WhatHouse? Awards 2015 winners – Berkeley Homes Eastern Counties, Best Brownfield Development 

Not to be outdone by their colleagues in the South Eastern division, the team at Berkeley Homes Eastern Counties also had plenty to celebrate at this year’s WhatHouse? Awards, as it picked up a Silver for Best Brownfield Development for Holborough Lakes in Snodland, Kent.

Celebrity host David Walliams handed the prize over at the event in November, in front of 1,700 senior figures from the new homes industry at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Peter Smith, managing director of Berkeley Homes (Eastern Counties), says: “We are delighted to accept the WhatHouse? Award in recognition of the success of our Holborough Lakes development in Kent.

“Previously a brownfield site in the form of a large chalk quarry, we acquired the land over ten years ago without any planning permission. With the vision and expertise of our staff we have been able to turn it into a thriving lakeside community of homes supported by a robust infrastructure of amenities and transport links.

“Holborough Lakes includes a village hall, two trim trail paths leading to the lake, a crèche, a gym and a primary school. The development is set around a series of freshwater lakes, which provide a stunning backdrop to the new homes and a feeling of being at one with nature. Residents even benefit from a diving school and watersports centre on their doorstep, which really sets Holborough Lakes apart from other new build developments on the market.“

The WhatHouse? Awards judges said of the company’s achievement:

“Holborough Lakes is a breath of fresh air – a new community of over 1,000 new houses (with 25% affordable housing pepper-potted throughout the development), sited beyond the green belt in a former Blue Circle quarry. Find out more on the WhatHouse? Awards page.

“The architect, Stefan Zins Associates, has created a wide range of well-designed houses and constantly interesting streetscapes and vistas, from the impressive entrance boulevard flanked by four-storey New England-influenced apartments, to the individual villas and townhouses that overlook the central village green and the feature lakes that give the development its name.

“Berkeley, in purchasing this site without even the benefit of planning permission, took a huge risk, but its boldness has not only been vindicated, but also serves as an exemplar for development on and beyond the green belt.”