Latest News
29th June 2009
Muir developments receive award recognition
A NATIONAL housing association is building for success after winning a major regional construction award for one of its new build developments in Lincolnshire.
Muir Group Housing Association’s development at Strood Close, off The Drift, Harlaxton, has been named as the winner in the ‘Best Social or Affordable Housing Development’ category in the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) East Midlands Awards.
Also in the running as a finalist, was one of Muir Group’s developments at Cheshire Close, off Green Lane, Stamford.
Both projects were recognised for the best quality build design and construction in the East Midlands, which is a major achievement for Muir Group as it continues to invest significant resources in the region.
The winning multi-million pound large scale development, at Strood Close, of 23 houses and six bungalows was completed by developers Larkfleet Homes in May 2009, and provided rent and part-ownership tenures, all of which have been let or allocated.
Rather than selecting traditional alternative sources of heating to gas, which is not available in Harlaxton, such as electric or oil, Muir Group installed the most appropriate energy efficient heating system available - air source heating, which draws the outside air and converts it to heat to fuel the central heating and hot water.
David Robinson, director of development at Muir Group, said: “Muir Group is firmly committed to investing in new and affordable developments of the finest design and build quality.
“To have won this award, and have two of our new developments short-listed in the LABC East Midlands Awards, is great recognition of the very hard work and commitment shown by the development team, our partner contractors and consultants, and our ongoing support from South Kesteven District Council, without which these developments would not have been possible.”
Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Group, commented: “We are delighted to receive this award, which recognises and celebrates the role of high quality design and construction in maintaining village communities such as Harlaxton.”
The Cheshire Close housing development, on a disused garage site, involved building seven energy efficient homes, which were available for rent or part ownership, and were completed in November 2008 by developers Gould Construction.
The homes included a four bedroom bungalow designed for wheelchair use, which was built for the specific needs of a local resident, who was at the time on the waiting list for affordable housing.
The high demand for the properties on Cheshire Close meant all of the properties were occupied or reserved within three months of the homes being built.
The winning development will now go through to the national Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards being held in London on October 20, 2009.
