Single-family homes developer operator Casa by Moda has made a key senior appointment as it gears up to welcome its first residents in the coming months, with the addition of new Operations Director Sarah Nelson. Sarah joins the Harrogate-based business, which forms a cornerstone of leading build-to-rent business Moda Living’s
Local Bedfordshire housebuilder Crest Nicholson has launched its new development, Lewin Park, in the popular village of Langford. Lewin Park has been designed to reflect the surrounding natural environment, including a range of initiatives to protect and encourage wildlife in and around the development. Hedgehog highways enable wildlife to roam
The first phase of a regeneration programme in the London borough of Kingston-upon-Thames is getting underway with inspection support and structural warranty cover from LABC Warranty. A joint venture between Kingston Council and Countryside Partnerships will see the Cambridge Road Estate area revitalised with 2,170 new homes in total, across
Neil Yeomans, Head of Property Safety and Technology for Orbit has been appointed as the new chair of the National Housing Federation (NHF) building safety group. The NHF set up the group to help shape the sector’s response to the new system of building regulations proposed by the government, and
A Technical Standards team manager with a passion for sustainability and new ways of working has joined UK warranty provider Premier Guarantee as Head of Innovations. Andrew Fox worked with Countryside Properties (now part of Vistry) for 18 years as Associate Director of Technical Standards, focusing on improving homes’ energy
A new housing scheme at Herbert Avenue led by BCP Council and delivered by AJC group has won an affordable housing award. It received the Affordable Housing Development of the Year accolade at the Insider South West Property Awards. When complete the scheme will deliver 24 energy efficient apartments for
New data shows that homeowners across the country are turning to solar panels and insulation upgrades to combat high energy costs. According to the new analysis of planning applications by Barbour ABI, the number of planning applications citing insulation has more than doubled since 2019, and those citing solar panels
The best Site Managers across the UK are being recognised for their proven dedication and making a mark after winning a top house building award. The National House Building Council (NHBC) has announced its Pride in the Job 2023 Quality Award winners which celebrates the very best UK site managers
Bellway held ‘dusty boots’ events at five sites in Warwickshire and Leicestershire to give house-hunters the chance to get a close look at the new properties taking shape. The developer hosted the events at sites in Coventry, Hampton Magna, Cubbington and Lighthorne Heath in Warwickshire and Oadby in Leicestershire, allowing
LEADING house developer, has recruited an industry-leading light to head up its sales and marketing team, continuing its impressive trajectory of growth in the North East as it expands its current portfolio of developments. Tracy Iles joins the team bringing more than 20 years’ new homes and construction experience to
Single-family homes developer operator Casa by Moda has made a key senior appointment as it gears up to welcome its first residents in the coming months, with the addition of new Operations Director Sarah Nelson. Sarah joins the Harrogate-based business, which forms a cornerstone of leading build-to-rent business Moda Living’s single-family rental division, Moda Family Homes, with more than two decades of operational experience at senior leadership level within the property sector. Prior to joining Casa, Sarah was a Director in the Client Relations team at Fresh, a leading third-party management provider of purpose-built PBSA and BTR schemes across the UK. In her new position at Casa, Sarah will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of the operations teams as well as agreeing and implementing the company’s vision to achieve long-term, sustainable, and profitable growth. The role will also see her work with the rest of the senior leadership team to continue to drive the high standards and industry leading innovation that Moda is well known for within the single-family homes market. Sarah Nelson, Operations Director at Casa by Moda, said: “This felt like a very natural move for me. The Casa brand, mission, and values of putting the customer at the heart of everything are aligned to my own personal values, so I feel a very close affinity with Moda Living’s proposition. Straight away I knew I could both passionately commit and add a huge amount of value to the business. “The single-family rental market is growing at speed, so it’s a really exciting time to transition into this emerging sector. I can’t wait to see our new communities come to life later this year as we ensure our future Casa residents have an amazing experience living in our next generation of suburban neighbourhoods.” Stephen Rogers, Associate Director at Casa by Moda, added: “Sarah is a fantastic addition to the growing Casa team at this crucial, exciting moment for the business. With her wealth of experience in the living sector, we’re confident that she will play a pivotal role in the growth of Casa as we look to open our first neighbourhood this year and work towards our goal of securing 5,000 new family homes by 2025. “We know Sarah shares our vision of providing our residents with a best-in-class experience that puts service, technology, wellbeing and sustainability at the very forefront of what we are looking to deliver here.” The news follows Casa’s announcement in May that its first neighbourhood, Casa, Vista Park, will open its doors in Glasgow in the coming months, bringing 156 single-family rental homes to the Glasgow region for the very first time. The brands pipeline is continuing to grow, as it works to revolutionise suburban rental living experiences across the UK for its residents and wider communities with its focus on health and wellbeing, technology, sustainability and best-in-class service. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local Bedfordshire housebuilder Crest Nicholson has launched its new development, Lewin Park, in the popular village of Langford. Lewin Park has been designed to reflect the surrounding natural environment, including a range of initiatives to protect and encourage wildlife in and around the development. Hedgehog highways enable wildlife to roam safely and freely, whilst bug hotels provide a safe haven for insects. The hedgehog highways and bee hotels are supported by other initiatives, including hedgerow and tree planting and the provision of insect-loving plants such as lavender to encourage bugs and bees to the development. The new development will offer a range of three to five bedroom homes and a range of house types to respond to local need, meaning there is something for a wide range of prospective buyers, from first time buyers to growing families looking to upsize. Ready to reserve now, residents are expected to be welcomed from the end of May and can visit the brand new show home, the four bedroom Keswick house type, which has just launched. Charlie Joseph, Sales and Marketing Director for Chiltern, comments: “We’re excited to launch our new development Lewin Park, which makes the most of the surrounding Bedfordshire countryside and its village location. As part of Crest Nicholson’s sustainability strategy, we have created bug hotels and hedgehog highways as well as wildlife-friendly plants, all of which can play a huge part in helping us to make a positive impact on the local biodiversity. “Interest in Lewin Park has been high ahead of the launch, so we’d recommend anyone interested get in touch with our friendly sales team as soon as possible to visit the brand new show home, so you can be one of the first to secure your plot here.” Lewin Park is perfect for those who enjoy countryside living within a quaint village whilst having easy access to amenities and transport links on their doorstep. The development is located less than three miles from Biggleswade train station, which runs regular direct trains to London St. Pancras Station in 30 minutes. The development also has great access to the A1 and M1 making this an ideal location for those who need access to surrounding towns and cities such as Bedford, Cambridge and Luton. For families, there are a selection of schools rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted within walking distance of the development including Langford Village Academy and St Andrew’s C OF E VC Lower School, which are 0.9 and 1.2 miles away from Lewin Park. There are a range of local amenities within and around the village of Langford that residents can enjoy, including several restaurants and bars, plus Stortford Watermill and Nature Reserve. Prices for three, four and five bedroom homes start at £380,000, £520,000 and £650,000 respectively, with select plots available to purchase SmoothMove, Part Exchange and Deposit Unlock. For more information about the development, or to book an appointment, please call 01234 481 376 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/lewin-park. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first phase of a regeneration programme in the London borough of Kingston-upon-Thames is getting underway with inspection support and structural warranty cover from LABC Warranty. A joint venture between Kingston Council and Countryside Partnerships will see the Cambridge Road Estate area revitalised with 2,170 new homes in total, across a mix of home types and tenures, including 941 affordable homes and a minimum of 114 additional council homes. Block E on the site of a former community centre will benefit from LABC Warranty’s support. This £55m development within Phase 1 of the regeneration masterplan will create 206 new homes across six core buildings, including a 12-storey structure. The development consists of 134 private homes, 64 homes for social rent and eight for shared ownership, with all buildings joined by a shared green podium space accessible to all residents. LABC Warranty’s London Sales Director Julian Roper said: “In Kingston as in many other London boroughs, a tremendous amount of work is underway to provide new homes and spaces better designed for modern living, as well as more affordable homes so urgently needed. “It is very rewarding to be part of this work and I am delighted LABC Warranty will support Countryside Partnerships and Kingston Council in the construction of this part of the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration project.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Neil Yeomans, Head of Property Safety and Technology for Orbit has been appointed as the new chair of the National Housing Federation (NHF) building safety group. The NHF set up the group to help shape the sector’s response to the new system of building regulations proposed by the government, and to support housing associations towards a smooth transition into a new regulatory environment. Key focusses for the group now include sharing experiences and lessons throughout the sector on implementing new safety regulations and providing housing associations with opportunities to hear from the new Building Safety Regulator. Neil has been a member of the group since 2022 and has worked for Orbit for 8 years, heading up an award-winning property safety team who have received national recognition for their work piloting the use of a digital Building Information Modelling (BIM) to create a golden thread of building information for high-rise residential blocks. This year, Orbit has also been awarded a Merit for the second consecutive year for its commitment to customer and property safety by the British Safety Council in its globally recognised International Safety Awards and has received a gold health and safety award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for the fifth consecutive year. Neil takes over the role of Chair following the sad passing of previous Chair, Paul Dockerill, who was Director of Energy and Programme Management at whg housing association. Neil commented: “This group has a really important part to play in shaping the change that will be required across our sector to respond to a new regulatory regime. Paul was passionate about improving building safety, and as I take up this new role, I’m committed to progressing the excellent work he did to ensure that our shared focus on making sure residents are safe, remains the top priority.” Victoria Moffett, Head of Building and Fire Safety Programmes at the NHF added: “We’re delighted that Neil will be chairing our building safety national group. His knowledge, passion and enthusiasm will be a real asset to us in our work to support housing associations to keep ensuring their residents’ safety. “ For more information about the work of the NHF building safety national group visit: https://www.housing.org.uk/events/national-groups/building-safety-national-group/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Technical Standards team manager with a passion for sustainability and new ways of working has joined UK warranty provider Premier Guarantee as Head of Innovations. Andrew Fox worked with Countryside Properties (now part of Vistry) for 18 years as Associate Director of Technical Standards, focusing on improving homes’ energy efficiency and educating staff and customers on modern methods of construction. Describing the move to the latent defects insurance sector, he said: “I am really looking forward to supporting the structural insurance sector further embrace modern methods of construction and more innovative ways of building.” His career in housebuilding began with Barratt as a joiner and within five years he had been promoted to Site Manager. With Countryside, Andrew drove a programme to improve the energy fabric of new homes through incremental testing of products, systems and design details and refined the improvements to achieve a significant cost efficiency for the business. Premier Guarantee Technical Director Sarah Sheppard added: “We are really pleased to welcome Andrew to the innovations team and we are sure his experience and his passion on the subject of innovative and sustainable construction will be a huge asset for us.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new housing scheme at Herbert Avenue led by BCP Council and delivered by AJC group has won an affordable housing award. It received the Affordable Housing Development of the Year accolade at the Insider South West Property Awards. When complete the scheme will deliver 24 energy efficient apartments for people who are currently homeless and require a stepping-stone between hostels and independent living. The project aims to reduce dependency on temporary Bed and Breakfast accommodation, instead providing an alternative solution through the mix of 1,2- and 3-bedroom self-contained units. The development includes a number of green features, which led it to achieve Passivehaus certification. The plans also include bat and bird boxes which aim to maintain a healthy ecosystem. The development was also shortlisted in the Sustainable Development of the Year category in early June’s South Coast Property Awards. Commenting on the project, Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “This new development is so important to help towards our long-term vision of ending homelessness across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Helping people off the streets and into a safe place that they can call home, is something we’re all very passionate about. “To be recognised in these industry awards for the social impact of the scheme alongside the green credentials highlights our responsibility to our declared climate and ecological emergency alongside our commitment to reducing and ultimately ending homelessness, and I’m looking forward to seeing this accommodation in use once the development is complete.” Reflecting on their involvement, David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, said: “We are delighted to have won the Insider South East Affordable Housing Development of the Year as well as being shortlisted for the Sustainable Development of the Year at the South Coast Property Awards, as Herbert Avenue is a shining example of what partnership working can deliver. This trailblazing development for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been designed locally, and is being constructed by our local supply chain. And, as soon as the new homes are handed over, they will be occupied by local people. “With Poole and Sandbanks being such a tourist hotspot, the need for ‘move on’ accommodation might not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. However, the high cost of living here is why this scheme on Herbert Avenue is so vital. As a specialist in affordable housing, this eco-focused scheme is central to our core social values of building communities and delivering lasting change. We are very proud to be working on a project that will make a real difference to local people and the local economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New data shows that homeowners across the country are turning to solar panels and insulation upgrades to combat high energy costs. According to the new analysis of planning applications by Barbour ABI, the number of planning applications citing insulation has more than doubled since 2019, and those citing solar panels have risen threefold. Not only is this saving money on heating, but evidence suggests energy efficiency upgrades are now increasing house values, even as the housing market struggles. This trend follows the disruption of the pandemic, which had previously led to a surge in home improvement in 2019 and 2020, as homeowners spent savings on improving outside space and reconfiguring internal space to make way for home working. Barbour ABI Chief Economist, Tom Hall said: “The latest data reveals the exceptional impact on the home-improvement market created by an extraordinary series of economic and social disruptions. Covid saw home improvement applications boom as people looked to extensions, home office improvements and garden upgrades to improve home working conditions – activity has fallen over the last year but overall numbers remain above the pre-pandemic trend. “The surge in solar panel installations and the rapid rise in insulation work suggests that the cost savings from reduced energy bills and increasing evidence of an energy efficiency premium is now tempting for better-off homeowners.” Meanwhile, the pressure on the UK to meet its net zero targets is likely to grow, prompting the use of incentives or regulation to encourage reluctant owners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, so we expect this trend to continue.” St Albans in the home improvement capital of Great Britain St Albans in Hertfordshire has topped the league for the most home improvement planning applications in the UK. Looking at the hottest spots for home improvement, the Top 25 table shows that districts in London’s commuter belt dominate. The East of England and Southeast regions each fill nine slots on the table, with London taking five. The remaining two places in the top 25 are taken by Uttlesford, near Stansted in Essex, and Cotswold, in Gloucestershire. The Top 5 districts include St Albans, Three Rivers, Elmbridge, South Cambridgeshire and Epping Forest. Falloff in home improvement applications But whilst the sharp rise in the cost of living may have prompted many households in better-off communities to invest, the same pressures are restricting spending in poorer areas. All regions saw a sharp drop of 19% from a peak of planning applications in 2021, but it’s districts in the north of Britain filling out the bottom of the league whilst the Northeast is the hardest hit region, dropping 26%. Hall continued: “There can be little doubt that the home-improvement market will suffer as the economy weakens and the cost-of-living crisis bites deeper into the pockets of households. But counter to this, the case for investment in improvements that reduce the cost of running a home is increasingly making sense for those who still have money to invest in their properties. “However, there is evidence to suggest the benefits will not be felt evenly throughout Great Britain. Less-well-off areas will struggle to fund upgrades of any sort in the current economic climate, leaving them at the mercy of energy markets.” Barbour ABI’s full report will be available at www.Barbour-abi.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The best Site Managers across the UK are being recognised for their proven dedication and making a mark after winning a top house building award. The National House Building Council (NHBC) has announced its Pride in the Job 2023 Quality Award winners which celebrates the very best UK site managers and their commitment to raising standards in house building. Running for 43 years, the accolade which is awarded by the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, is the most highly regarded in the house-building industry and a prestigious benchmark for exceptional site managers. With only 444 winners selected out of over 8,000 entrants across the UK, the recipients are among the country’s best house builders. Commenting on the awards, Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC said: “Congratulations to all the winners who should feel proud to have received a Pride in the Job Award. Pride in the Job is firmly at the heart of NHBC’s mission to raise standards in the house-building industry. It is important we recognise the vital role site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards. This accolade recognises the best site managers across the UK and celebrates how much all the winners have inspired their teams by going the extra mile to deliver homes of the highest quality.” Judging for the awards is rigorous, with the current competition beginning in July last year. Each site manager is assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety. Thousands of site inspections and meticulous scoring and verifications have taken place to decide the winning site managers. The flagship competition has three categories for different sized businesses: small, medium and large house builders, plus a multi-storey category where site managers are working on projects up to seven storeys for multiple occupancy and finally the high-rise category for multiple occupancy projects over seven storeys. The Quality Award winners will now go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners unveiled in January 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway held ‘dusty boots’ events at five sites in Warwickshire and Leicestershire to give house-hunters the chance to get a close look at the new properties taking shape. The developer hosted the events at sites in Coventry, Hampton Magna, Cubbington and Lighthorne Heath in Warwickshire and Oadby in Leicestershire, allowing potential purchasers to get a valuable insight into the construction process and the energy-efficiency measures which come with a new-build home. Visitors were able to put on hi-vis jackets, hard hats and sturdy boots to view homes at different stages of construction during tours led by staff from Bellway South Midlands. Angela Nurse, Head of Sales for Bellway South Midlands, said: “These dusty boots events are incredibly popular with house-hunters as they get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how houses are actually constructed. “Prospective purchasers can find out about the quality of properties on offer and customers who have reserved can see how their homes are taking shape. “The events at all five developments were very well attended and our sales and site teams were busy giving tours and explaining some of the processes and procedures that are involved when a house is built. “Visitors saw properties at different stages of construction and learned more about the energy-efficient features included in our homes, which will help keep heating costs as low as possible. They could also see for themselves the attention to detail and the quality of materials, finish and specification that come as standard with a Bellway new-build home. “And as well as being of benefit to customers, these events enable us to better connect with our buyers and help support them along the homebuying process.” At Jubilee Green, off Watery Lane in Coventry, where Bellway South Midlands is building 40 homes, visitors were shown a selection of three and four-bedroom homes under construction. Visitors were also able to view a mix of different house styles at Bellway’s 147-home Hampton Trove development in Hampton Magna, at Kings Grove in Lighthorne Heath, where the housebuilder is delivering 140 new properties, and at Hazelwood in Cubbington, near Leamington Spa, where 133 homes are being built. Prospective purchasers were also able to see houses under construction at Horwood Gardens, in Oadby, where 89 new properties are being built by Ashberry Homes, which is part of the Bellway Group. For more information about the new homes being built at the developments, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/south-midlands.
LEADING house developer, has recruited an industry-leading light to head up its sales and marketing team, continuing its impressive trajectory of growth in the North East as it expands its current portfolio of developments. Tracy Iles joins the team bringing more than 20 years’ new homes and construction experience to the role. Before Lovell, she previously worked for four national housebuilders, working her way up from field sales manager to senior sales manager, before becoming sales director. She joins Lovell as its new sales and marketing manager, where she’ll be responsible for directing marketing initiatives to promote new developments and enhance sales. Tracy said: “I’ve worked in the property world for so many years now, but Lovell’s reputation for excellence has always preceded it. Following the North East region’s launch in 2021, the team has gone from strength to strength, and it’s exciting to get the opportunity to be a part of that.” “The North East region has an ambitious growth plan with a number of new sites coming to fruition across North Yorkshire, Durham and Tyne & Wear, and I’m looking forward to supporting the team during what is set to be an exciting time.” Tracy’s new role will also see her managing and recruiting sales staff and assessing land opportunities. Tracy said: “I’ve joined an incredible team committed to delivering homes of outstanding quality. I’ve been inspired by their enthusiasm, and I look forward to engaging with existing and new clients in the coming months”. Paul Devaney, regional managing director of Lovell Partnerships in the North East region, said: “At Lovell, we always aim to achieve and exceed the expectations of internal and external stakeholders, as well as our customers, by striving for a five-star house builder status. “This is because it’s really important to us to ensure that our house buyers are in a happy environment, and having the right staff members in place is a key part of that. “Tracy has a wealth of experience in the construction industry and is a great asset to our team. With her help, I’m looking forward to building on our success to date.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
