Residential : House Builders & Developers News

NEW RESIDENTIAL WORK DRIVES GROWTH AND EXPANSION FOR LEEDS ENGINEERS

A Yorkshire firm of engineers is seeing strong growth in the residential development sector as it continues to expand its operations and secure new work outside the region. RWO, based in Park Square in Leeds, has won undisclosed contracts to supply civil and structural engineering services to support the multi-million-pound

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Harworth launches single family Built to Rent porfolio of 1,200 homes

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment announces the launch of “Project Spur”, a single family Built to Rent (“BTR”) portfolio of around 1,200 homes across 10 of its development sites. Harworth is today publishing marketing materials for the scheme, which represents

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South Seaham Garden Village to start Construction this summer

South Seaham Garden Village has taken a huge step forward with landowner Tolent completing the land sale to a trio of developers including Karbon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes. The completion of the deal means construction of the project, which was awarded garden village status back in 2019, can

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First Completions at Nottingham Luxury Waterside Scheme

First Completions at Nottingham Luxury Waterside Scheme

Works at the new luxury residential development The Yacht Club, situated on the banks of the River Trent between Colwick and West Bridgford in Nottingham, continue to progress well with first completions afoot and residents set to be welcomed to their new homes very soon. Developed by Leeds-based KMRE Group Ltd,

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Part Exchange Scheme Perfect Solution for Yorkshire Househunters

Most people are familiar with the concept of Part Exchange, effectively trading in your current home for a new one. Samantha Corbett, the expert Part Exchange Manager at Harron Homes Yorkshire explains why Harron Homes’ Part Exchange scheme is the perfect solution for a hassle-free move. Having held similar positions

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MUIR HOMES LAUNCH THE FINAL PHASE OF LUXURY HOMES AT CASTLEBANK HOUSE

Scottish, family-run housebuilder Muir Homes, part of the Muir Group, launches the final phase of luxury homes at its exclusive development at Castlebank next week. Treetopsis the final phase to be released at this highly sought after private development in Inverclyde which will provide 17 luxury new homes. The development

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689-HOME DEVELOPMENT NAMED AS FIRST THROUGH NEW PAGABO FRAMEWORK

A SIGNIFICANT housing project has been announced as the first large-scale project procured through national framework provider Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework. Southwark Council has selected Linkcity as developer for its Tustin Estate scheme, which will feature nearly 700 new homes. This includes 200 replacement council homes, around 50 shared equity

Read More »
Burrington Estates Announces a Successful 2021

Burrington Estates Announces a Successful 2021

The continued strength of the South West property market and the launch of a new division in Central England made 2021 a successful year for Burrington Estates. This puts the company in a robust position moving into 2022 with a wide range of new homes developments due to launch this

Read More »
Stylish Shanly Homes Set to Launch in 2022

Stylish Shanly Homes Set to Launch in 2022

Award-winning housebuilder Shanly Homes has had a successful year for property sales, with the housebuilder preparing to launch a number of stylish homes in 2022. Following a successful year for property sales in 2021, properties at Clock Field in Turners Hill, Old Halliford Place in Shepperton, Tilbury Lodge in South

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Contractors announced on PfH Scotland’s £0.25bn EESSH2 framework

Stirling-based procurement services provider, PfH Scotland, which represents 95 social housing providers across Scotland, has appointed 25 contractors to its new £0.25bn Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing 2 (EESSH2) framework. Procast, Easy Heat Systems, Changeworks and City Technical Services are among suppliers to win places across eight lots on

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Residential : House Builders & Developers News

NEW RESIDENTIAL WORK DRIVES GROWTH AND EXPANSION FOR LEEDS ENGINEERS

A Yorkshire firm of engineers is seeing strong growth in the residential development sector as it continues to expand its operations and secure new work outside the region. RWO, based in Park Square in Leeds, has won undisclosed contracts to supply civil and structural engineering services to support the multi-million-pound development of more than 900 new homes in North Yorkshire and the Midlands. The move will see the firm work on over 450 new-build properties for Avant Homes’ schemes in Bramcote and Awsworth in Nottinghamshire. Engineering services work is also underway on a development of 450 new two, three, four and five bedroomed and affordable properties for Taylor Wimpey at West Lane near Ripon. This work, which includes Section 278 highway engineering works to provide new site access roads, comes as RWO is already involved in a number of other residential schemes across the country. These include the provision of planning services, detailed civil and structural design and support services for Barratt Homes, Gleeson Homes, Vistry Partnerships, Caddick Developments and Countryside Properties to support the development of upwards of 2,000 new homes. Currently employing 30 people and targeting £2.75 million in sales revenue in the next 12 months, RWO continues to recruit additional staff to strengthen its team to meet the strong demand for construction engineering services. Andrew Fairburn, director of RWO’s Leeds office, said the company is expanding beyond the region as more national housebuilders look to use its services and expertise in other locations. He added: “Although we work across all sectors, we are building a strong reputation in the residential and affordable housing sector, winning and delivering projects for leading housebuilders and housing associations. Success is based around our ability to deliver services that add value and provide effective engineering solutions for complex problems. “Despite some tough challenges and economic uncertainties, we are positive about the future and will continue to build on our residential successes to date, adding more senior experience to our team to improve further services to both current and new clients.” Scott Robinson, technical director at Taylor Wimpey, said: “RWO continues to be a key partner for us. Working alongside our in-house team, its engineers ensure projects like West Lane are delivered on time, as we continue to invest and expand to meet the huge demand across the region for high quality new homes.”

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Harworth launches single family Built to Rent porfolio of 1,200 homes

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment announces the launch of “Project Spur”, a single family Built to Rent (“BTR”) portfolio of around 1,200 homes across 10 of its development sites. Harworth is today publishing marketing materials for the scheme, which represents a unique forward funding and long-term investment opportunity for a prospective partner.  Harworth announced plans to develop a single family BTR product in September 2021, as part of its strategy to grow its business to £1bn of EPRA NDV1 over five to seven years. This new product will be complementary to Harworth’s existing Build to Sell products developed by housebuilders at its residential sites and will support the Company’s ambition to double its residential plot sales to around 2,000 plots per annum over its strategic plan period. Project Spur will be an opportunity to acquire a single family housing portfolio of significant scale across 10 established sites in Yorkshire, the Midlands and the North West. The sites are in strong locations which are in close proximity to major conurbations and employment centres, as well as local amenities and transport connections. The sites have also benefited from Harworth’s investment, as well as its masterplanning and placemaking expertise, which have delivered extensive green space, recreational facilities and a well-deigned public realm. The introduction of the BTR product is expected to further add to the vibrancy and attractiveness of these communities.    The housing type composition for the portfolio has been optimised for the single family BTR market, with a focus on two- and three-bedroom homes, all built to a high-quality design which is centred on sustainability. The project has an anticipated delivery timeline of three years, with phased handovers of the sites during this time. There will be the potential, subject to further agreement, for the partner to work with Harworth to introduce the single family BTR product to additional sites as part of future phases of development.   Project Spur is being marketed by Allsop on behalf of Harworth. 1 European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) Net Disposal Value: an adjusted net asset value metric that is one of Harworth’s Key Performance Indicators. “Harworth’s extensive portfolio is particularly well suited to delivering institutional quality single family rental homes at scale. Project Spur is part of our strategy to accelerate the development of our residential sites, providing a range of homes for local people and enabling diverse communities. We look forward to working with partners aligned to our purpose and ambitions, to continue delivering places where people want to live and work.” Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group “Project Spur is a rare opportunity to partner with one of the UK’s leading land and property regeneration specialists. Located in suburban communities across Yorkshire, the Midlands and the North West, these units provide a diverse and defensible portfolio of properties that benefit from close proximity and strong transport links to nearby employment and amenity centres.” James Crow, Head of Mixed Tenure, Harworth Group

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South Seaham Garden Village to start Construction this summer

South Seaham Garden Village has taken a huge step forward with landowner Tolent completing the land sale to a trio of developers including Karbon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes. The completion of the deal means construction of the project, which was awarded garden village status back in 2019, can now progress. Infrastructure works linking the development to the nearby A182 are due to start this summer with the first phases of housing commencing early in 2023. The development will bring 1,500 new homes to the area. 750 homes will be developed for private market sale by Miller Homes and Taylor Wimpey, with the remaining 750 homes to be of mixed tenure including rent to buy, shared ownership and affordable rent options. It is hoped that a proportion of the affordable homes will be designed to meet the emerging net-zero standards providing lower operational costs for residents as well as minimising the environmental impact of the development. Paul Webster, CEO at Tolent said: “South Seaham Garden Village will provide a diverse mix of homes providing a vibrant community on the outskirts of Seaham. The site has been owned by Tolent for a number of years and we have been working in partnership with Durham County Council to create an ambitious garden village that will provide innovation in the local housing market. “Approximately half of the development will be managed green space including play areas and a grassed playing pitch lined by a network of over three miles of landscaped paths and cycleways which coupled with its coastal setting make it an idyllic location.” Tolent will remain engaged in the project following the sale of the land and has entered into a construction partnership with Karbon Homes to deliver their share of the properties supporting local housing delivery over the next decade. Sarah Robson, Director of Development and Regeneration at Karbon Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have bought our share of the land at South Seaham Garden Village and are looking forward to bringing 750 much-needed, affordable homes to the area. This is the largest development we have embarked on to date and we’re excited to be playing a part in bringing this vibrant new community to County Durham.” In addition to the planned housing, the project includes a new village centre, which will include the delivery of a two-form entry primary school and a range of community facilities. Russ Hall, Managing Director of Taylor Wimpey North East, said “We are pleased to continue our investment in the North East and the South Seaham Garden Village project is a result of considerable hard work to date that will be evident on the ground soon. We are excited to be part of the delivery of another major development in the North East and the delivery of a new garden village community” Patrick Arkle, Managing Director, North East at Miller Homes said: “This is a key location for us in the region, Seaham has transformed over the years into a popular beachfront destination and an up-and-coming place to live. As a team we’re excited about South Seaham Garden Village, the scale of the site presents lots of opportunities and we believe it will become a flagship development offering an excellent range of much-needed three, four and five-bed homes.” The site is set to be a testbed for future technologies with a range of modern methods of construction planned for use with the potential for off-site panellised solutions and a range of alternative building methodologies currently being considered.

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First Completions at Nottingham Luxury Waterside Scheme

First Completions at Nottingham Luxury Waterside Scheme

Works at the new luxury residential development The Yacht Club, situated on the banks of the River Trent between Colwick and West Bridgford in Nottingham, continue to progress well with first completions afoot and residents set to be welcomed to their new homes very soon. Developed by Leeds-based KMRE Group Ltd, the 81-home luxury waterfront scheme – which will be known by residents as Yacht Club Place – is located off the secluded Trent Lane, with Colwick Country Park and Nottingham Racecourse to the East and Lady Bay Bridge to the West, in an area that is undergoing significant transformation promising a vibrant new inbound community. Over 60% of the apartments in the first phase have already been sold and the largest out of the three apartment blocks, Block C, is set to complete in the coming days. The remaining two blocks – Block A and Block B, are set to complete within the next few weeks as they enter the final stages of construction. The development comprises of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses, with prices starting from £300,000. A show apartment is available for prospective buyers to view on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9am – 12pm, where a member of the sales team will be on hand to show visitors around and answer queries. All of the homes are river-facing, and each feature their own private balcony or terrace, providing spectacular views over the water, looking out to The Hook nature reserve opposite. With no passing traffic, except that of river boats, paddle boarders and rowers, The Yacht Club offers a supremely serene location by the water. Residents will also be able to access an onsite gym which boasts stunning views of the river. A new cycle and pedestrian bridge, known as the Waterside Bridge, is also proposed for the area with a planning application due to be submitted to Nottingham City Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council – it would be the first bridge to be built over the River Trent in more than 60 years. At the end of last year, The Yacht Club reached a new milestone with 45% of its apartments sold and has since completed the largest of the three apartment blocks that make up the development, Block C, which features 35 apartments and four penthouses. Of the apartments sold so far, developer KMRE Group Ltd and joint selling agents FHP Living and William H Brown have noted a particularly high level of interest from both young professionals and those looking to downsize or purchase a second home. During and post pandemic, the housing market has also seen a shift in the number of London-based homeowners choosing to purchase properties outside of the capital and moving further up north. In 2021, homebuyers from London purchased more homes outside of the city than in any year since 2007, in a movement that is expected to continue. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News

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Part Exchange Scheme Perfect Solution for Yorkshire Househunters

Most people are familiar with the concept of Part Exchange, effectively trading in your current home for a new one. Samantha Corbett, the expert Part Exchange Manager at Harron Homes Yorkshire explains why Harron Homes’ Part Exchange scheme is the perfect solution for a hassle-free move. Having held similar positions for years at other housebuilders, Sam is familiar with the pros and cons of the various schemes on offer within the industry. “What stands out about Harron’s Part Exchange scheme is our team isn’t limited to purchasing specific types of properties. We are open to various types which other builders wouldn’t consider – leaseholds, apartments, listed buildings – and they don’t even have to be local to Harron. We can purchase anywhere in England. “The obvious benefit of Part Exchange is that it cuts the chain, so it prevents buyers from having to rely on others to move successfully. In addition, the only time estate agents are involved is when we arrange for three local independent agents to value your home to ensure we offer full market value for it. There’s no fee for this service either, so it’s really a win-win for the customer. Moving is stressful enough without having to navigate estate agents and solicitors while selling your existing home. “It’s a very customer focused service, my role is designed to make everything as smooth as possible on their end. Not many builders have their own Part Exchange team, leaving customers to still deal with third parties. All my customers have the benefit of being able to contact me directly with any questions or concerns, and I’m able to provide updates instantly without having to follow up with external parties. “There’s a lot to be said for the level of security Part Exchange offers too. Not only does it remove the need to negotiate offers, but it means there’s no concern with the sale falling through later down the line since selling to Harron doesn’t rely on us securing a mortgage. “With this many benefits, Part Exchange is definitely worth considering at least!”

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MUIR HOMES LAUNCH THE FINAL PHASE OF LUXURY HOMES AT CASTLEBANK HOUSE

Scottish, family-run housebuilder Muir Homes, part of the Muir Group, launches the final phase of luxury homes at its exclusive development at Castlebank next week. Treetopsis the final phase to be released at this highly sought after private development in Inverclyde which will provide 17 luxury new homes. The development offers a mix of high specification two, three and four bedroom detached and semi-detached homes on a stunning hilltop location with unparalleled views across the Clyde Estuary, Loch Gare and Loch Long. Among the house styles available at the Treetops is the Wemyss, a beautifully designed four bedroom detached home with a spacious lounge overlooking the generous garden area. There is also the three bedroom semi detached Kinkell style with its open plan kitchen and dining room – providing the perfect centre-piece for family life – and French doors connecting to the garden at the back of the property. All properties have a master bedroom with an en-suite and electric vehicle charging points are available on site. Castlebank, the Tree Tops is superbly located and benefits from quick access to the M8 motorway. Glasgow International Airport, Braehead shopping centre and a range of supermarkets are only a 10-minute drive from the development. There are also various preschools and primary schools in the area making it the perfect choice for growing families as well as first time buyers and downsizers. The final phase of the development is due to officially launch this weekend. Ash Sheikh, Sales and Marketing Director for Muir Homes said: “We are delighted to be launching the final phase of luxury homes at our Castlebank development following the remarkable sales success at the development to date.  These thoughtfully designed homes are spacious and with their second to none hilltop location and accessible commuter links to Glasgow, we anticipate huge demand from homebuyers at Treetops.” The new homes are designed by multi-award winning EMA Architects. To find out more about Tree Tops, visit www.muirhomes.co.uk or call the sales team on 01475 742149. 

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689-HOME DEVELOPMENT NAMED AS FIRST THROUGH NEW PAGABO FRAMEWORK

A SIGNIFICANT housing project has been announced as the first large-scale project procured through national framework provider Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework. Southwark Council has selected Linkcity as developer for its Tustin Estate scheme, which will feature nearly 700 new homes. This includes 200 replacement council homes, around 50 shared equity properties, around 220 additional council homes including keyworker homes, and around 220 homes for sale. A Pre-Construction Services Agreement is set to be signed to kick off the process. The project also includes a central park, several refurbishments of existing council homes and at least 1,800 sqm of commercial floorspace. Linkcity, part of the Bouygues Construction group, will work with the authority over the coming months with a view to signing a full development agreement in summer 2022 with Bouygues UK as the main contractor for the scheme. Construction will begin late 2022 and is planned to complete in summer 2028. Pagabo’s £47bn Developer Led Framework was the first framework of its kind when it launched to the market in December 2020, with 29 companies appointed across nine lots to deliver projects across a huge variety of development sectors. Jonathan Parker, head of construction at Pagabo, said: “I am thrilled to have been involved with the procurement of a developer for the Tustin Estate low rise redevelopment programme, which will provide much needed improvement and expansion of Southwark Council’s existing social housing provision, as well as upgrading the facilities for people in the area. “The Developer Led Framework was launched as a unique market offering to help procure significant projects that make a huge social difference, and Tustin Estate is exactly that. Having been heavily involved from the outset, we’re really excited to see this project come to fruition over the coming years.” As part of the framework and procurement process, Pagabo assisted with the procurement advice, development’s business case, early engagement, expression of interest, formulating the invitation to tender, quality scoring and tender moderation, tender summary report, and notification letters. Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Council Homes and Homelessness, said: “We are delighted to welcome Linkcity to the Tustin Estate and look forward to working with them and our residents to build quality new council homes. Southwark has one of the most ambitious council house building programmes in the country and the work on Tustin Estate will not only help us reach our aim of providing new housing but also enhance the estate for current residents.” As part of the initial phase of development, Linkcity will create around 200 new homes to rehouse current tenants of the estate. In addition, the developer will deliver 440 homes across two further phases over the next three years, through its construction partner Bouygues UK, with at least half of these designated as affordable housing. Tom Jackson, development director at Linkcity said, “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Southwark Council and the Tustin Estate residents to deliver the first project on Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework. It’s a great opportunity to provide social and economic value through local employment and education opportunities, as well as new homes for this thriving community.” For more information about Pagabo please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/.

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Burrington Estates Announces a Successful 2021

Burrington Estates Announces a Successful 2021

The continued strength of the South West property market and the launch of a new division in Central England made 2021 a successful year for Burrington Estates. This puts the company in a robust position moving into 2022 with a wide range of new homes developments due to launch this year. The award-winning housebuilder, headquartered in Exeter, completed 179 homes in 2021 and kickstarted its national expansion with the help of £13.5m investment from BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor. Founded in 2013, Burrington Estates is well known in the West Country as a creator of high quality homes carefully designed to suit modern lifestyles. It has delivered over 700 new homes to date, with ambitious targets of reaching 600 homes per annum by 2025. “We are in an optimistic position as 2021 draws to a close thanks to a very buoyant property market throughout the past year. While the initial buyer boost which followed the start of the pandemic stabilised, prospects for 2022 look positive with sustained buyer demand both in the South West and across the country. A typical Burrington Estates development really hits the sweet spot, combining excellent edge-of-village, semi-rural locations with premium quality design and finishes that really appeal. Buyers are well aware that they have to be willing to move quickly and potentially buy off-plan if they want to secure their home of choice,” said Mark Edworthy, Managing Director at Burrington Estates. Central to Burrington Estates’ growth strategy is its expansion into the Midlands and Home Counties with the launch of its new Central division. Its first development outside the South West was Tilehurst Green in Binfield, a community of 60 new homes that recently launched off-plan. The expanding Central division will launch two developments in Oxfordshire in early 2022 – a collection of 21 homes in Deddington will be available off-plan from January and also a new homes scheme in Carterton that will be launched in March. Show homes for both will follow later in the spring / summer. Devon and Cornwall have always been Burrington Estates’ heartland and its recent success in the region was bolstered by the post-pandemic surge in buyers moving to the South West. At Harbour Reach development in Fowey, Burrington Estates sold and completed all 46 private and affordable homes during 2021, creating a popular and attractive new community. Other success stories include Ash Tree Cross at Carnon Downs in Truro where the sale of seven private and seven affordable homes completed earlier in the year; and Stowford Mill in Ivybridge where the first three phases sold out by the summer. In total, Burrington Estates completed 118 private homes and 61 affordable homes in the South West in 2021. Strong demand for high quality homes in the South West looks set to continue into 2022 and Burrington Estates has several exciting new developments coming soon to meet this demand. At its landmark Winslade Park development near Exeter, the housebuilder will unveil a collection of 40 luxury apartments overlooking the Grade II listed manor, and 38 prestigious new build houses in the grounds of the estate. Other exciting new releases include the second phase of the highly successful EXIII development in Topsham, as well as significant new homes developments in Hayle, Bude and Bovey Tracey. Burrington Estates has built its reputation on creating high quality homes and attractive, enduring communities with a strong sense of place. From medium to large scale developments, high-quality mixed-use schemes, luxury individual homes and careful renovations, developments span a wide range of property types. It carefully tailors its homes to the needs of buyers to suit evolving lifestyles and places emphasis on the quality of design, build and specification, as well as ensuring market leading levels of customer satisfaction.

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Stylish Shanly Homes Set to Launch in 2022

Stylish Shanly Homes Set to Launch in 2022

Award-winning housebuilder Shanly Homes has had a successful year for property sales, with the housebuilder preparing to launch a number of stylish homes in 2022. Following a successful year for property sales in 2021, properties at Clock Field in Turners Hill, Old Halliford Place in Shepperton, Tilbury Lodge in South Croydon and Kingfisher Place in Bracknell are all now sold out. Additionally, homes at Potters Place in Haywards Heath and at the award-winning Amber Lodge development in Godalming, are now fully reserved. Now, the Shanly Homes Southern team are preparing for the launch of three new developments across Surrey and Kent in early 2022. Designed to meet the needs of modern buyers, homes at Hillcross Place in Sidcup, The Gables in Beckenham and Broadleaf Place in Caterham will be launching next year. “With all of the challenges the year brought, we are still delighted to have sold out several sites including Amber Lodge in Godalming, Tilbury Lodge in South Croydon, Kingfisher Place in Bracknell, Old Halliford Place in Shepperton and Clock Field in Turners Hill. We are looking forward to launching some new sites next year and continuing to build on this year’s successes,” commented Greg Kaye, Sales Director at Shanly Homes. Due to launch in January, Hillcross Place is a collection of 36 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments and 6 one-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments situated in Sidcup, Kent. Homes at Hillcross Place will encapsulate the best of open plan living. Contemporary kitchens will come complete with a range of integrated appliances, and all apartments will benefit from the added luxury of a balcony or terrace. Located just a short stroll away from Sidcup High Street, buyers at Hillcross Place will enjoy close proximity to beautiful green spaces at Foots Cray Meadows and a plethora of popular stores at Bluewater Shopping Centre. Shared Ownership properties will be available at Hillcross Place and first-time buyers can take advantage of a 40% Help to Buy loan. Situated in the charming Kent town of Beckenham, The Gables is a collection of 24 one and two-bedroom apartments set to launch in March. Each property will benefit from a spacious kitchen, complete with sleek, granite work surfaces. Bathrooms feature stunning white porcelain sanitaryware alongside contemporary chrome brassware. Ideal for commuters hoping to relocate to a tranquil neighbourhood, Clock House train station is just a four-minute walk away, from which Charing Cross can be reached in as little as 29 minutes. Set to launch in April 2022, Broadleaf Place is an exclusive collection of 34 two, three and four-bedroom stylish homes in Caterham, Surrey. All homes feature modern living spaces that are crafted to meet the needs of today’s homebuyers. Primary bedrooms benefit from spacious fitted wardrobes and en-suite bathrooms. Turfed rear gardens come complete with Indian sandstone patios. Ideal for families, Broadleaf Place is located within easy walking distance of seven schools and nurseries, including Audley Primary School for younger children and de Stafford School for older children. For those hoping to enjoy a selection of restaurants, bars and popular high-street stores, Croydon is only a 20-minute drive away, ideal for a leisurely weekend.

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Contractors announced on PfH Scotland’s £0.25bn EESSH2 framework

Stirling-based procurement services provider, PfH Scotland, which represents 95 social housing providers across Scotland, has appointed 25 contractors to its new £0.25bn Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing 2 (EESSH2) framework. Procast, Easy Heat Systems, Changeworks and City Technical Services are among suppliers to win places across eight lots on the five-year contract. In order to attract a wide range of small, local suppliers as well as national contractors, the framework is structured around six regions, covering every area of Scotland. Housing providers can access energy efficiency modelling through the framework, helping them to identify the upgrades needed to bring their stock up to Energy Efficiency Standards for Social Housing post 2020 (EESSH2) target levels. EESSH2 standards, which were confirmed by the Scottish Government in 2019, encourage social landlords to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions by ensuring all social homes in Scotland reach Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band B by December 2032. PfH Scotland’s EESSH2 framework covers whole property retrofit, feasibility studies, funding advice, land and environmental surveys as well as the servicing and installation of gas and renewable heating systems. Scottish housing associations and local authorities can procure from the framework either via mini-competition – where they can access template call-off documents and specifications – or on a direct award basis, meaning they won’t need to go through any additional tender process. Chris McGinn, PfH Scotland’s Commercial Manager said: “Research shows that just 7% of housing association stock in Scotland currently meets EESSH2 standards, so there is a long way to go before 2032. We did a lot of pre-tender engagement with Scottish housing providers, asking about the barriers to improving energy efficiency. They told us that identifying the right energy efficiency upgrades, accessing funding and delivering to deadlines were all areas they wanted support with and I’m confident this new framework will help providers to bring their homes up to EESSH2 standards.” Andrew Filby, Project Manager at Ayrshire-based charity the Energy Agency said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to ambitious targets on both climate change and fuel poverty, but this represents a significant challenge for housing providers.  Frameworks such as PfH Scotland’s EESSH2 framework will play a key role in providing a platform for Scottish housing associations and local authorities to access the technical expertise and experienced contractors to meet this challenge. Having access to the right skills will not only provide a pathway to EESSH2 compliance but also minimise the risk to both housing providers and tenants as we transition to a low carbon economy”. For further information about PfH Scotland’s EESSH2 Heating Services framework visit https://pfhscotland.co.uk/eessh2/

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