New homes in Stafford shortlisted for national award

THIRTEEN new homes – built on a demolished working men’s club site – have been shortlisted for a major award celebrating the country’s best affordable housing.

Stafford and Rural Homes’ development at Douglas Road West, in Coton Fields, is one of three shortlisted in the ‘Best Small Development’ category of the Affordable Home Ownership Awards.

The awards aim to recognise excellence within the sector and champion housing organisations who build lasting and sustainable homes.

"We are delighted that our new homes on Douglas Road West have been shortlisted in this prestigious award,” said Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of SARH.

"Building quality homes that give families in Stafford a solid footing is what SARH has strived to achieve since it was formed in 2006 so to be acknowledged for our work is extremely rewarding.”

The Best Small Development award is open to housing developments of less than 30 homes and is judged by a panel of housing experts on a number of criteria including:

- How the development met the needs of the local market.
- How well the cost of the property was managed without compromising the design and build quality.
- How the design features used made the most of the site potential.
- How specific challenges or local considerations were taken into account when developing this small scheme.
- How well the development met its objectives, including sales success and feedback from residents.

The Douglas Road West development is part of a £4.7million project by SARH which has created 44 affordable homes in the borough with our development partner Housing Plus and constructors William Davis Ltd and Clutton Homes.

In addition to the 13 new homes at Douglas Road West the project includes a further 22 completed on previously disused land at St Peters Close in Silkmore and a former garage site at Hawksmoor Road, in Rising Brook. Nine homes were also completed at Morton Road in Burton Manor.

"Our new build housing project is about so much more than bricks and mortar, it is also about creating homes where families can put down roots, bring up their children, go to work and build supportive communities,” said Karen Armitage.

The Affordable Home Ownership Awards will be held on Thursday, September 8, in London.