Redrow has designs on better housing

UK-wide developer Redrow says it is encouraged by the findings of a report by architecture watchdog CABE, which show it to be one of the better performing housebuilders for urban design based on a sample of 300 schemes over the last five years.
Redrow’s Jupiter scheme in Birmingham scored 80% in CABE’s third and final regional mid-market housing design audit, covering the east and west Midlands and the South West. The remaining seven Redrow developments audited were all rated between 57% and 70%.

This survey of 100 developments by the main volume housebuilders was the final part of a national audit by CABE, which is the first complete analysis of the design quality of new private homes nationwide built over the last five years.

Schemes were measured on a wide variety of factors, including distinctive character, architectural quality, roads, parking and pedestrianisation, public space, plus inclusion of or access to community facilities.

There was also special mention in the report for Redrow’s affordable first time buyer product Debut. The first Debut scheme at Willans Green, Rugby, was highlighted as the most notable example of environmental sustainability, having achieved an EcoHomes rating of excellent and won a BREAAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) EcoHomes award.

Simon Bennett, Redrow’s marketing director, comments: “Our Jupiter scheme in Birmingham city centre was one of only two of the latest 100 audited developments to make it into the ‘very good’ category. Our next best performer was Ley Vale, in Frome, Somerset, which scored 70%.

“We are encouraged by these results but take on board whole-heartedly CABE’s comments that all housebuilders must work harder to design and build new homes that are technically capable of reducing energy use and are also part of beautiful and practical places to live. And whilst delighted with our achievements to date, Redrow shares these aims.”

Indeed, Redrow has already shown its commitment to delivering quality design across all developments through the opening of its Urban Design Centre, in Northampton; while Executive Deputy Chairman, Paul Pedley, was named among the first six house building industry design champions in an initiative led by CABE.

His role will be to make sure that design issues play a central role in business strategy and that the commercial and social benefits of good design are clearly communicated to the individual teams delivering new projects at a local level.

A further demonstration of Redrow’s commitment to good urban design comes with the news that Schooners Creek in Rowhedge, Essex, was one of the first 11 developments recognised in a new joint initiative by the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment and the HBF.

The new initiative highlights schemes that have adopted the Foundation’s design principles, helping to improve quality of life for residents and for being energy-efficient. Developments were also judged on the inclusion of local amenities, alternatives to car dependency, timeless designs and neighbourhoods with context and character.

Redrow builds around 5,000 new homes annually across England, Scotland and Wales. These encompass everything from Redrow’s affordable first time buyer Debut product to contemporary city centre apartments schemes, traditional family housing and refurbishment of Grade II listed buildings to create modern homes with original period features.

For details of new homes locally visit redrow.co.uk.