An external assessor will visit in October to judge the multi-million pound refit of the House of Keys, Legislative Council and Tynwald chambers and the Wedding Cake offices, which was completed this year.

The Civic Trust Awards scheme intends to reward new buildings, restorations, public art or landscape schemes in a rural setting.

Stephen Moore, building conservation officer for the Department of Local Government and the Environment, said: 'What happens now is the nomination gets sent off to an external assessor who, more often than not, will be an architect.

'They will wander around the building with myself and a local representative who acts as someone who can explain about the building in its local context.'

The assessment goes to the national panel, a small group of experts, which make the final decision.

Mr Moore, who refused to reveal who was behind the nomination, said the emphasis will be the building's 'quality'.

He said: 'It will be about looking at the initial design of the building right down to the end product.'

As well as demonstrating top architecture and environmental design, potential award winners will also need to show what benefit each project brings to its local area and community.
The Island has gained Civic Trust Awards in the past and Mr Moore said it was good to have the Island recognised within the UK context.

The Wedding Cake and former registry building next door were refurbished to create new accommodation for members, an improved library and better public access.

Work started in mid-2003 — when parliamentary sittings were transferred to a temporary home in St George's Court — and was expected to cost £9.3 million.

However, the bill rose to almost £12m after the true extent of dry rot was discovered.

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