ENERGY-saving solutions at two Oxford buildings have been recognised with a prestigious annual award.

The David Steel Sustainable Building Award aims to recognise developments that include green solutions and environmentally-friendly designs.

It is given each year in memory of David Steel – a city council officer who died in 2006 – after he contributed to the work of the council’s climate change action team.

The first award went to Tattersalls in Islip Road, Summertown, four properties built to high environmental standards, including ground-source heat pumps and triple glazing.

The homes are named in memory of two sisters who used to live on the site.

Peter Haxworth, 72, lives with wife Anna Evans in 2 Tattersalls, a new detached home.

A 1930s single-storey cottage at 1 Tattersalls, has also been restored by Mr Haxworth and his wife, and the property is now being let.

Two semi-detached properties, 3 and 4 Tattersalls, have been built by developers Yaffler.

Oxford-based Riach Architects worked on the Tattersalls project with Haxworth Architects, and the homes were completed in 2011.

Mr Haxworth said: “We are delighted with the award. We used to live in an Edwardian house nearby in Islip Road and there are very significant energy savings in the new house – our energy costs are only a third of what they used to be.” The second award was for student accommodation at Somerville College, consisting of 68 student rooms, and new teaching and library archive facilities on the Radcliffe Infirmary site off Woodstock Road.

Energy-efficient measures included solar panels and ground-source heat pumps.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Dee Sinclair said: “I hope this will encourage more developers to think about environmental issues when they build properties in the city. I’m also pleased that we can recognise the work that David did for the council.”

The winners received a plaque produced from recycled glass and the presentation took place at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour on Tuesday.

Somerville College principal Dr Alice Prochaska said: “Somer-ville’s students have told me how much they appreciate the quality of their new accommodation blocks – so much so that demand for college accommodation has significantly increased since their opening in 2011.

“For so many of our students, the environmental impact of the college is as important as the comfort of the facilities and these two buildings address both those concerns in equal measure.

“It has always been important for Somerville to push the boundaries in many fields, and it is wonderful to know that the college is home to cutting edge, resource-efficient and sustainable technology. “ College treasurer Andrew Parker added: “I know how hard the design and construction teams worked to produce two buildings of this quality, and the award is much deserved.”