One Year On: WhatHouse? Award-Winner Backhouse

The WhatHouse? Awards 2022 Gala Luncheon – the most prestigious event in the UK housebuilding industry – takes place on Friday 18 November, and in the run-up to it we are looking back at some of the most successful winners from last year .

Chippenham-based developer Backhouse was awarded Silver in the Best Development category for its Merlin Rise site in Calne, a boutique development comprising 21 contemporary three-, four- and five bedroom houses.

The WhatHouse? Award judges were very impressed, saying: “The developer and architects’ striking designs have created homes with a distinctive sense of place, which are practical and sustainable”, praising elements including tall entrances and chimneybreasts, use of brickwork, render and stone, feature windows, thoughtful layouts and its overall design meaning low maintenance and lower energy and cost savings.

Ian Jones, Backhouse’s managing director, said: “We’re delighted to receive such positive recognition for our Merlin Rise development and to win this important industry award. Enormous thanks should go to the talented architects at Clifton Emery for bringing our vision of a better new home to life and to everyone involved in delivering this award-winning neighbourhood, which has proved a great success with residents.”

Graeme Fuell, director at Clifton Emery architects, said: “I’m delighted for Backhouse. They have chosen to go a different route from so many housebuilders and made design a real standout feature on all their homes.”

Merlin House is now sold out but the developer has released new schemes this year. Backhouse Midsomer Norton offers a mix of 40 three-, four- and five-bedroom new homes designed by the same architect as the Award-winning site. Homeowners will have the convenience of off-street parking for two cars and an additional garage with the five-bedroom Manor House. There are generous open green spaces and these new homes are situated close to Midsomer Norton’s new primary school, and within an easy commute to Bath and Bristol.

In September, the company unveiled a four-bedroom show house at Backhouse Blunsdon, which is a collection of 88 two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes situated in the historic village on the outskirts of Swindon, surrounded by beautiful countryside. The professionally decorated and furnished four-bedroom ‘Highfield’ has features common to the house types, with high ceilings, large windows, open and spacious living areas and a high specification of fixtures and fittings.

The WhatHouse? Awards Gala Luncheon takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane on Friday 18 November.