimer.