Bennett Homes Named ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ Following Transformational Norfolk Project
Bennett Homes launched Abbotts Grange, an award-winning development in the attractive Norfolk village of Forncett St. Peter, for new homebuyers and families seeking rural living. The family-owned developer, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017, creatively transformed an industrial brownfield site into a contemporary development of 17 detached homes designed with a superior specification, using the finest materials both internally and externally. Tobermore provided the developer with Roma block paving as a hard landscaping solution – the rustic appearance, quality finish and unique three-sized block design of Roma complemented the traditional homes beautifully, ensuring an ideal environment throughout.
Andrew Higgon, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Bennett Homes, explained the objectives of the scheme: “Our vision was to produce an attractive, manageable residential development that would appeal to homebuyers and families. Forncett St. Peter offers country living in a peaceful location with a good range of local facilities in the neighbouring village of Long Stratton and the historical city of Norwich which is just 30 minutes away.”
The developer demonstrated outstanding care and consideration for the local community and commitment to minimising the impact of the construction on the environment. This was achieved by undertaking pre-construction ecology surveys, choosing materials to reflect local Norfolk vernacular style and drawing up a Landscape Maintenance Plan to secure a high standard of landscape management in the future. Edward Parker, Managing Director of Bennett Homes, commented: “Throughout we communicated clearly with the local residents, made a significant financial contribution to the local infrastructure and set up a Residents’ Management Company to give control over communal areas going forward.”
With a wide-ranging product selection, Tobermore, was well-equipped to provide Bennett Homes with a hard landscaping solution that would surpass expectation on an aesthetic level and achieve that all-important Norfolk country charm for the development.
Andrew Higgon explained the landscaping brief: “We wanted to find a suitable balance between hard and soft landscaping features, offering alternative open space to the residents and practical useable driveways. It was also important that we created a contrast between the driveways and main adoptable road on the development.”
Tobermore’s Roma block paving was specified in the softly blended colours of Bracken and Slate – the ideal choice to work with the surrounding natural colour tones on site. Roma creates an ancient courtyard look that evokes timeless style and elegance. Andrew Higgon commented: “Our decision was based primarily on the appearance of the product. We felt that it suited a more ‘up market’ development and this was one of our goals for Abbotts Grange.
“We were very pleased with the visual result on site – so much so that we’ve since specified Roma on subsequent higher end schemes.”
The success of Abbotts Grange resulted in Bennett Homes being named ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ for the fourth time by the National Federation of Builders, one of the UK’s most prestigious construction industry awards. Abbotts Grange offers traditionally-built, bespoke house types, ranging from four and five bedroom houses to three and four bedroom bungalows, all set in generous gardens. Edward Parker commented: “Abbotts Grange is an excellent example of a development which greatly improved the environment in which it is located.”
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