One Year On: WhatHouse? Award-Winner Hyde Group

The WhatHouse? Awards 2022 – the most prestigious in the UK housebuilding industry – takes place on Friday 18 November, and we’re reviewing some of last year’s winners. Today, it’s Housing Association of the Year 2021, Hyde Group, who also scooped another Award under its Hyde New Homes brand.

Referring to the organisation’s “forward-thinking” approach, judges noted that unlike many of its peers, Hyde plans to increase the number of new homes it completes, aiming to build 13,000 homes over the next 10 years. They also praised Hyde’s approach to sustainability, being one of the founding partners of the Greener Futures Partnership with four other housing associations, and its embrace of smart technology.

Judges said: “Importantly, it is also ensuring it delivers on social value, with innovative and influential research around the societal value created by its social housing tenancies; efforts to reduce homelessness through properties listed on its own specialist website, which other HAs are now contributing to; and a new housing management strategy.”

Hyde New Homes won Silver in the Best Interior Design category for the show home at its Art Deco-influenced Seaview Meadows development in Saltdean, East Sussex. “This house makes your heart sing for many reasons,” said the Awards judges. “The ‘Fairlight’, a three-bedroom home that is just over 1,000 sq ft, seems so much larger, due to the clever and modernist design vision, which translates into a contemporary scheme of modern homes.”

‘Fairlight’ house type at Seaview Meadows

Seaview Meadows is nearly sold out, with the final property remaining for sale a ‘Fairlight’ style home. It benefits from a large open-plan lounge and fully fitted kitchen/diner on the ground floor, with a low-maintenance rear garden that could be ideal for downsizers or those seeking a lock-up-and-leave coastal home. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, with a fitted wardrobe to the principal bedroom, and a family bathroom, complete with statement porthole window. The home is fitted with quality flooring throughout and is ready to move into.

Budget-conscious buyers will be pleased to discover that the home is now on offer at £485,000 and comes with a further £2,000 contribution towards moving costs.

Guy Slocombe, Hyde’s chief investment officer, commented: “We are incredibly excited that we won not just one, but two of these incredibly prestigious awards – where we are up against the best in new homes and housebuilders in Britain. These awards are fiercely contested, so to be judged by industry leaders and win Housing Association of the Year and Silver in the Best Interior Design category for Seaview Meadows really is exceptional.

“I’m so proud of Hyde and humbled to have been judged alongside MTVH and Abri, two housing associations we greatly admire. Hyde is a progressive organisation with an ambitious strategy. We are blessed with an incredible staff and outstanding partners who must share this award.”

Mark Docherty, sales and marketing director for Hyde New Homes, said: “This really is an incredible achievement for Hyde New Homes. We're thrilled in winning the Silver prize for the Best Interior Design award, particularly as we were up against giants in the industry, such as Berkeley Homes.

“Our vision was to translate Saltdean’s proud architectural heritage into modern living, with a nod to the historic concept. We wanted to bring everything together in a home that is spacious, functional and adaptable to the needs of contemporary life, balancing living space with ample outdoor space and clever details. The interior design was executed by Rebecca Tucker of SUNA interior design and encapsulated all of our ideas -we are thrilled with the result!”

Find out more at hydenewhomes.co.uk