Leading industry award for homes created by Stroud District Council and Lovell
Published: Wednesday, 6 January, 2016
An outstanding community-based development of brand-new homes in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, delivered by Lovell Homes in partnership with Stroud District Council, has received one of the UK housing industry’s most sought-after accolades.
The Bronze WhatHouse? Award for Best Partnership Scheme highlights the success of The Paddocks and Old Common Mews in providing the area’s first new council homes in 30 years alongside high-quality housing for sale. Comedian and actor David Walliams presented the award to the Stroud District Council and Lovell team at the national WhatHouse? Awards ceremony, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
Leonie Lockwood, Stroud District Council’s business development manager, who leads the council’s building programme, says: “This development incorporates the first council homes we have been able to build for decades, so it’s terrific to see the very start of our new build programme begin with an award. Mixed schemes such as this are essential in helping us build sustainable and successful communities. Our tenants moved in exactly a year ago, so this award is a great way to mark the anniversary of their first year in their new homes.”
“We’re incredibly proud of this scheme which was developed and delivered in close partnership with Stroud District Council, and is a stunning demonstration of just how much a successful partnership approach can achieve,” says Lovell national sales director Justine Elliott.
“This new community-based development of open market, rented and shared ownership homes, built and designed to a very high standard in a sensitively landscaped setting, has brought fresh energy and life to this part of Minchinhampton. Working with the council we’ve been able to deliver excellent quality homes, including the area’s first new council homes for over 30 years and some exceptional new housing for sale.
“Ensuring the development is firmly rooted in the local community has been a priority, with initiatives supporting local organisations and providing training opportunities, creating a lasting legacy of benefits. To see the industry experts recognise the partnership’s achievements with a What House? Award really is the icing on the cake.”
The £9.5 million housing scheme has delivered 66 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes: 35 of the homes are for Stroud District Council for shared ownership and rent and 31 homes are for sale by Lovell. Through the strong working partnership with Stroud District Council, residents were closely involved in shaping the new development. In addition, Lovell supported a range of community initiatives including working with Minchinhampton Parish Council to provide a new bench for local residents and backing Minchinhampton School’s campaign for safe driving near the school.
The awards judges said: “Lovell does this kind of project really well, as proved by its consistent recognition by the judging panel over the years and this scheme in the delightful town of Minchinhampton reinforces this strength once again … Lovell has created some attractive street scenes: some of the properties overlook a generously sized green, allowing parents to watch their children playing from the kitchen; and the mix of external finishes incorporates lots of golden Cotswold stone, complementing neighbouring existing properties, and the local vernacular very well.”