The 2002 greenleaf housing awards were presented to housebuilding companies at a ceremony in London on 16 May 2003 at the Daily Mail offices in Kensington. The prestigious Hanson Award – for the finest greenleaf example of the year - was scooped by Bovis Homes for its development at Lydekker Park in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The greenleaf awards recognise the importance housebuilders place on the creation of a whole living environment and not just building new homes. The greenleaf judges consider aspects including the use of green space, retention of natural features including trees, hedges, ponds and streams and efforts to create a new landscape. Schemes do not become eligible for an award until three years after they have been sold to ensure that the developers initial efforts are not simply cosmetic. The awards are organised by the New Homes Marketing Board in partnership with the Daily Mail and the main sponsor, Hanson and the presentation ceremony took place at the Daily Mails head office in Kensington, London. 137 developments were originally put forward by housebuilders for an award. Of these, 59 progressed through the initial paper-judging phase, and following a personal visit by a greenleaf judge 55 of these developments received an award at the ceremony. The overall winner, Lydekker Park in Harpenden by Bovis Homes (Central) is a mixed scheme comprising general market housing and retirement accommodation. The housing itself is very well presented but the real attraction is the adjacent 2.5 acres of parkland that features mature trees, a water feature and seating, which was created by the developer. Many of the properties overlook the park, which is located close to the town centre. In addition to the Hanson Award, there were a further six special category awards presented by respected organisations, and 10 geographical award winners. The special awards recognise housebuilders efforts in one particular area for example the Help the Aged award is presented to the best retirement housing scheme. The geographical awards salute the best housing in eight regions across England, plus the finest examples in Scotland and Wales. In addition to the Hanson Award, Lydekker Park also picked up the Design for Homes special award and the award for the best greenleaf example in eastern England. Full details of these special award and geographical award winners are contained in the editors notes below. For more than 15 years these awards have given high profile recognition to the way that a good housing landscape can grow to become a valuable environmental asset for the residents and for the surrounding community, said Professor Chris Baines, the well-respected environmentalist, writer and broadcaster who chairs the greenleaf judging panel. Now there are clear signs that the Government is also beginning to take this aspect of the built environment much more seriously, with the publication of the Communities Plan by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the expansion of the role of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) to include urban greenspace. In greenleaf we have an award system that is extremely well suited to the emerging Sustainable Development agenda. This year's winning developments show once again that well designed and managed housing landscapes can help to put the heart in to the communities of tomorrow. The 2003 greenleaf awards will be presented in May 2004. Housebuilders are invited to put forward schemes for an award. Further details and an application form can be obtained from Zoe Barnes at the New Homes Marketing Board. Telephone 020 7960 1612. Email zoe.barnes@hbf.co.uk. END Notes for editors: 1. Launched in 1987 by the New Homes Marketing Board, the greenleaf housing awards celebrate the very best new housing landscapes each year. The awards have helped improve standards in the housebuilding industry. 2. The 2002 greenleaf award winners were:- The Special Award Winners: The Hanson Award Lydekker Park, Harpenden by Bovis Homes (Central) The Design for Homes Award Lydekker Park, Harpenden by Bovis Homes (Central) The English Partnerships Award Pierhead Lock, Isle of Dogs, London by Barratt East London The Help The Aged Award St Peters Close, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire by English Courtyards The National Urban Forestry Unit Award Spring Meadows, Gamston, Nottingham by Bovis Homes (Central) The Tree Council Award Ellenbury Park, Maidenhead, Berkshire by Crest Nicholson The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Award Pierhead Lock, Isle of Dogs, London by Barratt East London The Geographical Award Winners: Eastern Lydekker Park, Harpenden by Bovis Homes (Central) London Pierhead Lock, Isle of Dogs, London by Barratt East London Midlands Dove House Court, Solihull by Bovis Homes (Central) North East Castle Meadows, Kendal, Cumbria by Russell Armer North West The Brambles, Northwich, Cheshire by Redrow Homes (North West) Scotland Castle Park, Bothwell by Barratt West Scotland Southern Park View, Southampton by Barratt Southampton South West The Westerlands, nr Paignton, Devon by Midas Homes Wales Lyndale Park, Wrexham by Redrow Homes (North West) Yorkshire Highlands, Alwoodley, Leeds by McCarthy & Stone Other recipients of a 2002 green leaf award: Ashbourne Park, Great Sutton, Wirral byRedrow Homes (North West) Baden Court, West Kirby, Wirral by McCarthy & Stone Balmoral Park, Clitheroe by Barratt Homes Manchester Basted Mill, Borough Green, Kent by Crest Nicholson Beaufort Fields, Burton on Trent by William Davis Beecham Wood, Sturry, Kent by Ward Homes Brookdale Park, Warrington by Redrow Homes (North West) Cardinals Gate, Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire by Twigden Homes Church Meadows, Wychbold, Droitwich by David Wilson Homes (West Midlands) Derwent Grange, Borrowash, Derby by Redrow Homes (Midlands) Globe View, London EC4 by Barratt East London Hainault Drive, Verwood, Dorset by Bovis Homes (South East) Highland Village, London N21 by Barratt Southern Counties High Meadow, Maids Morton, Buckingham by Bellwinch Homes Kingswells Village, Aberdeen by Stewart Milne Homes Kirby Fields, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire by David Wilson Homes (East Midlands) Lake Royal, Priorslee, Telford by David Wilson Homes (West Midlands) Ledsham Park, South Wirral by Redrow Homes (North West) Meadow Court, Oadby, Leicestershire by David Wilson Homes (East Midlands) Mere Court, Chelford, Cheshire by David Wilson Homes (North West) Mickleover Country Park, Mickelover, nr Derby by Redrow Homes (Midlands) Millfield Gardens, Poppleton, York by Barratt Homes (York) Mountsorrel Gardens, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire by David Wilson Homes (East Midlands) Nanpantan Gardens, Loughborough by William Davis Primrose Hill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire by Persimmon Midlands Regency Heights, Berkhamsted by Barratt North London Rowan Gate, Wellingborough, Northants by Persimmon Homes (Midlands) Spalding Court, Chelmsford, Essex by McCarthy & Stone Squires Court, Sibbertoft, Leicestershire by David Wilson Homes East Midlands Squirrel Chase, Lancaster by Russell Armer Stanney Oaks (Phase 6), Ellesmere Port by Barratt Homes (Chester) Stonehills, Tewkesbury by Bovis Homes (South West) Stretton Hall, Oadby, Leicester by David Wilson Homes (East Midlands) Swan Meadow, Stratford St Mary, Suffolk by David Wilson Homes Thames Bank, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire by Beechcroft Developments The Jays, Colchester, Essex by Persimmon Homes (Essex) The Laurels, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire by Persimmon Homes (Midlands) The Ridings, Cropston, Leicestershire by David Wilson Homes East Midlands Thorn Lea, Dutton, Cheshire by Morris Homes Walsingham Gate, Orpington, Kent by Twigden Homes Weldale Court, Birkdale, Southport by McCarthy & Stone Wentworth Gate, Englefield Green, Surrey by Barratt Southern Counties Contact: Zoe Barnes, Corporate Communications Coordinator, Tel: 020 7960 1609 Mob: 07802 336790 Email: zoe.barnes@hbf.co.uk Nick Rawlings, Consultant, 01379 650112, nrawlings@stennik.com
