<b><b>Once again the private sector has fared well in the Housing Design Awards, with innovative and ambitious schemes catching the eye of the judges. Stephen Mullin reports on the winning schemes and two special awards for Copthorn Homes with architect Proctor Matthews</b></b><br><b>The Housing Design Awards hold a special place in the industry because of the way they follow schemes through from the drawing board to completion. Developments in England and Northern Ireland of four or more dwellings can be entered either as projects, which have to have detailed planning permission, or as completed schemes. The overriding criterion for both is design excellence - internal, external and in the overall layout. </b><br><b><br> </b><p></p><p> The Point in Bristol, a completed scheme award winner for Crosby Homes designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley</p><p><b><b>public/private split</b></b><br> Housebuilders had the edge this year over the public sector. Out of the 13 awards, private sector schemes scored seven and affordable housing projects scored five, the remaining public sector scheme being something of a hybrid: a remarkable conversion of two small warehouses in Liverpool into 12 shared ownership flats and two penthouses for sale. The assessors praised Preston Point for its imaginative loft style interiors, and for the &amp;“meticulous&amp;” …