A STUDENT from the Lake District is this year’s winner of the Acorus prize at Harper Adams University – and has won praise from an industry expert for her work.

The prize is given to the winning student assignment in a land and property module covering rural planning and development. It is judged by Harper Adams alumnus Anthony Atkinson, Rural Planning Director at Acorus Rural Property Services, who selected this year’s winner as Ella Mounsey.

Ella is a second year BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management student from near Kendal.

She said: “It was nice to be rewarded for something I put hard work into.

“I have really enjoyed my course for the past two years, its variety and relevance to the rural environment is something I really love - alongside its practical nature, as it can be applied to real life scenarios.”

Ella’s study examined the planning application process, how local and national planning policies - and various third parties – can impact the decision-making process, and the implications each can have on landowners and stakeholders.

Her assignment has secured her the £150 Acorus prize.