We’re really thrilled to announce that Lilac Close and Lime Tree Court, Hatfield, Hertfordshire were awarded Best High Volume New Housing Development at 2019 at the Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards
The scheme for Welwyn Hatfield District Council at Lilac Close (formerly Furzen Crescent) and Lime Tree Court (previously known as Garden Avenue) is a mixed development of social housing. It creates some of the first new social housing in Welwyn Hatfield provided by the council in over 20 years. Council teams together with Hertfordshire Building Control worked with Architects Rock Townsend and construction partners Mears New Homes, to deliver both projects.
A panel of industry experts judged a list of the highest quality projects from around England and Wales. Rewarding the best in technical innovation, sustainability, safety, and design.
This scheme of new affordable homes built on a garage site has helped to tackle historic issues such as anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. The homes have been constructed to meet Lifetime Home Standard and all can be easily adaptable as tenants’ needs change. Discussions with HBC building control and the fire authority helped with technical challenges. Therefore the constrained fire brigade access was resolved in pre-application advice. Resulting in enhanced fire and sprinkler systems that are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and less damaging than the norm.
Tenant Jodie Simmons of Lime Tree Court said: “We couldn’t believe we were offered something this nice in the perfect location for our jobs and being close to our families.” New tenant Ella Jones of Lilac Close, said: “The house is lovely, it doesn’t feel like a council house. I’m very happy.”
The panel of expert judges said “This new development has transformed a run-down area that attracted anti-social behaviour by providing good quality affordable homes that are badly needed locally. The development comprises a mix of apartments and family homes. Contrasting contemporary designs clearly enhance the area and will help set the bar for the future.”
LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: “Our building excellence awards are an opportunity for the industry to celebrate good practice. Our winners demonstrate how positive working relationships with local council building control teams achieve high quality, sustainable buildings. Our awards are unique because they recognise how this cooperation improves building standards and professionalism across the industry.”
The Grand Final of the LABC Building Excellence Awards took place on Friday 8th November 2019 at the Westminster Park Plaza in London. Hosted by multi award-winning comedian Milton Jones. Over 800 building industry professionals attended. Contractors, architects, and engineers eagerly awaited to find out which projects won across the 15 hotly contested categories. These awards showcase buildings and design teams that tussle with complex technical or construction issues and building site constraints. They highlight innovative and creative solutions and building control professionalism that leads to safe, sustainable, and high-quality construction projects.
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For more information about the LABC Awards click here
