National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured outline planning consent on behalf of property developer St Modwen for a further component of the residential development at Kingsgrove, north east Wantage. Consent was granted by Vale of White Horse District Council on 5 November. The site lies to the north of
A North East developer is marking a decade in business by targeting ambitious plans to deliver 200 homes per annum by 2025 and promoting its Development Director to Managing Director. With over 30 years in the industry, Richard Bass (54) and from (Whitley Bay), takes on the role at Consett
Zutec, leading construction and quality management software provider, today announces a partnership with the developer, Litchford and its Housebuilder brand, Heatherbrook Homes. The luxury housebuilder has selected Zutec’s Quality Management solutions to digitise manual processes in support of its strategy to prioritise excellence. Established more than 20 years ago, Litchford
MCI Developments, a subsidiary of the national top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat, is celebrating after four of its employees were awarded seven coveted construction industry accolades in just 12 months. The team of individuals – who all work as site managers for MCI Developments across the North West – received Quality
Horsham-based Sigma Homes has secured a 1.9Ha (4.7acres) site in the sought after West Sussex village of Barns Green. The £16m development scheme will deliver 32 highly energy-efficient homes. Located off Chapel Road, the site – to be known as Sumners Fields – is situated in Barns Green’s largely rural
Watford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson North Thames has recently thrown open its doors to work experience for students in and around Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The work experience sectors that were on offer include roles in Sustainability, Sales & Marketing, Land and Legal teams. The housebuilder is looking for eager students
Dandara Living is pleased to welcome Sam Smith back to its senior leadership team, as Operations Director, with responsibility for the company’s current portfolio of almost 3,000 units under management. Sam joins following an extremely busy last 12 months for the business. This included the completion and launch of Dandara
Casa by Moda, the single-family homes (SFH) division of developer and operator Moda Group, has completed the acquisition of 100 units which form part of a wider mixed-residential masterplan in Doncaster. To deliver what will be their third operational neighbourhood across the UK, Casa have acquired 100 high-quality family homes
Primary school pupils from Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy (BFHA) in Newark have recently helped plant three trees at Harron Homes’ nearby development, Bilsthorpe Chase. These trees are the first to be planted at the development, which is set to become home to over 1,200 native trees in the next 2-3
Bellway has been given the go ahead to build a new 220-home development in Hailsham, which will feature seven acres of public open space. The housebuilder is to deliver the new properties on a 24-acre site off Mill Road after receiving planning permission from Wealden District Council. The development, which
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured outline planning consent on behalf of property developer St Modwen for a further component of the residential development at Kingsgrove, north east Wantage. Consent was granted by Vale of White Horse District Council on 5 November. The site lies to the north of A417 and east of the of A338 in attractive market town of Wantage, approximately 15 miles south of Oxford. Kingsgrove is an already-established new community spanning approximately 227 acres. When complete, it will provide up to 1,534 homes, central park, sports facilities, public open spaces, community allotments, a new primary school, retail uses. This new outline consent follows the expiry of the original outline consent and allows for the development of up to 669 residential units and a neighbourhood centre, along with associated infrastructure and open spaces. Approximately 243 of the new homes will be allocated as affordable housing. Within weeks of this planning consent, Carter Jonas also secured reserved matters planning consent on behalf of LSP Developments Limited for a local centre, which will form an integral part of the new development. The local centre is located at the heart of the new community. It will serve a variety of purposes and will include a nursery, and retail units including convenience retail as well as parking. Additional street furniture, EV charging, cycle parking and landscaping, including new trees and shrubs also forms part of the latest planning consent. Nicky Brock, Partner at Carter Jonas in Oxford commented, ‘We are extremely pleased to have helped St Modwen achieve planning consent for what is undoubtedly a very popular, sustainable new development and go some way to addressing the concerning shortage of homes in Oxfordshire.’ William Bayston, Development Director at St Modwen commented, ‘We are delighted to have worked closely with Carter Jonas to secure the latest planning consents for our Kingsgrove development in Wantage. We look forward to continuing to work with them, and the wider community, as we move forward with the delivery of the Kingsgrove community. In achieving planning success, Carter Jonas worked alongside master planners OPEN and engineers Atkins. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A North East developer is marking a decade in business by targeting ambitious plans to deliver 200 homes per annum by 2025 and promoting its Development Director to Managing Director. With over 30 years in the industry, Richard Bass (54) and from (Whitley Bay), takes on the role at Consett based Amethyst Homes, having previous experience in similar regional roles for two other major housebuilders. He said: “I am delighted to take on this role and new challenge, having been with Amethyst Homes for the last three years, I have enjoyed contributing to the company’s continued success. “Starting out in construction at 18, as a Junior Quantity Surveyor, I have been lucky to experience so many different aspects of the sector, as well as a number of outside challenges – recession, housing crashes, skills shortages and most recently, operating during a pandemic. “I think what makes Amethyst Homes different is its approach. As a small regional business, it is committed to recruiting and retaining good, highly skilled people, adaptable and well equipped for the job in hand. Over the last three years we have been establishing a sound business model to deliver our future growth plans and are now looking forward to where we want to be in the next three to five years’ time.” “Vital to our success, our growth plans will be built around our core principles of health and safety, customer service and quality – which are embedded in our business.” Amethyst Homes started its journey in 2013 with just three members of staff. It has grown to now employ 25 and has delivered over 500 homes across five developments – two based in Consett and three further sites in South East Northumberland, Newcastle and at Stillington, Stockton on Tees. Coinciding with Richard’s promotion, Mark Short (57) and from (Consett) has moved across to the new role of Executive Director of Amethyst Homes and will continue to oversee the company’s strategic and operational development and relationship with external organisations/partners, land owners, clients and associate companies of the Dysart Group. Mark brings significant experience having worked as part of the Dysart Group of companies for over 15 years, and having been involved in the initial creation of Amethyst Homes Ltd. He said: “This is an exciting time for Amethyst Homes. Through careful and considered Senior Management changes over the last three years, we have established and continue to develop what I now consider is an energetic, focused and dedicated team within the company. “We will continue to instil and adopt the positive ethic, professionalism, quality, health, safety and welfare and customer focus which were our key aspirations when our then small team established the business over 10 years ago now.” In its eleventh year of trading, Amethyst is projecting a turnover of £11 million this year and plans to invest £5 million in future development schemes. Richard added: “This year has been one of transition, with old schemes completing and new projects starting. We have started work on 48 homes at The Pastures, in East Sleekburn,– following success at our popular Sleekburn View development in the village. Meanwhile, in Newcastle, we will be building 45 properties on a key regeneration site in the west end of the city, to be known as Vallum Heights. “We also have a further three developments in various stages of planning – which if approved – could create a further 500 homes in the region.” Amethyst is committed to the communities in which it builds, having donated over £10,000 to local charities – including Willow Burn Hospice – and providing over £35,000 of sponsorship for North East sporting teams, including Consett Cricket Club, Blyth Town FC and Consett Rugby Club, that play at Amethyst Park. Amethyst’s live development – Regents Park, Consett and its completed site, The Meadows, Stillington – won Premier Guarantee, Quality Recognition Awards (QRA) in 2021, 2022 and 2023 for the high standard of homes delivered. Regents Park achieved further recognition, recently honoured with a coveted national Premier Guarantee Excellence Award for the Best Development of the Year (of over 101 plots) in the North. Last year, Amethyst recruited nine new members of staff, trained two apprentices, and invested over £3m into local jobs, training, and the supply chain. Testament to its commitment to customer service, Amethyst has also been awarded the Gold Standard by In-house Research (an independent analytics company) for its recent customer satisfaction surveys, with 94% of those surveyed saying they would recommend Amethyst Homes to friends and family. *For more information about Amethyst Homes, please visit: www.amethysthomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Zutec, leading construction and quality management software provider, today announces a partnership with the developer, Litchford and its Housebuilder brand, Heatherbrook Homes. The luxury housebuilder has selected Zutec’s Quality Management solutions to digitise manual processes in support of its strategy to prioritise excellence. Established more than 20 years ago, Litchford has recently launched its top-tier brand, Heatherbrook Homes, spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Eddie O’Connor and Leona Melia. The residential housebuilder has always been focused on offering homes of exceptional quality and distinction in Ireland and they wanted technology in place to differentiate themselves and demonstrate a framework of excellence. “People trust us to come out on top for each and every build and our existing manual processes of using paper forms didn’t give us enough oversight to confidently deliver the level of craftsmanship that is expected of us,” said Eddie O’Connor founder of Litchford. “Human error is the biggest obstacle in our business, and we need to make sure execution is predictable and reliable so we can build a culture of being best-in-class. We selected Zutec for Quality Management, as we want our homeowners to love our houses as much as we do, and this means using a system that ensures quality work is delivered to the highest standards the first time around.” By utilising its complete set of Quality Management tools, Zutec has integrated quality assurance inspections, checklists, and snagging registers to align seamlessly with Litchford’s internal processes. This will enable them to capture photographic evidence and raise any issues throughout the build to drive up higher standards. By adopting Zutec’s Quality Management Dashboard, they now have full visibility of projects and can monitor work and track progress. Zutec’s drawing manager solution also enables teams to upload drawings where they can drop pins to georeference work done. James Cannon, Chief Revenue Officer at Zutec, added: “Now Litchford’s subcontractors will have access to the Zutec Field app, they will be able to easily complete digitised quality inspection forms onsite from their phone or iPad. This involves capturing photographic evidence, signing off work and tying it back to a specific detail in a plot within the development. Before, they didn’t have a system in place to identify or eliminate quality issues as they surfaced. Having all that information in the cloud and workflows in place means that inspections can be tracked and approved or sent back for rework in real time. This both empowers site teams to deliver high-quality standards while giving project managers complete control and confidence over works completed.” To find out more about how Zutec is helping customers deliver quality work the first time around, please visit https://www.zutec.com/product/quality-management/. Alternatively, book a demo and experience Zutec’s QM solutions for yourself: https://www.zutec.com/quality-management-book-a-demo/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MCI Developments, a subsidiary of the national top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat, is celebrating after four of its employees were awarded seven coveted construction industry accolades in just 12 months. The team of individuals – who all work as site managers for MCI Developments across the North West – received Quality on Site accolades in the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards, which are handed out each month in recognition of developers who consistently deliver quality workmanship and site management. Award winners Mark King, Dan Cook, Jon Baldwin and Pete McGuinness manage MCI Developments sites in Leigh, Ellesmere Port, Oldham and St. Helens. Mark was presented with three awards, Dan received two and Jon and Pete were awarded one each. The business, which delivers high quality affordable homes, also picked up the ‘Best Affordable Housing Scheme in the UK’ gong in the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards for its Bridgwater Street site in Leigh, which is managed by Mark King. This award is judged by an independent panel of experts, who assess sites up and down the country. In addition to the award wins, MCI Developments has also recently been shortlisted for a duo of top industry accolades – ‘Best Affordable Housing Site Under £10 million’ in the Insider Housing Awards and ‘Homebuilder of the Year – Independent’ at the Affordable Housing Awards. Commenting on the award wins, Craig Murphy, Regional Managing Director at MCI Developments, said: “I’m extremely proud of the team who have received the ‘Quality on Site’ awards. These accolades recognise the quality, rigorous health and safety regulations and client satisfaction that everyone at MCI Development strives to achieve, day in and day out. The fact that seven awards have been picked up by four employees in just 12 months is a testament to the commitment, tenacity and hard work of our team to deliver the best possible homes for our partners. “We focus on creating high-quality, sustainable homes that our clients are proud of and from which they want to create thriving communities. We are proud to play a part in creating future homes for so many people.’’ MCI Developments is a specialist in land acquisition and has established relationships with strategic organisations including land agents, private landowners and the public sector. Its aim is to deliver affordable, quality, energy-efficient and sustainable housing alongside its partners in the North West to a large range of specifications, from smaller schemes to large, mixed-use projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Horsham-based Sigma Homes has secured a 1.9Ha (4.7acres) site in the sought after West Sussex village of Barns Green. The £16m development scheme will deliver 32 highly energy-efficient homes. Located off Chapel Road, the site – to be known as Sumners Fields – is situated in Barns Green’s largely rural community, surrounded by expanses of countryside. Designed by Worthing-based ECE Architecture, the 32 homes will include one-, two-, three- and four- bedroom apartments and houses. 12 of these properties are allocated for affordable housing, providing an above policy 37.5% allocation. Hunter Developments Holdings Ltd and the Smith Family worked in close cooperation with Sigma Homes in developing the design proposal for the site. Geoff Potton, Chief Executive of Sigma Homes, said: “We are delighted to have secured another prime site in such a highly sought-after village, which is less than 5 miles from Horsham. With so many development proposals in the district currently held up by planning and pre-construction delays caused by Natural England’s current advice on water neutrality, this will be one of the first schemes to be delivered within Horsham District which achieves a water neutrality solution. The plans sensitively respond to the site characteristics and will result in a high quality, sustainable addition to Barns Green. “This mix of open market and affordable homes – suitable for first time buyers, families, and downsizers – are much-needed to meet local housing demand. As with all our developments, this scheme will be constructed utilising timber-frame technology and a range of other ‘green’ features including grey water recycling, to enable residents to significantly reduce their water usage, carbon footprint and energy bills. “2023 was a major milestone for Sigma Homes, as it marked our tenth year in business. With three other highly sustainable developments currently under construction across West Sussex, and with several more in the planning stage, we understand what our customers are looking for and the enviable lifestyle this county offers. The design, layout and build quality of our homes has been attracting discerning buyers for a decade now. We are immensely proud of the reputation for quality homes in prime locations that Sigma Homes have become synonymous with.” The village of Barns Green is a highly sought after location and benefits from a range of local amenities, including a village shop, post office, primary school, sports club, and village hall. Regular public transport is available to nearby villages and towns, including Horsham. The site is a five-minute drive (2.2 miles) from Christs Hospital train station, which has services running to London Victoria in under 70 minutes. There is also a frequent 32-minute train service to Gatwick Airport. If future residents wish to have a day out or travel to the coast, there are also services running to the historic market town of Arundel (20 minutes) and the popular seaside resort of Bognor Regis (41 minutes). The character of Barns Green is predominantly of a traditional style and material palette. Existing nearby properties include a combination of red brick and white painted window frames, timber-cladded rural homes, and more contemporary post-war dwellings. Due to the range of styles present within the village, Sigma Homes’ new development will follow a conventional yet modern style. New landscaping, public open space, and ecological enhancements will be provided with most of the existing trees and hedgerows will be retained and enhanced. There will be sufficient parking available for each new home, as well as cycle storage. Electric Vehicle charging points will be provided to all houses with a garage and driveway, with further charging points allocated to the apartments. Headquartered in the West Sussex town of Horsham, Sigma Homes was founded in 2013. The company has five live developments in premium locations across the south of England and is on track to deliver 200 homes per annum by 2026. All homes are constructed using timber frames, which improves efficiency, as well as delivering sustainability benefits. It was one of the first SMEs to be accepted onto the New Homes Quality Board, providing buyers with further peace of mind during the buying process, through the backing of this stringent new Code. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson North Thames has recently thrown open its doors to work experience for students in and around Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The work experience sectors that were on offer include roles in Sustainability, Sales & Marketing, Land and Legal teams. The housebuilder is looking for eager students who wish to learn and grow in the sector of their choosing, as well as building vital connections within the construction and property industry. Throughout 2023, Barratt David Wilson North Thames has hosted four students across the Home Counties, giving them the chance to delve into what it’s like to work for a large housebuilder. Students from both Aylesbury Grammar School and Vandyke Upper School had the chance to work on-site at Clipstone Park, as well as visiting Barratt David Wilson North Thames’ Head Office in Watford, and finally, the chance to attend a sustainability event in London. All students gained valuable insight into the housebuilding industry to take the next step in their career, and gain hands on experience with professionals in the sector in which they will be hoping to find work in for the future. Evie-Jean Ellington-Reason, student from Vandyke Upper School, commented: “I started my work experience over the summer working in the sales & marketing suite at Clipstone Park in Leighton Buzzard. My ultimate aim is to have a career on the sales side of property, so being able to see how sales advisors at Barratt David Wilson North Thames operate with customers, present show homes and also host events was so valuable.” Pa-ansu, student from Aylesbury Grammar School added: “”I am thankful for the opportunity I had with Barratt David Wilson North Thames over October half term. My career goals are to go into the legal realm, so spending time with legal professionals was a fabulous insight, seeing the day-to-day duties, career progression in the industry and what skills are needed. Witnessing the expertise of professionals during meetings, while also being assigned both research tasks and case studies reinforced my passion to pursue a career in law and wasn’t something I’d be able to learn in a classroom.” Adam, student from Aylesbury Grammar School added: “At every stage of the work experience, colleagues were welcoming and inviting, which made me more keen for the world of work. My mentors in the Land department were incredibly helpful and proactive in inviting me to meetings, and I was able to actively participate in discussions, observe their approach to different challenges, and learn from their experiences. They patiently answered my queries and were committed to enhancing my learning, keeping me actively engaged throughout the week.” Max Ward, student from Aylesbury Grammar School added: “I was lucky enough to be invited to an event in central London with Barratt Development’s Sustainability team in December. The sustainability sector is something which is only going to grow so I am extremely keen in gaining as much experience to hopefully pursue a career in the industry. It was so great to meet so many industry professionals on the day and talk about the opportunities in sustainability.” Marc Woolfe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Barratt David Wilson North Thames concludes: “It is of such importance that as an established housebuilder, we can offer up work experience positions to those who live locally to our developments. From seeing how beneficial it has been for Evie, Pa-ansu, Max and Adam has made us as a team realise the benefits of teaching a future aspirer in the industry. We hope that the students enjoyed their time with us and that it has solidified their future career aspirations. We hopefully look forward to seeing or even working with them again in the near future.” If you or anyone you know are looking for some work experience in the sectors listed above, then please email erin@building-relations.co.uk or call 07727 350462. For further details about Barratt Homes North Thames, its new ‘Rent then Buy’ Scheme or the new homes at Sawbridge Park, Clipstone Park, Linmere, Kingsbrook or St Rumbold’s Fields, visit www.dwh.co.uk / www.barratthomes.co.uk or call 0333 355 8500 / 0333 355 8501. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dandara Living is pleased to welcome Sam Smith back to its senior leadership team, as Operations Director, with responsibility for the company’s current portfolio of almost 3,000 units under management. Sam joins following an extremely busy last 12 months for the business. This included the completion and launch of Dandara Living’s second Build to Rent development in Birmingham, and the forward sale and funding of the 391-unit Renshaw’s Yard development in Staines, to Greystar Real Estate Partners. The company, which has a growing portfolio of almost 8,000 home and student beds across the UK, also recently secured a five-year renewal instruction from ECE Real Estate Partners to continue to manage their BtR portfolio in the UK. Speaking about his appointment, Sam Smith said: “In spite of the challenging economic and regulatory environment, Dandara Living has ambitious plans for the future. “Having successfully launched a further development in Birmingham and secured the forward sale of Renshaw’s Yard to Greystar at a time when year-on-year transaction volumes were significantly lower, is further recognition of Dandara Living’s ability to attract major industry players and the confidence in our brand, quality and offering. This a very exciting time to be part of the team.” In addition to heading up Dandara Living Management, Sam will also work with Dandara Living’s business development unit to explore opportunities to expand the management arm of the company through offering services to other development partners. Jim Davies, CEO of Dandara Living, comments: “This is a pivotal time for the business as we continue to develop our pipeline and opportunities to further evolve our operational management platform and offering. Sam has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sector, and I am very pleased to have him on board.” Dandara Living currently operates six BTR developments in the UK and has a further 17 sites in the pipeline. Its next development of 342 BTR units plus 5,597sqft of resident amenity at Granary Quay on the Clyde waterfront in Glasgow is now nearing completion. In addition, Stafford Yard, the company’s first development in Bristol comprising 295 apartments and 5,164sqft resident amenity, is set to complete later this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Casa by Moda, the single-family homes (SFH) division of developer and operator Moda Group, has completed the acquisition of 100 units which form part of a wider mixed-residential masterplan in Doncaster. To deliver what will be their third operational neighbourhood across the UK, Casa have acquired 100 high-quality family homes for rent from Albemarle Homes, with houses ranging in size from two to four-bedrooms. The neighbourhood, which will be called ‘Casa at Westmoor Grange’, is located on the outskirts of one of the most desirable suburbs in the city, Armthorpe, which provides excellent commuter links to the M18 and is just a 10-minute drive to central Doncaster. The neighbourhood is also close to local facilities including Armthorpe Leisure Centre, Doncaster Racecourse and Doncaster Golf Range. The acquisition follows in the wake of Casa’s first Yorkshire neighbourhood in Leeds – Casa, Abbey Court – and is a further step in Casa’s ambition to secure 5,000 new homes within the next three years. The first phase of Casa’s maiden neighbourhood in Glasgow, Casa, Vista Park, is already fully let. The 19-hectare Westmoor Grange neighbourhood marks the first time that Casa has formed part of a wider housing masterplan, with their rental homes expected to welcome its residents in Summer 2024. The entire masterplan comprises just over 400 homes, including affordable housing and OMS. Single family housing provides quality rental homes, purpose built to high environmental standards for a sustainable long-term rental model and managed by a professional landlord, as opposed to the traditional private landlord model. Casa residents at Westmoor Grange will receive a deposit-free, pet friendly living as part of Casa’s industry-leading inclusive offer which places service, technology, wellbeing and sustainability at the fore of its next generation communities. They will also benefit from the exclusive MyCasa app, which provides residents with 24/7 access to customer service and maintenance reporting, as well as inclusive resident events, services and offers. Following the deal, Casa will continue to work with AlbemarleHomes to complete the delivery of the new homes to the high standard expected by the Casa brand and its residents. This includes embedding Moda’s technology partner Utopi’s smart environmental sensors into the homes, which enable residents to monitor everything from room temperature to air quality and light pollution. Homes will also benefit from additional sustainable elements from solar PV panels to EV chargers, as Moda remain on their journey to Net Zero by 2030. The rise of the SFH sector will see residents in family rental homes gain access to the same high levels of service and quality associated with BTR city centre living. Matthew Townson, Director of Development and Projects at Casa by Moda, said: “With Casa at Westmoor Grange, we’re raising the bar when it comes to rental accommodation in Doncaster. The site’s acquisition also marks two significant milestones for us, as it’s our second development in our home region of Yorkshire and our first inclusion within a wider housing masterplan. “Looking ahead we have ambitious plans for the future and are looking forward to collaborating with leading housebuilders like Albemarle Homes, as well as local authorities and landowners to deliver more new homes across the UK, as we progress towards our target of securing 5,000 new homes in the next 3 years.” Casa by Moda are working with Albemarle Homes, a leading family run housing developer to deliver the homes. Darryl Barker, Managing Director at Albemarle Homes, said: “Our ethos, and the reason Albemarle Homes was established, is to provide quality built properties that become a home from the very start. Our Albemarle Standard is what sets us apart and we’re pleased that Casa by Moda has identified this and made the decision to incorporate a number of our Westmoor Grange homes into its unique private rented portfolio. “We feel it is important that consumers are given a range of options to meet their own individual circumstances and support this alternative choice. “Our ongoing commitment to quality construction aligns with Casa by Moda’s vision, in delivering outstanding homes that go beyond mere residences and, we are confident that our properties will contribute to the flourishing communities they strive to create.” Ahead of welcoming its first residents this summer, pre-registrations of interest for homes in Casa at Westmoor Grange can be made via the Casa website. For more information on acquisition or collaboration opportunities please contact Rob Gill: rob.gill@modaliving.com To find out more visit: www.casa.moda Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Primary school pupils from Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy (BFHA) in Newark have recently helped plant three trees at Harron Homes’ nearby development, Bilsthorpe Chase. These trees are the first to be planted at the development, which is set to become home to over 1,200 native trees in the next 2-3 years. The official planting ceremony saw three BFHA pupils assist both Carrier Landscapers and Harron Home’s Bilsthorpe Chase Site Team in planting three native oaks on the development’s village green. Perhaps the most familiar of British species, the oaks, once grown, will complement Bilsthorpe Chase’s peaceful rural feel while adding touches of greenery to the picturesque development. The pupils of Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy were ready with spades and hi-vis to help plant the trees. Despite the poor weather conditions on the day, they proved themselves intrepid and handy gardeners, patiently waiting out the winter rain before venturing outdoors during a spot of sunshine to get the job done. The Bilsthorpe Chase site team, led by Site Manager Kevin Adlington, was on hand to guide the pupils and help them plant the trees. Assisting them were Carrier Landscapers’ David Hazeldine, Ben Grabham, and Joe Carnell, who provided their own expertise to ensure the pupils planted the trees safely and securely. Once all the trees have been planted, they will contribute a great deal towards reducing the levels of air pollution and making the local environment more biodiverse. Developments like Bilsthorpe Chase take these well-known benefits of rural living and combine them with the convenience and comforts of a more modern lifestyle. Built to the highest specification and designed to be both stylish and comfortable, the variety of two, three, four and five bedroom homes are perfect for couples, families, and individuals alike. With Sherwood Pines only a few miles away, and myriad scenic walks and cycling routes surrounding the development, Bilsthorpe Chase provides its residents with the best of both worlds. Claire Gibbins, Sales Manager for Harron Homes North Midlands, said: “At Harron Homes we know that even small touches of greenery can transform the look and feel of a development. But woodland areas and forests are also vital in improving the biodiversity of the areas we build in. This planting marks the first step in what is set to be a really great change for the development. “It was great to see the next generation get involved with nature in this way. The kids were a real help on the day, and we hope they will be proud to see the oaks grow and blossom in the coming years.” Samantha Leek, Headteacher at BFHA, said: “It was wonderful to give the pupils an opportunity to get some hands-on experience planting trees. Through our curriculum we aim to provide our pupils with a wealth of knowledge on the science and history of the planet and its environment. Being able to couple their learning with practical experience such as this provides a brilliant opportunity for enhancing their education, and it’s a key part of what we aim to do at BFHA. Of course, more importantly, it was a lot of fun too!” Homes at Bilsthorpe Chase start at £318,995 and the development can be found at Kirklington Road, Bilsthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG22 8SH. For more information on Bilsthorpe Chase please visit: https://www.harronhomes.com/find-a-home/nottinghamshire/bilsthorpe-chase/. For more information on Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy please visit: https://www.bilsthorpeflyinghighacademy.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has been given the go ahead to build a new 220-home development in Hailsham, which will feature seven acres of public open space. The housebuilder is to deliver the new properties on a 24-acre site off Mill Road after receiving planning permission from Wealden District Council. The development, which will be known as Woodbury Manor, will consist of 143 three and four-bedroom houses for private sale and 77 affordable homes, including one and two-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom houses for rent or shared ownership. The plans also include a convenience store located at the site entrance off Mill Road. The public open space will include an exercise trail and play areas with a range of recreational equipment for all ages, including toddlers, older children and adults. The development will also feature wildflower grassland and wetland features to enhance biodiversity, while bat boxes, hedgehog domes, habitat piles and bee bricks will help protect and encourage local wildlife. Bellway will also pay a community infrastructure levy of £3.3 million as part of over £4 million investment in local facilities and services. Chris Moore, Managing Director for Bellway Kent, said: “We have worked closely with the local authority and have taken on board its advice and comments to present a project which will create the optimum design and layout for this site. “This will be a sustainable development where every home will be fitted with an electric vehicle charging point and benefit from the energy savings and green credentials associated with all of Bellway’s new-build energy-efficient homes. “A key feature of Woodbury Manor will be the seven acres of public open space which will provide children’s play areas and an exercise trail. These facilities will be open for public use so will benefit not only residents living on the site but the wider community as a whole. There will also be a network of footpaths and cycleways to encourage residents to use greener forms of transport. “This development will feature a sustainable drainage system, while the landscaping plan for site includes planting new species and retaining the existing trees and hedgerows. “Alongside the community infrastructure levy, we will be providing a further £975,000 to fund upgrades and improvements in local infrastructure. Within this £500,000 will help go toward improving the local bus services to allow people to leave their cars at home and £10,000 for the extension of a 30mph zone near the development and parking management measures on Mill Road.” Work is due to start on construction in late summer, with the first homes due to be released for sale in autumn/winter 2024. For more information about Woodbury Manor call 01323 315389 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/kent/woodbury-manor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals