Famous five for Rugby starter homes

Fri, Nov 24th 2006, 11:00

Redrow’s innovative Debut homes at Willans Green in Rugby are in the spotlight again after scooping one of the housing industry’s ‘Oscars’.

The affordable properties, which enabled more than 100 home buyers to make it onto the ladder when they went on sale in 2005 at prices from under £50k, have just been given a ‘silver’ award for being one of the best examples of a sustainable development in the country.

The glittering accolade, announced at What House? magazines annual awards in London, is the fifth honour bestowed on the iconic venture in just 12 months. Debut @ Willans Green scooped the prize thanks to its eco-friendly design and use of modern methods of construction.

Judges for the What House awards commented: “Redrow is leading the pack as far as national developers go. Not content with nice words about corporate and social responsibility, it is actually delivering the goods. They have clearly seen the open market that is sustainable living and embraced the concept wholeheartedly in this development.”
 
They also commended the Debut range for ‘using modern methods of construction, including light steel frames that reduce site waste’ and for tackling sustainability at a community level by providing outdoor storage for bicycles and separate collection areas for recyclable waste.

Alan Dorn, managing director for Redrow Homes (Midlands), says: “We’re really proud of Debut and the difference it has made to first time buyers in Rugby, so it’s fantastic to gain industry recognition in the shape of these awards.

“We’ve already had independent confirmation of the eco-friendly and energy efficient nature of the Debut homes at Willans Green, in the shape of an Eco Excellent rating from the BRE* as well as success in the first annual BREEAM Awards, where it was named as the highest scoring EcoHomes assessed development in the 12 months to March 31st, 2006. Proof if it were needed that these homes are good for the planet as well as the first time buyers they were designed to help.”

Redrow’s Debut range has won critical acclaim and several top awards for bringing new homes within reach of genuine first time buyers. It was a major factor in Redrow being named ‘Major Housebuilder of the Year’ at the long established Building Awards, as well as being voted ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ by national consumer property magazine, Your New Home, and most recently helped to make the company West Midlands Business Insider magazine’s Residential Developer of the Year.

Tamworth-based Redrow Homes (Midlands) has developments in Birmingham city centre, Castle Vale, Rugby, Solihull, Lichfield, Leek, and Hilton, near Derby, featuring everything from Debut starter homes to contemporary city centre apartments, traditional family housing and the sympathetic refurbishment of a grade II listed period property.

All the Debut homes at Willans Green have now sold out, however information on other schemes in the Midlands and across the UK can be found at www.debutbyredrow.co.uk.