A conservation architect of more than thirty years' experience, James' work has been recognised with both the SPAB John Betjeman Award (2005) and a Georgian Group Award (2010). His new classical house, The Mount, has featured in the latest edition of Pevsner's The Buildings of England (2006), whilst a cloistered design for the Trinity Centre, near Shrewsbury, was awarded the EASA President's Award (2008).

As Senior Architect at Arrol Architects, he has contributed to major schemes of restoration and repair at Lincoln Castle and York Minster. An early concept design, for Carline Fields, Shrewsbury, was also selected for inclusion in the Prince of Wales' A Vision of Britain (1989).

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