CRUDEN Homes and social enterprise Places for People are celebrating after winning the ‘Development of the Year’ accolade for its Longniddry Village project at the Homes for Scotland Awards 2023.
The awards, which took place at the EICC on Friday, recognise Scotland’s most innovative housebuilding projects.
Developed by Cruden Homes, in partnership with Places for People, Longniddry Village in East Lothian was awarded the title of ‘Development of the Year – Large’. The judging panel deemed the site a high-quality place for people to live, exceptionally designed and meeting customer needs, whilst also bringing economic benefits to the area.
The development provides a mix of homes for households of all sizes. Judges were said to be particularly impressed by the use of fine detailing and traditional materials, such as slate and clay roofing tiles, so that the homes blend with their surroundings.
Hazel Davies, sales and marketing director of Cruden Homes, said, “After receiving the ‘Home Builder of the Year’ title at the Homes for Scotland Awards last year, we’re thrilled to have received another award this year. Longniddry Village is a particularly exciting development which is made unique by its more traditionally designed exteriors combined with modern, spacious, 21st century living.”
Cala celebrated a double triumph on the night. The housebuilder was named Home Builder of the Year (Large), while Cala Homes (East) won the Development of the Year Medium category for its Newington Residences development in Edinburgh.
Judges praised Cala for its overall business approach, and in particular for broadening the range of locations in which it builds. They noted the Cala team has taken on the complexities of developing brownfield and city centre sites.
Jennifer Wylie, regional chair for Scotland at Cala Homes, said, “We are so proud to have won the Home Builder of the Year title once again, and to have been recognised for Newington Residencies, particularly with the focus of this year’s event on ‘People, Place, Planet’.
“These three tenants absolutely ring true at Cala, running through everything we do. Our Sustainability Strategy continues to guide how we build homes and run our business; building thriving communities – not just homes – is what drives us; and our people are truly what makes us who we are. Their work and dedication are the reason we are an award-winning homebuilder.”
The Development of the Year Small accolade went to Headon Developments for 22 Lade Braes, St Andrews.
Rural Renaissance triumphed in the Home Builder of the Year SME category, and Campion Homes won the Affordable Housing Provider prize. Rettie & Co was named Associate Member of the Year.
Elsewhere, Forster Group and Scotia Homes were named joint winners of the first ever winner of the ‘People Place Planet’ category.
Forster Group has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in more than 5,000 new homes in Scotland over the past five years alone.
John Forster, chair of Forster Group, said, “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values lie at the very heart of our business. We are committed to playing our part in creating and rolling out innovative technologies which can help to tackle the climate and energy crisis, while supporting the construction sector to deliver much-needed new homes. We are passionate about delivering the very best service and quality for our customers. We want to empower them to take control of their energy usage, harnessing the power of solar, so that they can have a better impact on the planet and reduce their energy costs.”
More than 1,000 stakeholders from across Scotland’s housebuilding sector attended the event, hosted by political satirist and impressionist Rory Bremner.
Chair of the judging panel David Knight, former MD at Avant Homes, said, “I was delighted to be asked to chair the judging panel for a second year and was hugely impressed and encouraged by both the volume of entries received – up almost 30% on last year – and the quality on show throughout submissions. With a particular focus this year on social, sustainable and environmental values, my fellow judges and I were struck by the many ways in which these key criteria were brought to life at the site visit and interview stage as well as the clear passion demonstrated by those we met.“We are grateful to all who entered, congratulate all members making the 2023 shortlist and applaud those taking home awards.”
