Holborough qualifies for LABC National Built in Quality Award

Berkeley Homes (South East London) Ltd’s, Holborough development near Snodland in Kent has qualified for the National Built in Quality Awards 2007.

The awards, which are run by Local Authority Building Control, administered by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, honour developers who achieve the highest standards in building construction across a number of categories.

After receiving the LABC Local Built in Quality award for zones 2 & 3 of The Boulevard, the first phase at Holborough, Berkeley Homes now qualifies to go head-to-head with other developers across the UK for the National award. The awards will take place at the Grovesnor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane on the 18th of October this year.

Properties at The Boulevard are similar to those at Leybourne Lakes, another Berkeley Homes’ scheme. They feature a timber frame system benefiting from an LABC System Approval, manufactured in Canada by BSW Alouette. The properties are further complemented by the Super E® System, a Canadian Government backed building initiative, which enhances quality of construction providing a living environment beyond the minimum levels enforced by the April 2006 revisions to the Building Regulations.

Individual elements of the structure at the floor, wall and ceiling and roof levels are sealed against the passage of the air with a polythene membrane and are subject to blower tests at set stages of construction, as well as final test upon completion. Residents also benefit from a heat recovery ventilation system that extracts and processes air from warmer areas of the property and distributes it to the living and sleeping areas.

All properties at Holborough feature New England inspired exteriors that blend seamlessly with the rural location.

The exteriors, which feature balconies, are combined with stylish modern interiors that create a distinctive look and feel. Large windows make the most of natural light and the surrounding countryside, while thoughtfully designed kitchens include a range of Bosch fully integrated stainless steel appliances. Bathrooms feature contemporary wall tiling and stylish sanitary ware by Hansgrohe and Villeroy and Boch.

Located near Snodland in Kent, Holborough is a landmark scheme that offers a rural location combined with excellent transport connections. Holborough is five miles from the M2 and even closer to the M20, giving excellent access to Maidstone and the M25. The towns of Rochester, Strood and West Malling are also within easy reach and provide an excellent variety of leisure facilities and fascinating places to explore. Holborough is also perfectly located for commuters, with an average journey time into the City of about one hour. A new Channel Tunnel Rail link station is planned for Ebbsfleet in 2008 and will make getting to London and the Continent even quicker.

Mike Ingram, Chief Building Control Surveyor at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council commented: “We were delighted to present Berkeley Homes with a Built in Quality Award for zone one of The Boulevard at Holborough. One of the hallmarks of quality is consistency and so we were even more pleased that we were able to repeat the award this year for zones two and three. We sincerely hope that they can become outright winners at the National final in October”.

Piers Clanford, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes (South East London) Ltd commented: "Berkeley Homes are thrilled to have been awarded a local LABC award for zones 2 & 3 of The Boulevard at Holborough. To be presented with an award, which not only celebrates excellent build quality but also the delivery of partnership, innovation and sustainability, is a great accolade and one, which we are extremely proud of. We are now hoping to replicate this success on a national level on 18th October" .

A selection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom houses are currently available at Birchleigh, the second phase at Holborough. Prices start from £160,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and from £250,000 for a three-bedroom, two-storey house.

For further information, visit berkeleyhomes.co.uk.