One of the biggest family owned homebuilders in Scotland is pivoting new developments towards providing more bungalows, which tend to be most popular amongst maturer age groups, for the first time since 2018. In recent times, most homebuilders tended to prioritise multiple-storey houses due to the lower profit margins that are achievable when building bungalows. 

However, Muir Homes, part of the Muir Group, is bucking this trend, starting with their new development in Stanley in Perthshire. The Deer Pines development will have two different bungalow house types, with 2-bed and 3-bed semi detached available to buy. More than a fifth of the development will be one-storey.

The 3 bedroom Brodick is on sale for £290,000 with over 884 sq ft of floor space. With an open plan kitchen and living room the 2 bedroom Fraser is on sale for £245,000 with 645 sq ft.

The change comes as National Records for Scotland reported in their most recent review of demographic trends that there are now more people aged 65 and over than people under 15 in the country. They explained that ‘This trend is mainly driven by the post-war baby boom generation getting older. But also, by people living longer and fertility in Scotland falling. Fertility is now at the lowest recorded level and is one of the lowest in Europe.’

According to National Records for Scotland, in the 1971 census, over a quarter of the population was under the age of 15 with only 12% being aged 65 and over. In the 2021 census this had flipped to be more than one fifth of the population being 65 and over, with just 15% being under the age of 15.

With its very own forest, wildflower meadows, and air source heat pumps, the Deer Pines development will also have a keen focus on the environment and deliver reduced running costs for homebuyers. 

Martin Smith, Chief Executive of Muir Group, commented: “Scotland’s changing demographics have been clear to see for some time now and with more and more interest in bungalows we are taking a strategic decision to build more of them going forward.

“Understandably, mature groups and even young families are now shifting towards single-storey homes due to ease of accessibility or indeed, just trend-setting. We believe that our developments thrive when we create homes that attract a wide range of groups that quickly establish and evolve into a vibrant and sustainable community.”

“Our new development in Perthshire will buck the trend of most homebuilders across Scotland, not only for its availability of bungalows, but also because of the focus on the environment and ensuring homes are fit for the future.”

For the eighth year running, top 10 UK housebuilder Keepmoat is contributing to the future proofing of the housebuilding and construction sectors by developing a robust talent pipeline of highly skilled workers via its sought after higher apprenticeships. 

As the housebuilding and construction sectors battle an unprecedented shortfall in skilled workers, with 30,000 extra construction professionals needed by 2026, Keepmoat has announced its commitment to developing young people and creating career opportunities across the UK via apprenticeships and training schemes.

In 2024, Keepmoat will deliver at least 51 apprenticeships as the business continues to hire apprentices throughout the year. As it stands six of these will be delivered as higher apprenticeships, in which the trainee will gain a qualification that is equivalent to a degree.

Zain Shafi, 20, started his Level 6 Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship last September and chose the route over studying full time at university. He explains: “Construction was always of interest to me and I particularly wanted to explore an option with hands-on learning. 

“I gained employment with Keepmoat through the Government funded Kickstart Scheme, where I  worked for 25 hours per week for six months.  When I successful completed the Kickstart Scheme, I was offered a full-time role which gave me the opportunity to explore and enrol on my apprenticeship.”

“My favourite aspects include gaining practical skills in the building industry, meeting people and learning from mentors to increase my knowledge. I also enjoy the days I go into university to also improve my skillset from the classroom.”

Keepmoat has been delivering higher apprenticeships since 2016, and as part of these schemes the housebuilder offers qualifications in Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Engineering and HR in partnership with multiple universities including The University of Salford, Leeds Beckett University, the University of Sheffield and Liverpool John Moores.

Tim Beale, CEO at Keepmoat added: “The UK needs 30,000 extra construction professionals by 2026 to meet growing demand across the sector. As a specialist in providing local employment opportunities and training to inspire careers in construction, we’re addressing the skills shortage head-on by educating young people on the exciting opportunities available via our school outreach and apprenticeship programmes.

“The UK is also experiencing the ripples of an ageing population and the construction sector is set to see more skills leave the industry than any other area. By championing training and development and understanding that we have a clear responsibility to help deliver a sustainable future, we are prioritising education and training to inspire the next generation of employees. We have several initiatives in place to support the next generation of construction workers.”

To find out more, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/careers/apprenticeships

Westcountry housebuilder Cavanna Homes is preparing to begin construction work at four new sites across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, with a further ten sites in the pipeline.

The new developments, containing a mixture of open market and affordable housing, will be built in phases on sites across the South West, with demand for new homes expected to remain strong.

The forthcoming developments, which when combined will deliver over 700 homes, will be in Bickington and North Molton in North Devon, Beaminster in West Dorset and Wembdon in Bridgwater.

Construction work continues at the firm’s three developments in Exeter, and its communities in Bude and Holsworthy. Popular sites in Tavistock and Hemyock will be completed later this year.

In 2023, which was Cavanna Homes’ centenary year, the Torbay headquartered business recorded sales income of £54m, handing over 106 open market homes and 112 social homes.

James Stride, Director of Construction said: “Unusually we delivered more affordable housing than open market homes last year. However, this is an important contribution to help alleviate the housing need in the South West, and can only be achieved by developers and local authorities working together to build quality new homes.”

Cavanna Homes was praised in two prestigious industry awards in 2023. It made the shortlist in the annual Housebuilder Awards in the category ‘Best Design for Three Storeys and Under’, for the development Broadleigh Park in Tavistock. Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill in Newton Abbot was a finalist in the category ‘Residential Project of the Year (35 Homes and Under)’ at the Michelmores Property Awards.

Focused on strengthening its senior team, the firm appointed Alan Bray, Director of Commercial, Sophie Aylott, People and Culture Manager, and Hayley Mills, Head of Customer Services. Three apprentices were also taken on at the end of the year, reflecting Cavanna’s commitment to the next generation of housebuilding professionals.

Grayham Tucker, who became Group Managing Director at the beginning of 2023 said: “It was a privilege to join Cavanna Homes in its centenary year and steer the business through some challenging times, completing the year with a set of strong sales figures.

“The challenges, caused by external factors including increases in borrowing costs and issues around government housebuilding targets, are likely to continue through 2024 but I believe the great team at Cavanna is well-placed to deal with them.”

The whole Cavanna team came together regularly during 2023 to support Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) by way of a sponsored cycle ride, themed lunches, dress down days and raffles.

Since 2019 the firm has raised over £100,000 for the charity and in December it announced that colleagues had unanimously backed the decision to make CHSW its official Charity Partner.

Housebuilder on track to smash sales targets for 2022 as demand for new homes soars

Davidsons Homes South Midlands has already secured over half of its projected sales for 2022 – before the year has even begun.

A surge in demand during the second half of this year has seen the Blisworth-based housebuilder not only meet its benchmark for 2021 ahead of schedule but also achieve 56 per cent of its target for next year.

With new sales offices due to launch at developments in Meppershall and Biddenham in 2022, the housebuilder is expecting the high demand and strong sales to continue well into the new year.

Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons Homes South Midlands, said: “To be entering a new year with over 50 per cent of our projected sales for the forthcoming 12 months already achieved is completely unprecedented for us as a region.

“It is a reflection not only of the exceptionally high level of demand for homes in the South Midlands but also our success in meeting the needs of housebuyers whose priorities have shifted markedly since the start of the pandemic. Spacious family homes represent a core part of our product mix, and these have proved particularly popular with people seeking more space due to the rise in homeworking.

“Location has also been a key factor in the strong sales rates across our developments. We build in carefully selected locations which offer an attractive setting and enviable quality of life – things which have become even more highly sought after over the past 18 months.

“Demand has been especially high towards the back end of the year. We met our 2021 target in November and around half of the forward sales for next year have taken place within the past three months.

“We therefore expect this momentum to continue well into the new year, so would advise anyone interested in buying a new home with us in 2022 to act quickly to ensure they don’t miss out.”

Davidsons Homes South Midlands is currently building and selling new homes at developments in Hanslope in Buckinghamshire, Houlton near Rugby, Meppershall in Bedfordshire, Rushden in Northamptonshire, and Market Harborough in Leicestershire.

A sales office and showhome are due to open at the Woodlands Rest development in Meppershall in January, while the first homes at a new site in Biddenham will go on sale later in the year.

For more information about developments being built by Davidsons Homes South Midlands, visit www.davidsonshomes.co.uk.

Housebuilder on track to smash sales targets for 2022 as demand for new homes soars

Property & Development Magazine

Investment in Shrewsbury : Bellway has launched a search for more land in Shrewsbury to add to the 379 homes the developer is already delivering in the town.

Since 2018, Bellway has completed 125 private and affordable homes at The Spinney in Oteley Road and at Copthorne Keep, the regeneration project at the former Copthorne Barracks. A further 254 homes will be built across the two sites.

The developments have proven to be the most popular across Bellway’s West Midlands patch. They have also generated significant investment in the community, with more than £2 million spent on infrastructure. This is in addition to Bellway’s support for charities including Shrewsbury Foodbank, Shrewsbury in Bloom and Shropshire School Sports and Athletics Association.

Ben Wright, Managing Director of Bellway West Midlands, said: “Demand for new homes in Shrewsbury has remained high over the past three years and there is every indication this will continue.

“Across Copthorne Keep and The Spinney we have been able to provide a broad range of homes which have been well received by buyers.

“Both are important sites for the town. The Spinney is the first phase of a new neighbourhood, while Copthorne Keep is creating a new purpose for the historic barracks and we have committed to preserving the 19^th Century Keep, converting it to an apartment building.

“We feel confident we have a solid understanding of the local market and are well placed to continue bringing new homes to Shrewsbury, providing land is available in the right locations.”

Bellway’s contributions to local services and infrastructure include more than £1 million for education, £115,000 to improve cricket facilities at Frankwell County Ground, and £100,000 for a pedestrian crossing, all linked to Copthorne Keep.

Bellway will pay £769,000 as a Community Infrastructure Levy under its planning agreement for The Spinney. This enables the local authority to spend the money where it is most needed.

Ben said: “Planning agreements ensure that growing communities have the infrastructure they need to accommodate more homes, yet the benefits of new homes extend far wider. The build process supports jobs in the local area and the economy is further boosted by the arrival of new residents.”

Bellway is encouraging landowners in and around Shrewsbury who feel their land may be suitable for housing to make contact. Bellway’s land team can work with them to establish the viability of developing the land. For more information email Aaron.Gibbins@bellway.co.uk.

Property & Development Magazine

A new collection of homes at The Hawthorns by award winning housebuilder Hill has just been unveiled. The selection of three and four bedroom family houses are conveniently located on the edge of the historic Cambridgeshire village of Sawston, surrounded by picturesque countryside. Ready to move into from October, and now over 50% sold, these exciting homes perfectly balance rural country living with seamless connections to both Cambridge and London.

For those seeking an idyllic lifestyle for their families, Sawston is sure to impress. A rural centre, the village features a range of amenities including a selection of cafes and pubs, a doctors surgery, a village hall as well as three Ofsted rated ‘Good’ schools for children of all ages. The region’s newest business park, The Works at Unity Campus is just a 10 minute cycle ride away and the world renowned Cambridge Biomedical Campus is a short five mile drive from home. The historical city of Cambridge is just seven miles away and is perfect for either an evening or day away from home. Lined with an array of tasty restaurants, museums, independent shops and boutiques as well as theatres, there is plenty to keep the family entertained.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Hill comments: “The Hawthorns is one of our most picturesque housing collections. Exteriors have been created to blend in with the existing landsape and interiors are spacious in design in order to cater for the whole household. Perfect for families with young children, residents profit from well sized gardens as well as access to onsite play areas and local footpaths. The village of Sawston itself is a hub of activity with an already established thriving community at is centre, we are sure that prospective purchasers will be pleased with the offering here.”

Sawston offers excellent transport links for residents by both rail and road. It is situated less than three miles from the A11 and less than four miles from the M11, while Whittlesford railway station (two miles away) offers direct links to London Liverpool Street in just 1 hour and 15 minutes and Cambridge Train Station in 11 minutes. A regular bus service from Sawston to Cambridge operates every 15 to 30 minutes.

Prices start from £409,950 for a three bedroom semi detached customisable house. To book a viewing or for further information visit www.hawthorns-sawston.co.uk or call 01223 607505.

Property & Development Magazine

Rippon Homes builds up female employees : Mansfield based housebuilder, Rippon Homes, is supporting Junior Quantity Surveyor, Sarah Morris, build a fulfilling career in what is often perceived as a male dominated industry.

26-year-old Sarah, who lives in Edwinstowe with her partner Arron, joined the company almost two years ago and in that time has completed a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Construction and the Built Environment and started a bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Nottingham Trent University.

She entered the housing industry after taking an admin job at Wynbrook to escape the unsociable hours of the hospitality industry and it was there she found an interest in surveying.

“I met an amazing woman at Wynbrook who became a kind of mentor to me, she supported my ambitions so I was able to step into her role as a material buyer once she moved on which is where I discovered surveying.

“Her confidence was inspiring and she taught me the importance of speaking up for myself, which is especially important in rooms where women aren’t as present.

“She made me a strong believer in girl-power, which is something I’ve seen through my education too. As there have only been a few girls on my courses, we band together and are stronger for it.”

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is “Choose to Challenge”, and Sarah is clear that it’s not just down to the women to rise

to it.

“Men play just as much part in supporting women in the industry, and the team at Rippon has been incredible at that. My senior surveyor, Andrew Linley, has been fantastic at offering assistance and advice at every opportunity, and of course I’m so grateful for the company’s support in beginning my bachelor’s degree.

“I’ve been so lucky in the mentorship I’ve received so far in my career, helping me build the pillars to achieve my ambition of becoming a commercial manager one day. I’ve loved the chance to share the wisdom I’ve learned by mentoring younger members of the team, helping them with college assignments so they too can build the career they dream of.

“To any women considering a career in the housebuilding industry, I’d say don’t be afraid of it. It can be seen from the outside as an intimidating man’s world, but there are fantastic people everywhere so reach out to them and don’t let anyone push you out.”

Ian Dyke, Managing Director at Rippon Homes, added, “We’re really proud of Sarah; she’s achieved so much in the time she’s been with us, and has a very bright future ahead of her. At Rippon we are keen to challenge the notion that housebuilding is a man’s world and support our team in their ambitions.”

For more information on Rippon Homes, visit www.ripponhomes.co.uk. 

Property & Development Magazine

Colindale Estate Regeneration : Award-winning housebuilder and regeneration specialist Hill has formed a partnership with leading housing provider Home Group to deliver the regeneration of the Douglas Bader Park estate in Colindale, in the London borough of Barnet. The new joint venture partnership, Home Hill LLP, will transform the 1970s estate to create over 750 new homes, while ensuring all existing customers benefit from a new, high-quality home.

Douglas Bader Park is a Home Group estate currently comprising 271 existing homes that are in need of upgrading. A ballot carried in 2019 under the Mayor’s mandate that residents vote on estate renewal, found over 75% of residents were in favour of regeneration, on a turnout of 90%.

The proposed masterplan for the estate designed by architects Levitt Bernstein will replace the existing housing with 272 affordable new homes and 481 homes available for private sale, in a mix of tenure blind apartment blocks, maisonettes and houses. All existing residents have been given the option to be rehoused on the estate, with properties ranging in size up to six bedrooms to meet their needs. A detailed planning application was submitted to Barnet Council in December 2020 and construction is planned in three phases that will take approximately ten years to complete.

The Douglas Bader Park estate was built in the 1970s using ‘no-fines’ concrete, which was later found to have poor structural soundness. A full assessment by Home Group in 2016 found the homes fell short of expected standards and that a comprehensive regeneration of the entire estate would be the best long-term approach. Following the resident ballot in favour of regeneration, Home Group and Hill have continued to consult with residents as the plans have been developed, with online engagement taking place over the past year during COVID-19 restrictions.

The proposed development creates a vibrant and leafy new neighbourhood providing improved permeability with footpaths and landscaping including a central square. The wider network of open green space adjacent to the newly transformed estate will be significantly improved and landscaped. The affordable homes include houses, maisonettes and apartments and the properties for private sale will be one and two-bedroom apartments in a series of buildings up to nine floors high. A mixture of car parking including basement, podium and off-street parking is included in the plans, so that cars do not dominate the surrounding area.                                

Andy Hill, Chief Executive at Hill said: “We are extremely pleased to exchange contracts on this joint venture with Home Group through which we will significantly improve the quality of homes and their surroundings for existing Douglas Bader Park residents. The needs and aspirations of current and future residents remain central to our approach, boosted by our extensive experience in delivering successful community-led regeneration.” Joe Cook, Executive Director of Development at Home Group, said: “We were delighted with the response by our customers who were overwhelmingly in favour of the regeneration of Douglas Bader Park.  We consulted extensively and listened carefully, and we will work closely with our customers and continue to listen to them throughout the lifetime of the development. And in doing so, I know that we and our partners Hill, will provide an estate fit for purpose and one in which the community can take pride.”

Property & Development Magazine

NATIONAL housebuilder Lovell Homes has launched its newest Eastern development named Stephenson Grange – located near Derbyshire’s Peak District – through an online event that answered the top questions relating to mortgages as well as giving a virtual taste of life in Holmewood.

The brand-new development, that will provide a mixture of affordable and luxury homes perfectly suited to first-time buyers, was revealed in a different format compared to the usual in person launches, giving Chesterfield house hunters a unique perspective and the chance to find out everything there is to know about mortgages.

Prospective purchasers tuned in to the Lovell Homes Instagram channel for  exclusive access to a simple buyers guide, which is now available to view on demand here, with expert advice from Mortgage Pathways.

Chesterfield-local Joanne James, who is also the new sales executive at Stephenson Grange, used the launch to give viewers a realistic insight into life in Holmewood – from the distance to the shops for that all important pint of milk to how long the school-run will take.

Joanne said: “It can seem overwhelming when buying a house, especially as a first-time buyer and it is apparent that the different types of mortgage rates available – including the government’s new five per cent mortgage scheme – the stamp duty holiday, and the Help to Buy Scheme are topics that Chesterfield house hunters were desperate to find out more about.

“In normal circumstances we would have opened our doors and invited people in to celebrate our brand-new launch – obviously things must be done differently at the moment and we’ve actually found that people enjoy being able to do some research from their sofa before making an appointment to visit. “

Located in Holmewood village, just five miles from Chesterfield and within proximity to the Peak District, the 156-home development offers a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties. The development has been designed to appeal to a broad audience – from first-time buyers, growing families or those looking towards retirement.

All of the properties at the new build development feature open plan kitchen/dining areas, integrated appliances, spacious rooms, contemporary finishes and two off-street parking spaces, perfectly suited to anyone searching for a dream, life-long home.

Colette Ben Tarcha, sales director at Lovell, added: “Chesterfield is on the edge of the Peak District so you’re a stone’s throw away from beautiful walks and the stunning market towns of Matlock and Bakewell too. It also boasts excellent commuter links, being just ten minutes away from the M1 by car, allowing easy access to Sheffield and Nottingham for shopping, nights out and work.

“The development has been designed to appeal to a wide audience with different house types available, each with a contemporary feel and suitable to cater for all needs. We have three show homes available for viewings, the two-bedroom semi-detached Fairhaven, three-bed semi-detached Lansdown and the three-bedroom detached Puttenham, each offering different layouts. Our show homes also have a family friendly interior design, which gives a great idea of space to show future residents how they can design their home.” 

Stephenson Grange is part of a joint venture between Together Housing Group and Lovell Partnerships who have joined forces in a bid to tackle the housing crisis across the region. Of the 156 homes, 38 will be available for affordable rent via Together Housing Group or shared ownership via Together Homes in a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom houses.

Interest in Stephenson Grange has already been strong due to its desirable location and strong commuter links, as well as its wealth of public amenities including a doctor’s surgery, post office and a library. Current released two-bedroom homes start from £169,000 and three-bedroom homes from £195,000.

The first homes will be ready to welcome new residents in summer 2021 and the development is expected to be completed in 2023. Site visits and show home tours must be booked in advance with visitors adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, including the wearing of face masks, limited numbers, and social distancing.

Marketing suite and show home opening hours are Thursday to Monday 10am – 5pm. For further information on the development or to book an appointment, visit https://www.lovell.co.uk/developments/stephenson-grange-holmewood/  or call us on 01246 641 368 For more information about Lovell Homes please visit www.lovell.co.uk or follow @Lovell_UK on Twitter.

Property & Development Magazine