Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has been submitted. Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has
Housebuilder Keepmoat plans to transform nearly seven acres of unused land in Milton Keynes, building 115 new homes, with 50 meeting the upcoming Future Homes Standard. With a planned total build budget of £21.5 million, the project is due to be completed in March 2026, and will provide a range
LOVELL Partnerships has announced the appointment of a new refurbishment partnerships director, helping to progress social housing and retrofit projects across the West Midlands. With more than 20 years of experience in the housing and construction industry, Matt Hickman has worked in a number of senior management roles and brings
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has committed to investing £83 million into revitalising a former RAF base in Weston-super-Mare as part of a wider regeneration scheme across the seaside town. The Winterstoke Gate development, part of Parklands Village, will provide 425 high-quality new homes, with 135 set to be carbon
A Bellway development in Halstead has been shortlisted in the Essex Housing Awards 2024. Willow Park has been chosen as a finalist in the Large Housing Scheme category of the prestigious awards, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony at the Greenwoods Hotel and Spa in the Essex
Tilia Homes Central has secured approval on plans to develop a 12-hectare derelict brownfield site in Northampton, as part of a multi-million pound programme of regeneration. The housebuilder is collaborating with Homes England on the scheme, which was recommended for approval by the West Northamptonshire Council planning committee recently. The
A breaking-ground ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction work at a new village on the edge of Swindon up to 2,500 homes. Senior figures from housebuilder Vistry Group, Sovereign Network Group (SNG) and Swindon Borough Council gathered to formally place the first spade in the ground
Phased development of south Dorset’s first open-market build-to-rent residential scheme has reached a significant milestone on a landmark site in Dorchester after permitted development rights were confirmed. RTI Estates Ltd is set to add another phase in the conversion of offices at Vespasian House at the top o’ town into
Caddick Construction Group has reached completion of Stonebridge Beck, Rushbond’s brand new “heritage village” at the Grade II listed Stonebridge Mills in Leeds. Handover of the development marks the completion of a £25m renovation and new-build project to create 112 residential properties, including mill townhouses, contemporary new build homes and
An apartment used as a ‘home from home’ by the parents of children undergoing treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been given a facelift by the developer which built the property. Staff from Countryside Homes have carried out a full redecoration of the one-bedroom home at its Aura development
Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has been submitted. Proposals for a new environmentally-focused community bringing up to 555 new homes to Bristol have taken a step forward as a planning application has been submitted. Bellway Strategic Land, working closely with Bellway’s South West division, has unveiled its vision for a sustainable and eco-friendly neighbourhood on a 40-acre site next to Brislington Park and Ride in its outline application to Bristol City Council. The land has a draft allocation for housing in the emerging Bristol Local Plan and has featured in previous plans for development in the city. The planning application follows extensive consultation with the local community. This prompted some revisions to the initial proposals, with the designs evolving to lower the height of homes that are close to existing residential areas. New visuals have been released, showing how the development south of the A4 Bath Road could look. The plans feature a mix of apartments and houses, a local centre with shops and community space, ecological habitats, children’s play areas and public open spaces. The new neighbourhood would feature one and two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom houses, with 35 per cent of the properties allocated as affordable housing and a further five per cent set aside for custom and self-build housing. Fergus Thomas, Bellway Strategic Land Director for the Central region, said: “This submission marks a significant step forward in our plans to create a sustainable new community in Bath Road. This is a major project for the area and we have liaised with the city council and the local community to seek people’s views on how we should approach the scheme. “More than 40 per cent of the site area would be green open space, providing new habitats and wetlands for wildlife. There would be recreational routes and play areas for new and existing residents, including the wider community at Hungerford.” The design for the site would see the creation of a new community hub and mixed-use square at the heart of the development. Details of the homes to be built would be determined at a later stage. Fergus said: “Bristol’s housing crisis needs to be addressed, with the waiting list for affordable homes continuing to grow. “Bristol City Council has identified this land as being suitable for housing in its draft Local Plan and we feel this is an ideal scheme to play a part in helping address the huge demand for private and affordable homes in the city.” The purpose of the outline planning application is to establish whether the development can progress and to determine how many homes could be accommodated. The next step would be to apply for reserved matters planning consent to agree detailed matters, such as home designs and layout. Bellway Strategic Land oversees early-stage developments for Bellway. To find out more visit https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/. For more information about the new homes Bellway is currently building in the South West, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/south-west. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Keepmoat plans to transform nearly seven acres of unused land in Milton Keynes, building 115 new homes, with 50 meeting the upcoming Future Homes Standard. With a planned total build budget of £21.5 million, the project is due to be completed in March 2026, and will provide a range of high-quality, multi-tenure homes to add to the thriving community already in the area. The housebuilder will also create multiple types of housing for residents at the site to be named Haworth Place, including much-needed affordable housing stock through a local housing association. The development is located on the edge of Milton Keynes and is close to a variety of amenities such as shops, parks and transport links. The Future Homes Standard legislation update, which is due in 2025, requires all new homes to reduce 75 percent of the carbon emissions and is set out to replace traditional Building Regulations for new dwellings. Keepmoat has invested in new research and development to create an advanced delivery programme of new builds called ‘Echo’ homes, equipped with air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, increased levels of insulation and EV charging points to reduce carbon emissions from the homes. These new technologies will be rolled out across key selected developments in the house builders’ portfolio to begin the advanced delivery project, including within 50 homes at the development in Milton Keynes. Ian McFaul, Interim Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, South Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be regenerating this underdeveloped piece of land in Milton Keynes to deliver 115 high-quality, multi-tenure homes for the local area, including much-needed affordable housing options. The project is also creating a raft of new local jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities, further boosting the local economy and the industry’s future workforce. “As the project continues into the next phase, it’s extremely rewarding to see the excitement about the plans to deliver these homes in this fantastic new town. We’re also proud to be delivering homes featuring anticipated Future Homes Standard technology ahead of the Government-enforced delivery model set to come in next year – a further step in our mission to create sustainable communities for the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LOVELL Partnerships has announced the appointment of a new refurbishment partnerships director, helping to progress social housing and retrofit projects across the West Midlands. With more than 20 years of experience in the housing and construction industry, Matt Hickman has worked in a number of senior management roles and brings a wealth of knowledge to Lovell. Committed to boosting social value in communities, Matt is keen to not only help provide safe, warm and energy-efficienct homes, but to also offer training, development and job opportunities for young people or those in long-term unemployment. Matt said: “Joining Lovell is a very exciting career move for me, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into building relationships with key housing providers and delivering retrofit projects at scale, as well as helping to raise the profile of the fantastic refurbishment side of the business. With more funding coming through from the government this is an opportune time to deliver social housing decarbonisation fund (SHDF) projects throughout the region. “The company culture at Lovell is strong and is something that stood out to me. Inclusion, respect and treating people well are just as important as doing a good job, and providing a positive environment for the team to work in is essential. If our people feel supported then they will deliver the very best for our partners and clients, and that is something Lovell does very well so it’s a pleasure to be part of the team.” Carl Yale, regional refurbishment director at Lovell, said: “Matt is a fantastic addition to our team and has a thorough understanding of and excellent experience in the industry. “Continuing to push forward with our refurbishment and retrofit goals in order to meet the government’s net zero target is extremely important, and we know Matt’s expertise will be invaluable in helping us do this.” Matt’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the team, as Lovell continues to invest in local communities. Working in partnership with Citizen Housing, Coventry College and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Lovell recently delivered the first Multi-Skills Bootcamp, designed to educate adult learners in the Coventry area on a range of employable construction disciplines. The scheme supports the housebuilder’s aim to refurbish over 10,000 homes over a 10-year period, having recently secured a large contract with Citizen Housing to deliver replacement kitchens and bathrooms across Coventry and the wider Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has committed to investing £83 million into revitalising a former RAF base in Weston-super-Mare as part of a wider regeneration scheme across the seaside town. The Winterstoke Gate development, part of Parklands Village, will provide 425 high-quality new homes, with 135 set to be carbon neutral, while the remaining 290 will meet the anticipated Future Homes Standard – featuring a smart design and constructed using the latest eco-friendly materials to offer low-cost living to residents. As part of its commitment to its partnership model, the housebuilder will also support North Somerset Council in creating 125 affordable homes at the development, which makes up part of the wider Parklands Village development being delivered alongside multiple partners. The regeneration and expansion of the seaside town from Keepmoat will total £78 million, with an additional £5.6 million being invested in the local authority across multiple services including healthcare, education and local transportation. Located between Mendip Hills and Golden Sands on the edge of Weston-super-Mare, Winterstoke Gate is a picturesque development with easy access to schools, supermarkets, restaurants and shops, ready to create a thriving new community. John Owen, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, commented: “It’s extremely rewarding to hear positive feedback from residents and provide much needed housing to the area. “At Keepmoat, we are committed to transforming communities and improving the lives of local people. Our Winterstoke Gate development is adding value to the area, providing much needed regeneration to Weston-super-Mare. We’re delighted to be able to offer 20 apprenticeships during the development of this project to upskill the industry’s future workforce.” Councillor Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, added: “Winterstoke Gate is the first major residential project to be taken forward as part of North Somerset’s Development Programme, so it’s great to see the progress made in creating this new community. The homes we’re building will meet top standards of sustainability and energy efficiency, cutting residents’ fuel bills and reducing their carbon footprints through modern, high quality design. “We’re proud to be working with Keepmoat to provide a mix of affordable and accessible homes, so that vibrant and diverse communities can grow at Winterstoke Gate. Building on council-owned land has enabled us to prioritise this strong and community-focussed approach to housing development with an understanding of resident’s needs, fitting the development alongside other new community facilities including primary and secondary schools and a GP surgery.” The site has also benefited from £10m from the Government’s Local Authority Accelerated Construction Fund administered by Homes England. To find out more about the Winterstoke Gate development please visit: www.keepmoat.com/winterstoke-gate-weston-super-mare Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Bellway development in Halstead has been shortlisted in the Essex Housing Awards 2024. Willow Park has been chosen as a finalist in the Large Housing Scheme category of the prestigious awards, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony at the Greenwoods Hotel and Spa in the Essex village of Stock on Thursday 7 November. The Large Housing Scheme award recognises the development of homes (new or refurbished) which make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs and placemaking and improving the image and perception of housing in the county. Bellway Essex has delivered 153 houses for private sale and 65 affordable homes for local people through rent or shared ownership at Willow Park, off Winston Way, alongside more than 30 acres of parkland, footpaths and a children’s play area. Although this project is now complete, Bellway is building on this legacy in Halstead at its Oakfields Park development in the town, where construction is currently in progress. Jenny Walker, Sales Director at Bellway Essex, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected in the finals of the Essex Housing Awards 2024. To be on a shortlist of three in the Large Housing Scheme category is testament to the hard work and effort put in by the whole team in Halstead. “We are very proud of the brand-new neighbourhood which has been established at Willow Park, where there is a distinct community feel. The development design promotes and encourages health and exercise with a large country park and footpaths and cycleways. “This attractive new development not only delivered 218 new homes to meet the specific needs of the local housing market but also brought new jobs in sales and construction during the build life of the site. In addition, Bellway contributed almost £1.7 million to local education, outdoor sports, community buildings and healthcare as part of the planning agreement. “We are now continuing our commitment to delivering high-quality new homes in Halstead at our Oakfields Park development off Tidings Hill. Like Willow Park, the new properties at Oakfields Park are from Bellway’s flagship Artisan Collection, with a wide mix of designs to suit different lifestyles and budgets and the same focus on exceptional quality and customer service.” Bellway Essex is building 80 homes at Oakfields Park, with 52 homes for private sale and 28 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. The team at Oakfields Park won the Showhome of the Year category at the Showhome Awards earlier this year, for the inclusive design of its Thespian showhome and has also been shortlisted in the EG Awards which will be announced in November. Joe Gracey, who has been site manager at both Willow Park and Oakfields Park, won a Quality Award in the National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job competition this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tilia Homes Central has secured approval on plans to develop a 12-hectare derelict brownfield site in Northampton, as part of a multi-million pound programme of regeneration. The housebuilder is collaborating with Homes England on the scheme, which was recommended for approval by the West Northamptonshire Council planning committee recently. The land off Ransome Road in Far Cotton, Northampton, has been left abandoned since the Northampton to Peterborough Branch Railway closed in the 1970s, with the Grade II listed former Midland Railway Locomotive Shed located on the University site to the north of the proposed development. Approximately half of the site was previously used as a landfill area and there has been an ongoing process to remediate the land for future development. The site has had a long-standing allocation in the Local Plan for residential development. Tilia Homes will build 217 homes in a selection of styles, sizes, and designs, including a provision of affordable homes. The development will feature a high proportion of open space and a new play area. Amerjit Atwal, Regional Managing Director for Tilia Homes Central, commented: “Our vision to regenerate this neglected site off Ransome Road has moved closer to becoming a reality. “Restoring landfill land back into usable living and recreational space is essential if we are to meet housing targets and we look forward to turning this once-neglected space into a thriving new community that people are proud to call home. “Our energy-efficient properties would help to alleviate a general housing shortage in Northampton, as we aim to fulfil our mission of supporting people at every stage of the housing ladder. “As well as providing more green, open space that people can enjoy, our proposed development layout also pays particular attention to the provision of additional public parking and the needs of the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A breaking-ground ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction work at a new village on the edge of Swindon up to 2,500 homes. Senior figures from housebuilder Vistry Group, Sovereign Network Group (SNG) and Swindon Borough Council gathered to formally place the first spade in the ground at Lotmead on Friday 23 August. The development, which is a joint venture between Vistry and SNG, has been planned to include a local centre, two primary schools, sports hub and green space on a 417-acre site to the east of Wanborough Road. Lotmead forms part of the wider New Eastern Villages project which is set to provide around 8,000 new homes alongside a range of new employment, health, retail, education and leisure facilities. Vistry Cotswolds will build 214 homes under its Bovis Homes brand in the first phase of Lotmead, known as King George Park, on a 39-acre parcel of land in the south-western part of the wider site. This will include 153 properties for private sale through Vistry’s Bovis Homes brand and 61 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership through SNG. The breaking-ground ceremony was attended by Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins, the council’s corporate director for inclusive economy and sustainability James Coulstock, and director of strategic growth Richard Bell. Also in attendance were James Gibson, development director at SNG, and a delegation from the senior management team at Vistry Cotswolds led by regional managing director Supriya Ray. Councillor Robbins said: “I am delighted we have been able to support the UK’s biggest housebuilder, Vistry, in unlocking this site for over 2,000 homes in the New Eastern Villages (NEV) to show that Swindon is leading the way in delivering the housing growth expected by the new government. “Lotmead will see a significant number of new homes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable, and a brand new community in a village setting complete with schools, green open spaces and local facilities delivering on our missions to build a greener and better Swindon. “I look forward to seeing the development take shape as we continue our drive to meet our housing targets so we build the homes our residents will need now and into the future.” Supriya Ray, regional managing director of Vistry Cotswolds, said: “The New Eastern Villages scheme is one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in the UK. This exciting development will not only help to address the country’s housing shortage but also assist Swindon Borough Council’s aspirations to kick start economic growth in the town and wider region. “Lotmead is one of the first villages to be brought forward within the wider scheme, and will therefore have an integral role to play in the formation of this new community. We are proud to be working in partnership with SNG and the council to deliver the new homes and infrastructure which will create a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood where people will want to live. “Our involvement in this massively important project reflects our partnerships-led approach and further underlines Vistry’s position as the UK’s leading provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes.” As part of the planning agreement for the development, Vistry will be providing a significant investment in local services and infrastructure, which it expects to be in the region of £60 million. This will include contributions towards primary and secondary education, healthcare and road improvements. In addition to this, Vistry will be providing allotments, sports pitches, two equipped play areas, a new road, cycle links, and a sports pavilion. James Gibson, Development Director Regional Managing Director West at SNG, said: “This site is a positive step towards delivering our ambitious plans for tens of thousands of good, affordable, new homes that are much needed. I’m delighted that our joint venture with Vistry will form a vital part of the delivery of this vision in the Swindon area. “To maximise our impact, we’re always looking to work with partners like Vistry that share our vision of building high quality, sustainable neighbourhoods with the range of supporting facilities and infrastructure that will form a thriving community over generations at Lotmead.” Outline planning permission for the Lotmead scheme was granted in 2021 and detailed plans for the first phase of 214 homes were approved by Swindon Borough Council in June this year. Properties will include a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses and eight one-bedroom apartments. The first homes are due to be completed by Summer 2025. For more information about Vistry Group, visit vistrygroup.co.uk. To find out more about SNG, go to sng.org.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Phased development of south Dorset’s first open-market build-to-rent residential scheme has reached a significant milestone on a landmark site in Dorchester after permitted development rights were confirmed. RTI Estates Ltd is set to add another phase in the conversion of offices at Vespasian House at the top o’ town into 37 apartments for up to 144 people adding £11m to this phased project. The company – part of the forward-thinking Dorchester-based property company Redtale Holdings – will deliver a mixture of one, two and three bed flats including penthouse apartments in what is currently the loft. It has received notification from Dorset Council of its right to convert the entire building and loft of Vespasian House under permitted development rights, where the change of use is already acceptable in principle. It also has received ‘right to rise’ confirmation for the loft of the property in the county town. The development will repurpose an iconic building in a brownfield and highly sustainable location as part of RTI’s ongoing regeneration of the county town’s historic Barrack Quarter. RTI, which owns the freehold of the office complex and surrounding land, has opted for a build-to-rent (BTR) development to provide high-quality, flexible short and long-term secure accommodation. BTR is purpose-built housing designed for rent rather than sale. Homes are not sold to investment owners or buy-to-let landlords for traditional open market rental but are owned and managed by the developer or operator. Schemes of this kind typically offer flexible leases from six months up to five years to provide families and workers with modern sustainable homes as well as secure tenures not normally associated with the rental sector. Many schemes also include a range of services and additional space, such as communal lounges or gyms. The plans to breathe new life into Vespasian House comes as NHS organisations based in the building consider alternative arrangements to co-locate with local partners. Chief executive Malcolm Curtis said: “Confirmation of permitted development rights marks another major milestone in this project. “It will be the first build-to-rent scheme in south of Dorset, and possible the whole of the west of the county, enhancing the mix of housing stock and helping to combat the chronic under-supply of rental homes in the area. “In addition to securing the long-term future of an iconic building, it also represents development of an important brownfield site in a highly sustainable location close to the nearby hospital, transport links and all the town centre amenities. “Providing new, high-quality accommodation of this kind for families, workers and professionals will support the growth of Dorchester and its local economy while supporting public services and bringing millions of pounds of investment to the area. “The scheme will meet, or exceed, the required building and sustainability standards, and we very much look forward to sharing more details in due course.” Vespasian House is currently being used as offices by the NHS and was previously occupied by the Inland Revenue. Its conversion will include parking. RTI also has a keen focus on sustainability in the design, construction and use of all its developments, including low and zero carbon technologies. The scheme is part of RTI’s urban regeneration of Dorchester’s historic Barrack Quarter at the top o’ town. This has already included the build completion of a £2.4m development of Barrack House in the northwest corner of the site with nine key worker apartments let to NHS workers and their families. It has also previously converted the former quartermaster’s stores into five townhouses and two apartments for open market sale. In addition, RTI has previously gained planning consent for a residential extension to Vespasian House and a mixed-used building with apartments and commercial space. These plans are unaltered by these plans for further accommodation. National permitted development policies – often known as ‘prior approval’ – for conversion of offices and other types of commercialproperties into homes were first introduced in 2013 and mean change of use is acceptable in principle. Applications are required to meet certain criteria, which have been further eased since the pandemic and onset of remote and hybrid working as well as the decline of town centres. According to latest figures from the House of Commons Library, a total of 102,830 new homes were delivered through change of use permitted development rights from 2015 to 2023 in England. Visit https://redtalegroup.com/ for more details. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction Group has reached completion of Stonebridge Beck, Rushbond’s brand new “heritage village” at the Grade II listed Stonebridge Mills in Leeds. Handover of the development marks the completion of a £25m renovation and new-build project to create 112 residential properties, including mill townhouses, contemporary new build homes and restored cottages. Construction work began in May 2021 and has seen the derelict 19th century mill and cottages restored and refurbished to create a unique residential community spanning 9.1 acres. Preserving the mill’s historic character was a crucial element of the Rushbond project with Caddick restoring and retaining existing features. These included original signage, a cast iron weigh bridge, an internal stone staircase with cast iron balustrade and chimney restoration. Caddick’s work on-site also included the installation of incoming utility services, associated plot drainage, estate infrastructure, ancillary works, highway works and car charging for all properties. The Yorkshire-based construction firm also facilitated 10 local apprenticeships, welcomed two construction T-Level students from Leeds College of Building into work placements, created 100 new jobs in Leeds and engaged with over 700 local pupils through 12 educational visits and workshops. J W Maud, Chairman at Rushbond Plc, comments: “We have been delighted to work with the talented Caddick team and to deliver the Rushbond vision – a respectful, significant heritage anchored residential community, harnessing and preserving Leeds’ gem for a new future.” Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group in Yorkshire and the North East, comments: “Delivering Rushbond’s vision to create Stonebridge Beck and bringing this historic mill site back to life was a project that required meticulous attention to detail and I’m very proud of what the Caddick team has achieved. Preserving history while creating something contemporary and sustainable is a fine balance and the result is a stunning residential development by Rushbond that pays tribute to Leeds’ industrial heritage. “The historic significance of these Georgian and Victorian mills meant that it was important that we worked closely with the planning and heritage officers, as well as registering our site with the Considerate Constructors Scheme to make sure we delivered the development to an impeccable standard.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An apartment used as a ‘home from home’ by the parents of children undergoing treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been given a facelift by the developer which built the property. Staff from Countryside Homes have carried out a full redecoration of the one-bedroom home at its Aura development in Trumpington as part of the company’s ongoing support of the Rhys Daniels Trust. The charity, which provides free accommodation for families close to specialist children’s hospitals across the UK, bought the apartment at Aura – just a five-minute drive from Addenbrooke’s – four years ago Countryside, which is now part of the Vistry Group, agreed to help maintain the property for 10 years, including carrying out regular redecorations and other essential works. The latest redecoration took place earlier this year after Nicky Brody, manager at the Trust, reached out to Vistry to see if they could help. Chris Overton, customer service director at Vistry Central Home Counties, said: “Nicky called the customer service team in the year and asked if we could do a few bits of touching up, but we said it would make more sense for us to carry out a full redecoration as it would look better for new guests for the year. “We’ve kept to the original colour of white as it does not age and we hope this will create a more welcoming and relaxing environment for parents at what must be an incredibly stressful and difficult time of their lives. “Nicky and the team don’t like to ask, but we are here to help should they need us. The Rhys Daniels Trust is such an incredible charity and one we’re extremely proud to support. Painting a few rooms may seem like a small thing to us but it can make a huge difference to the families who stay here while their child is undergoing treatment.” Nicky Brody, Manager at the Rhys Daniels Trust, said: “For the past four years, since the Trust purchased the flat at the Aura development in Trumpington, the team at Countryside Homes has been very supportive of what we do here at the charity. Right from the start they signalled their support by furnishing the apartment free of charge, which was a huge help. “The team has been providing maintenance services at the flat since we have been here, ensuring that the families that stay here are at their most comfortable, to help make it as stress-free as possible for them. “We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year and would not be able to be here without the support of some truly wonderful companies. On that note, we would like to say a big thank you to Countryside Homes for its continued support which helps us to carry on providing our free ‘Home from Home’ service for families.” The Trust, which is based in Essex, also provides a free ‘home from home’ property for families whose children are being treated at King’s College Hospital in London, Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. Countryside Homes is part of Vistry Group, which also includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes. Vistry is building under its Countryside Homes brand at the St Michael’s Hurst and St James’ Park developments in Bishop’s Stortford. For more information, visit countrysidehomes.com. Further details about the Rhys Daniels Trust can be seen at www.rhysdanielstrust.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
