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The team at Great Homes Limited in Chafford Hundred is celebrating in style after it was announced that its Windsor Court apartment project for over 55s in Singleton, near Ashford, was awarded Best Retirement Development in Kent (****) in the prestigious Daily Mail Property Awards 2007. The award marks the latest stage in the growth of one of the county’s most successful housebuilders.
The top award follows on from the company’s Sandringham Court development in Hadleigh, Essex, which was named one of the best in the county in the Daily Mail Property Awards 2005. “We are delighted to have achieved success a second time in the Daily Mail awards, and for our two consecutive developments,” says David Sparks, managing director of Great Homes.
Mr Sparks and fellow director Mr Chris Lineham received the four-star award, one of the highest possible that recognises excellence in quality of build and design, in a presentation dinner held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. They were among 700 professionals from all sectors of the property market who had gathered to hear whether they had been successful in securing one of the highly sought-after property awards.
Chairman of the judges was Eric Pickles MP, Shadow Secretary of State, who was joined by a panel of property experts during the judging process. Among them were Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council; Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents; and Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4’s Location and Relocation television programmes.
Windsor Court, a development of 46 beautifully presented one and two bedroom apartment homes in a building that includes state-of-the-art safety and security measures such as a CCTV entryphone system and 24-hour emergency care facilities, met the high criteria demanded by the judges. In particular judges noted the awareness of environmental issues shown by the Great Homes team, its use of eco-friendly materials and the many energy efficient measures in place.
Designed by the Lee Evans Partnership LLP in conjunction with the team at Great Homes, Windsor Court stood out from the rest on many counts. For instance, the building has a timber frame made from sustainable wood sourced in association with the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA). This, coupled with the fact that all materials used were chosen for their environmental properties and the design was to ensure Windsor Court blended harmoniously with its surroundings helped the company achieve its success.
The judging for the Best Retirement Development in Kent category was broken down into five sections, each of which attracted a number of points. The winners were those that achieved the highest number of points overall. The first section addressed the location of the development and how well it met buyers’ needs, along with how effective each individual site was designed in terms of providing good garden and communal space. The site in Hoxton Close, Singleton, which is close to local amenities, scored highly.
The judges then looked at the development’s architectural style, the quality of finish and the materials used, the effective use of space, lighting and practicality. The wellbeing of residents was also a key issue in the judging process, as was how innovatively the project was marketed. The criterion was strict but Great Homes Limited met the requirements with ease.
Finally, the judges looked at specific details appertaining to a retirement complex, such as safety and security, the provision of a lift, added services such as the buggy store at Windsor Court and its residents’ lounge. The latter, particularly, wowed the judges. A honey and terracotta themed room with an adjoining conservatory that overlooks landscaped gardens and a reed pond, it was considered ideal for residents to forge new friendships.
“Our commitment to providing homes that are attractive, environmentally-aware and secure, firstly with Sandringham Court and now Windsor Court, has never waivered,” says Mr Sparks. “To have that recognised by the Daily Mail Property Awards judging team is a privilege.”
Great Homes is now building a similar development, Highlands, in Gidea Park, Romford, Essex, and plans to incorporate many of the same design, safety and security features that have proved such a resounding success so far. The team also hopes to source more land in Kent and Essex so that it can continue to provide retirement apartment homes of the same outstanding calibre in the future.
For further information on Windsor Court and the Daily Mail Property Award win for Great Homes Limited contact the company on 01375 484420 or visit its website at www.greathomes.co.uk. For information on the brand new development at Gidea Park contact selling agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000. |
