A new homes development in Congleton has won a prestigious award from the LABC, beating dozens of other sites in the north. Bloor Homes’ Hudson Meadows development won at The Bricks in the development of the year between 51-100 homes category, for the North of England. The Bricks Site Recognition
Poole-based housebuilder AJC Group has submitted an Outline Planning Application to Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch (BCP) Council for the proposed redevelopment of 245-251 High Street North, Poole. The planning application proposes demolition of an existing three-storey commercial building, with the erection of a five-storey apartment scheme, including a ground floor
Spitfire Homes has opened the doors to a statement new show apartment at The Jephson Portfolio, a distinguished collection of 11 houses and nine apartments in Royal Leamington Spa, demonstrating its commitment to meet demand for a range of buyers in the region. The Midlands-based homebuilder has carefully restored the
Bowmer + Kirkland has been selected to develop a 500-home build to rent (BTR) residential scheme in Leeds city centre. The £140 million project at Whitehall Riverside is being delivered by Glenbrook and backed by Legal & General following last month’s announcement of what is Leeds’ largest BTR funding deal
Barratt Homes Yorkshire East has announced the launch of the first homes for sale at its brand new 120-home development in Bridlington. Called The Sands, the coastal development will comprise a selection of two, three and four-bedroom energy-efficient homes and feature 12 of Barratt Homes’ signature house types. Located on
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has named Carmen Ching as the Group’s first Head of Sales. Carmen, a senior director at Salboy since 2020, becomes the first person to be handed a global remit to lead Salboy’s international sales strategy. For the last three years, Carmen
Capital&Centric has submitted plans to Bolton Council for Neighbourhood Bolton, a new concept community. The plans include 160 sustainable homes split across four nearby brownfield plots on the town’s Bradshawgate and Breightmet Street. The community will have 1-4 bed homes with bold designs and high energy performance. They will be
Spitfire Homes has been granted planning permission to develop 48 new homes in Wolston, Warwickshire. Spitfire Homes acquired the 5.44 acre site to develop 34 two- to four-bedroom homes, and an additional 14 properties which will be part of the Government’s First Homes scheme. Named Rosedale, the homes will feature
The entrance of a new development in Biddenham Park has been built to pay homage to the historic Bromham Bridge – a local landmark which dates back some 1000 years. Designers at Davidsons Homes have created the unusual undulating wall at the entrance to its Biddenham Park development near Bedford,
Work is well underway on a retirement living development of 57 one and two bedroom residential apartments on the vacant site of the former Compton Mill in Leek, Staffordshire. The new part two, three, four and five-storey development will include associated ancillary spaces, garden spaces and parking, and is being
A new homes development in Congleton has won a prestigious award from the LABC, beating dozens of other sites in the north. Bloor Homes’ Hudson Meadows development won at The Bricks in the development of the year between 51-100 homes category, for the North of England. The Bricks Site Recognition Awards recognise developers which consistently deliver quality workmanship and site management throughout the year. Andrew Ward, Construction Director for Bloor Homes North West, said: “We’re very proud to win this award for our Hudson Meadows development in Congleton, which is a testament to the dedication of the whole team, led by site manager Fraser Murray. “A Bricks award win is based on an entire year of hard work, including many factors including site tidiness, communication, commitment to safety and of course ambition to deliver high-quality homes – which is why this is such a huge achievement. Congratulations to the whole team and thank you for your efforts this year!” With three and four-bedroom homes being built with wonderful views across the Peak District, Hudson Meadows is a flagship site for Bloor Homes – bolstered now by this award win. Three-bedroom homes are currently available from £284,995 and four-bedroom properties from £379,995. For more information, visit bloorhomes.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Poole-based housebuilder AJC Group has submitted an Outline Planning Application to Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch (BCP) Council for the proposed redevelopment of 245-251 High Street North, Poole. The planning application proposes demolition of an existing three-storey commercial building, with the erection of a five-storey apartment scheme, including a ground floor commercial unit. The residential development would provide much needed one- and two- bedroom housing within Poole. 32 apartments – including 28 one-bedroom homes, and four two-bedroom apartments – have been proposed. At the ground floor, there will be a cycle store with one bike space allocated for each apartment, and a bin store. The location of the site is highly sustainable, and within walking distance of an array of town centre amenities, tourist attractions, and transport links. High Street North adjoins the George roundabout, which is a key circulation point for vehicles travelling in and out of Poole town centre. The bus and train station – and the retail heart of the town centre – are close to the site, and the development lies within flood zone 1, which reflects the lowest level of risk. Christchurch-based ARC Architecture has created the design and drawings for the outline application. David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, said: “We are very pleased to have lodged our outline plans for this scheme with BCP Council. The proposals for this central urban development project would work in harmony with the site’s opportunities and constraints. The design reflects the evolving character of the locality and makes optimal use of the land. High Street North is a vibrant part of Poole and these plans will enhance the current surroundings, as well as working in line with the Poole Local Plan, which aims to transform and enhance the town centre. “Our outline proposals are for a highly sustainable development, without car parking, as the site’s central location will encourage healthy alternative forms of transport, as promoted in the Local Plan.” The proposed design of the building is of a modern and contemporary style, featuring full length windows at the front of the elevation, which would allow light to flood into each of the 32 apartments. The scale of the scheme has been carefully considered and will sit comfortably within the existing street scene, complementing the modern buildings in close proximity. The internal layout includes a lift to enable wheelchair accessibility to all floors. AJC Group has also outlined that seven of the apartments will be compliant with M4(2) considerations, designed as ‘accessible and adaptable homes’. 10% of the scheme will be allocated for affordable housing, but this could be increased at a later stage in the planning process. The new scheme would be constructed to a very high EPC rating and incorporate a proportion of energy use from renewable energy sources. AJC Group is on track to deliver over 200 mixed-tenure homes during 2023, reflecting a total construction value in excess of £100m. The firm has become one of the most active residential development specialists across the Wessex region. Six sites are currently under construction by AJC Group, including a development in the village of Okeford Fitzpaine near Blandford Forum in rural Dorset. Live projects on Lindsay Road, The Sloop, and Herbert Avenue, are all located in Poole, while The Sonnet apartment scheme is in Bournemouth. The firm has also recently started construction at one of its largest projects, which will deliver 57 affordable houses and apartments for Aster Group within the former Dorchester Brewery regeneration scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spitfire Homes has opened the doors to a statement new show apartment at The Jephson Portfolio, a distinguished collection of 11 houses and nine apartments in Royal Leamington Spa, demonstrating its commitment to meet demand for a range of buyers in the region. The Midlands-based homebuilder has carefully restored the original Victorian country house to form nine exclusive apartments, showcasing a sympathetic and creative approach to the refurbishment of the building. To reflect the period architecture, the new homes are embellished with stone detailing, hanging tiles and finials, creating a characterful and cohesive collection. Accessed via a private driveway secured with automatic gates, The Portfolio comprises 7.5 acres of communal woodland and green space exclusively for residents. Forming part of the Spitfire Homes Bespoke Collection, No. 1 Jephson Apartments is a two-bedroom apartment located on the ground floor, showcasing an open plan interior layout suited to contemporary lifestyles. As is the case throughout the Jephson Apartments, No.1 features an individually designed kitchen from a range bespoke to Spitfire Homes and benefits from a premium quartz worktop and integrated appliances. The two well-appointed bedrooms in No.1 enjoy bespoke fitted wardrobes with sliding mirrored doors, with the primary bedroom also featuring a stylish en suite. All bathrooms within the Jephson Apartments boast a premium specification, including contemporary white Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware, bespoke fitted mirrored cabinets and full height ceramic tiling. All properties also benefit from allocated basement storage and private car parking provision, including electric car charging points. Matt Vincent, Sales Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “We’re really excited to launch this stunning show apartment and we expect to see strong interest as the collection continues to prove popular with a range of prospective buyers. “Each property at The Jephson Portfolio enjoys our bespoke specification comprising a blend of bespoke detailing, finishes and brand names, with individually designed kitchens and sleek, contemporary bathrooms. The development also sits within 7.5 acres of private grounds, accessed by its own private driveway, and is set in an enviable location just a couple of miles from Royal Leamington Spa. “Being positioned on the rural edge of this elegant and vibrant Regency town, we’re able to meet the demands of modern buyers by offering a balanced lifestyle, something we’re seeing a lot more of from our customers.” Spitfire Homes worked closely with Warwickshire-based interior design company, Open Door Interiors, to showcase the characterful features and a premium specification at No. 1 Jephson Apartments. Tracy Baker, Managing Director at Open Door Interiors, said: “The interior of this apartment has been heavily influenced by the luscious Victorian style of the building. We’ve used some gorgeous high-end fabrics and wallpapers such as Casamance & Zoffany to represent the luxury of this property, whilst also complementing the traditional feel with a modern twist that the restoration showcases perfectly. “The deep purple colour palette has a restful and soothing quality, and teamed with the gold it adds a premium feel, making it even more desirable and a perfect space for low maintenance apartment living.” Building on its historic reputation as a fashionable destination, Royal Leamington Spa is located just a stone’s throw away and offers an unrivalled selection of high street brands alongside independent shops and boutiques. In addition, the thriving cities of Warwick and Oxford are close by, along with shopping capital Birmingham and the designer shopping outlet Bicester Village. To find out more about Spitfire Homes, please visit: https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/the-jephson-portfolio/
Bowmer + Kirkland has been selected to develop a 500-home build to rent (BTR) residential scheme in Leeds city centre. The £140 million project at Whitehall Riverside is being delivered by Glenbrook and backed by Legal & General following last month’s announcement of what is Leeds’ largest BTR funding deal and the pair’s first venture together. Over the last decade, Glenbrook has established itself as one of the UK’s most active BTR developers, delivering over 1,500 homes to date. Whitehall Riverside represents the company’s first residential scheme in Leeds with a further 618-home development to come forward at Kirkstall Road later this year. In February 2023, Bowmer + Kirkland announced the practical completion of High Definition, a 280-apartment build for sale scheme at MediaCityUK, which the contractor delivered for Glenbrook on behalf of Latimer, Clarion Housing Group’s development arm. Danny Roberts, development director at Glenbrook, said: “With planning permission secured and the funding agreement with L&G now in place, we’ve immediately moved forward with the delivery of Whitehall Riverside and are working towards a completion date of April 2026. “Given the scheme’s extensive sustainable credentials, it was vital that we had a best-in-class contractor in place with similar values. We have a well-established relationship with Bowmer + Kirkland and this appointment provides certainty to the market that we will be delivering a high-quality product and provide an even broader range of choice for people in the city.” The project team includes Sheppard Robson, Curtins, Abacus, Re-form, Crookes Walker Consulting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barratt Homes Yorkshire East has announced the launch of the first homes for sale at its brand new 120-home development in Bridlington. Called The Sands, the coastal development will comprise a selection of two, three and four-bedroom energy-efficient homes and feature 12 of Barratt Homes’ signature house types. Located on Kingsgate just a short walk from Bridlington’s South Beach, The Sands is ideally situated offering a coastal location for a wide variety of buyers. With unrivalled access to East Yorkshire’s seaside towns and villages, The Sands also benefits from excellent commuter links to Driffield, Hull and York. The seaside development also benefits from excellent local amenities nearby such as shops including Morrisons and Lidl, pubs and restaurants including Burlington’s Restaurant and Lobster Pot, and schools such as Hilderthorpe Primary School just a short walk away. Interested buyers can now visit the sales office at the development with prices ranging from £272,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached home and a four-bedroom detached home starting from £315,000. The highly anticipated show homes are also expected to open their doors this autumn. The development is also expected to create approximately 120 jobs for the area. Not only will the homes at The Sands be energy efficient, but the development will also boast a multitude of ecological measures including integrated bat tubes, sparrow terraces, bird boxes and built-in swift boxes. Selected plots also include electric vehicle charging points. Paul Hogan, Sales Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East commented: “We’re really pleased to be opening our sales office at The Sands. It is an exciting development in a fantastic coastal location and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers as they choose their new home in Bridlington. “With homes to suit a wide range of buyers, we expect The Sands to be incredibly popular and are excited to announce the opening of our show homes in the coming months.” The Sands is an energy-efficient development of two, three and four-bedroom homes available in Bridlington. To find out more about the launch and to register your interest, please visit: https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev-002597-the-sands/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has named Carmen Ching as the Group’s first Head of Sales. Carmen, a senior director at Salboy since 2020, becomes the first person to be handed a global remit to lead Salboy’s international sales strategy. For the last three years, Carmen has been Salboy’s Head of Asia Pacific based in Hong Kong. Following her promotion and reporting to Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Salboy Group, Carmen will continue to lead Sales in Asia from Hong Kong while directing a global sales strategy that is implemented across the world in Manchester, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and the Middle East. With 16 years’ experience in international residential property including leading the international residential team at Colliers, Carmen has developed a strong and vast client base across South-East and North-East Asia. Her experience of Western and Eastern working cultures, her expertise in investment advisory, and her multiple past successes in managing investor portfolios including block deals are all highly beneficial to international investors in UK property. Bringing her vast industry knowledge and wide-ranging skill set to her global strategic role, Carmen will be responsible for the success of the sales and marketing teams she leads not only across Asia but throughout the world where Salboy has a presence. Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “Since we were lucky enough to welcome Carmen to the Salboy team in 2020, she has been instrumental in maturing our sales strategies, nurturing our teams and ultimately driving our growth across Asia. We are hugely excited that Carmen has accepted our proposal to lead our sales strategy on a global basis in the future and we look forward to seeing the impact she has on all our talented sales teams wherever they are in the world. “Ensuring that our sales process reflects how borderless the UK property market has become is essential. Our client base is hugely international in its reach as more international clients buy UK property not just for investment but as homes for their children while studying at first-class UK universities or as homes-from-home during extended business travel. A globalised, coordinated approach will help ensure our discerning clients experience a better, easier and faster service from us.” Carmen is supported by Salboy’s experienced senior management team, including Zann Quek and Benjamin Ashcroft. Zann brings 14 years’ experience as a UK and international property professional to her role as Head of Greater China and Regional Director following previous directorships at JLL, Knight Frank and Colliers. Benjamin joined Salboy in 2019 as Head of Marketing and has 17 years’ extensive experience in project marketing and branding in the UK, Asia and Middle East. Carmen Ching, Head of Sales at Salboy Group, adds: “Collaboration will be key to achieving our ambitious growth goals over the next five years. Salboy has over £1 billion worth of property currently in development in London, Cornwall and Manchester – all parts of the UK where the demand for high quality housing continues to outstrip supply. We need to continually expand our sales presence globally to ensure that buyers throughout the world have the opportunity to access Salboy property built where it is most needed. Working with Zann, Benjamin and the rest of our global sales and marketing team, I look forward to rolling out a strategy that brings together our collective knowledge and expertise to help us maximise the potential ahead of us.”
Capital&Centric has submitted plans to Bolton Council for Neighbourhood Bolton, a new concept community. The plans include 160 sustainable homes split across four nearby brownfield plots on the town’s Bradshawgate and Breightmet Street. The community will have 1-4 bed homes with bold designs and high energy performance. They will be set alongside safe streets fit for kids to play out, community amenity spaces where residents can get together, shared green areas and new workspaces for creative small and start-up businesses. Neighbourhood Bolton will kickstart reinvigoration of the key interchange area surrounding Bolton’s bus and train stations. It will be made up of Neighbourhood Trinity Gateway – the site on Bradshawgate – and Neighbourhood Trinity Village – a cluster of sites around Breightmet Street. Richard Spackman, Development Director at Capital&Centric, said: “It was just weeks ago we announced these plans and we’re already on with a planning application. We wanted to get the Neighbourhood concept spot on, with bold, contemporary homes, community amenities and workspaces set to totally change the feel of the area around Bolton’s train and bus stations. For us, this is all about taking the design-led approach you see in some of the exemplary city centre developments and bringing it to life in the suburbs. “A big part of Neighbourhood Bolton is to bring something totally different to what’s already on offer locally. We’ve worked at real pace to bring forward plans that will ultimately help meet Bolton’s growing housing need. “There’s places up and down the country that have these challenging brownfield sites in prime, town centre locations, crying out for a creative approach to regeneration. We’re rising to that challenge here and delivering a neighbourhood with a sense of community, excellent sustainability credentials and a distinct design edge.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spitfire Homes has been granted planning permission to develop 48 new homes in Wolston, Warwickshire. Spitfire Homes acquired the 5.44 acre site to develop 34 two- to four-bedroom homes, and an additional 14 properties which will be part of the Government’s First Homes scheme. Named Rosedale, the homes will feature a varied palette of external materials comprising a mixture of red brick and chalky white render, paired with a combination of red and grey roof tiles. Within each property, layouts will be carefully considered and appointed with a stylish internal specification. Rosedale will feature Spitfire Homes’ signature design-led properties, bringing modern, quality features to suit a variety of lifestyles aimed at first-time buyers, individuals, couples, families and downsizers alike. The 14 properties due to be delivered as part of the First Homes scheme will be available exclusively for first-time buyers at a reduced rate of the market value. The homes will be the first of their kind delivered by Spitfire marking part of an ongoing commitment to enable a range of buyers to get on the property ladder. The energy-efficient new homes will all have heating and hot water supplied courtesy of air-source heat pumps and will feature electric car charging points as standard. This aligns with the priorities of buyers and Spitfire’s commitment to its Sustainable Futures strategy, which outlines a number of sustainability targets to be achieved by the homebuilder by 2030. Ben Leather, Managing Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “Wolston is a desirable village location with a growing requirement for new homes – the commuter links and countryside setting make it the ideal location for these homes to meet this rising demand for high-quality, future-proofed homes designed to suit modern lifestyles. “The homes at Rosedale are a further example of Spitfire’s investment into the Midlands region alongside following recent collections in Royal Leamington Spa, Northampton, and Daventry. “We look forward to working with the Parish to deliver both the new homes and the allotments for the local community, ensuring these properties support our ongoing commitment to providing energy-efficient and sustainable homes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The entrance of a new development in Biddenham Park has been built to pay homage to the historic Bromham Bridge – a local landmark which dates back some 1000 years. Designers at Davidsons Homes have created the unusual undulating wall at the entrance to its Biddenham Park development near Bedford, taking inspiration from the ancient monument which is mentioned in records as far back as 1224 AD. Bromham Bridge has served as inspiration for artists and designers for centuries, with pieces using the landmark as a focal point. Davidsons Homes has even used a very similar light-coloured stone for its wall as the bridge, to ensure that its homage is as close as possible to the original. James Burnham, Managing Director for Davidsons Homes South Midlands, said: “We have always referred to ourselves, not just as housebuilders, but as placemakers. We realise that our developments should fit into the local landscape and enhance communities. That’s why, we couldn’t turn down an opportunity like this – to build an entrance which takes inspiration from a much-loved local landmark. “Our designers, and in particular Senior Architectural Technician Scott Chamberlain, have spent days researching the bridge’s history and unearthing fascinating bits of information which have helped them to create our own design. “We really hope that local people will see and appreciate this nod to the area’s history, and that in time, the wall will become a much-loved landmark in itself too.” Davidsons Homes is building new homes at Biddenham Park near Bedford, with the first showhome set to open this summer. For more information, visit davidsonshomes.co.uk.
Work is well underway on a retirement living development of 57 one and two bedroom residential apartments on the vacant site of the former Compton Mill in Leek, Staffordshire. The new part two, three, four and five-storey development will include associated ancillary spaces, garden spaces and parking, and is being constructed by Tricas Construction for Collaborate Living and Housing 21. Located close to Leek’s town centre, the now empty site once housed the silk mill before being used as an antique emporium with storage and workshops in its later years. The building was demolished in 2018, leaving an area of open land that is bordered by Cornhill Street to the north, Duke Street to the south and Prospect Place to the west. Mark Henderson from Brewster Bye, the architects that have designed the scheme, said: “Due to some key historic assets of the old mill, the existing stair tower and turret were not demolished, and their restoration will form an interesting and attractive element of the new development.” As well as the 57 apartments, there will be a residents’ lounge on the ground floor, along with an office, buggy store and other ancillary spaces and amenities from residents. Each apartment will have its own private areas, with patio spaces for the apartments on the ground and lower ground floors, and homes on the upper floors will either have their own balcony, or a juliette balcony off the main lounge space. Outside, there will be landscaped gardens for the residents to enjoy. A parking area with 31 spaces will be created, including three that are accessible. A cycle parking store will also be provided as part of the development. Mark added: “Our design of the elevations was influenced by the buildings in the surrounding Leek area. The red brickwork used as the principal material is reflective of the red brick industrial nature of the buildings nearby, including the mill buildings that remain on Brook Street to the north of the site and London Street to the west. The heavy red brick influence is continued in the design of the houses in the immediate vicinity of the site, along Duke Street, Compton and London Street. Blue and grey brickwork will be added to the base of the building, and also in bands, as a detailed feature that adds a contemporary feel and an extra dimension to the building. The stone bands give even more detailing to the elevations, enhance projections, and connect the proposed building to the existing restored brick turret.” Lee Robinson, from Collaborate Living Ltd, said: “This development is incredibly exciting and really highlights the importance of multiple stakeholders working together to bring a challenging site and project to life. It is addressing a much-needed housing need for retirement living accommodation within the area and is perfectly situated in close proximity to the local amenities, GP’s, shops and entertainment. “The development itself has been thoughtfully designed with gated, well-lit pedestrian access from the car parking areas, as well as electric vehicle charging points. Inside the communal areas are located close to the entrance of the building, with the office providing security as people enter and exit the building. The apartments have open plan living kitchen areas, pleasant views, and benefit from lift access to the upper floors. “Crucially, this development will help address the chronic shortage of retirement living homes in the area and the apartments will be available for social rent from April 2024.” Housing 21 is a leading provider of retirement and extra care living for older people. It is a not-for-profit organisation that operates in over 240 local authority areas. Brewster Bye is one of the UK’s leading architecture practices in the retirement housing sector. Visit: www.housing21.org.uk for more details. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
