The society also branded the most of the city's housing developments offensive ahead of its 2007 design awards.

Judges claim they have struggled to find any schemes meriting one of their plaques or even a certificate of commendation, despite the many new projects being completed across the district.

The society was due to hold its annual general meeting last night where plaques were expected to be awarded to the council's refurbishment of Crown Court yard, and to Red, on George and Crown Yard.

Kate Taylor, of the civic society, said: "This has generally been a very disappointing two years. The refurbishment of Crown Court is absolutely outstanding and we wish that other parts of Wakefield could be transformed in this exciting way.

"But on the whole we were sadly unimpressed by what has happened in the city in the past two years. The quality of design of most of the massive housing developments is quite offensively poor."

Certificates of commendation were also set to be awarded to the White Rose housing development on the corner of Castle Road and Barnsley Road, and for another Barnsley Road housing block at Manygates Park.

Other commendations of note were the refurbishment of a pair of cottages in Charlotte Street Yard and the conversions of both Grove Road and Zion Chapels.

The Barber's Boy in Vicarage Street and the Earth Collection in Northgate were due to be given commendations. Pravda, on Queen Street, was commended as were the Pinnacle apartments, on Ings Road.