WhatHouse? Awards 2015 winners – Cavanna Homes, Best Partnership Scheme 

With over 90 years of experience in building new homes in Devon and the South West of England, Cavanna Homes is no stranger to regional renown and success, now taken to the highest national level with the company’s Gold for Best Partnership Scheme at the WhatHouse? Awards 2015.

Joining forces with Clinton Devon Estates, the company has built Horizon in Budleigh Salterton,  not only providing 48 new homes (with many allocated to young local families) but also nearly 90 allotments.

WhatHouse? Awards celebrity host David Walliams handed the prize over to the Cavanna team at the event in November, in front of 1,700 senior figures from the new homes industry at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Sales manager for Cavanna Homes, Lynn Worley, who received the award on stage, says: “These are beautiful homes in a stunning location and it is very rewarding for all of the project partners involved to have been recognised at the very highest level nationally for this important scheme.”

Leigh Rix, head of property and land at Clinton Devon Estates, adds: “This scheme has delivered everything we envisaged – and more.  It’s an example of how well thought-out, well designed new developments can help to build sustainable communities; providing a variety of good-quality homes to meet local housing need and also providing community allotments which, in this case, we were able to extend and increase from 56 plots to 87.”

Rick Williams, chief executive of Cornerstone, remarks: “40% of affordable homes is a generous allocation and we were involved right from the start, providing advice on the local housing need, supporting the community consultations and assisting with the design. The homes managed by us have all been allocated, mainly to young, local families who were previously priced-out of the local area.”

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

“The town...has a highly organised Nimby lobby, and, consequently, this exemplary scheme is the first development of new homes in Budleigh Salterton for around 15 years.

“It has been a remarkable success. The private sale homes have been popular with a variety of buyers, including local downsizers. There are an impressive 14 house types among the 48 homes, all designed in the local vernacular to sit comfortably in the landscape (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

“Perhaps Horizon’s most enduring quality is the sense of how much each of the stakeholders really cared about its delivery and success, and it shows in the final product and the budding new community it is creating.”