THE architect behind the controversial plans for a glass-fronted fish cafe at Babbacombe Downs has scooped a prestigious award.

Brixham architect Stan Bolt scooped the Daily Telegraph Contemporary House of the Year Award.

The dramatic cliff-top property, complete with two-storey glass barrel, makes the most of sweeping coastal views of the Exe estuary from Lympstone.

Controversy surrounds a proposal to create an up-market fish restaurant on the site of the old toilet block at Torquay's Babbacombe Downs.

Acclaimed restaurateur Nigel Bloxham, from Kingskerswell, who owns SeaFare Ltd seafood processing in Paignton and restaurant the Crab House in Dorset, wants to convert the public toilets into a restaurant designed by Mr Bolt.

It will include a glass pavilion at ground level with a semi-public basement restaurant on a lower ground floor level on the cliff top. Viewing platforms on the roof will be maintained.

Mr Bolt worked with the award-winning self-build Salter House with owners Peter and Sue Salter.

Work began in 2004 and included excavations to form a basement swimming pool and cinema room.

It was completed in 2008.

The practice won the same award in 2001 for O'Sullivan House, Salcombe.

Mr Bolt said: "I am delighted. To win the award again is like top and tailing the decade."

Mr Bolt said that the building is a 'response' to the coastal surroundings and makes the most of the views throughout the house.

"Externally the building is unusual but the use of timber means it is in keeping and in scale with its surroundings.

"Inside, the house is spatially interesting and has a connection with the landscape beyond.

"It is a self-build project and the client has gone to extraordinary lengths in its construction. It is in places like a piece of fine furniture."