New homes development given green light thanks to planning success

Approval of the development by the local Planning Committee will allow 22 new homes, comprising of bungalows, and two, three, and four-bed properties, to be built by eQuality Homes. eQuality Homes is a not-for-profit organisation focused on making home ownership more accessible and on building thriving and sustainable communities for all.

Prospus Group’s services to eQuality Homes included site master planning and layout, topographical and ground condition surveys, property type design and layout, landscaping plans, drainage assessments, high-quality rendered images, and much more.

Tom Woof, Director of Prospus and head of the Consulting team, says:

Sustainability is a core feature of the development and it will not only offer superior quality, stylish homes, but also homes that will be built to exceptionally high energy efficiency standards. The homes will feature various ‘green’ elements such as solar panels and our Energy team are also currently pursuing a community heating system to help reduce heating costs further.

Phil Graham, Director and lead architect, added:

We want eQuality Homes to become known for not only having remarkably high environmental standards, but also as warm, comfortable homes that can accommodate many different types of family and friendship groups. This has been a core focus when designing the homes for this development.

We have included larger windows than other developers use, to maximise daylight, ventilation, and ultimately well-being and have also worked hard to avoid there being any overly small rooms. The houses have been designed in a modular way so they can be constructed off-site which offers better quality control and also gives occupants further options for extension and enhancement as their situations change over time.

A sense of community has always been important, and we have seen this more so than ever over the past year with the challenges that the coronavirus brought to us all. As such, eQuality Homes felt it vital that the development be a place residents can enjoy both inside and outside the home, therefore plans include a community green that will provide open space for residents to enjoy.

At the committee meeting councillors praised the proposal, saying that it addressed a number of the council’s wider aspirations regarding sustainable development with one councillor stating:

The green credentials here are great and aspirational… I’m really pleased to see this development has included nine bungalows; they are going to be fought after I imagine!

The mix of homes was also praised with a committee member sharing that they were happy to see the mix of housing and felt that the homes would fit really well in Kirkby Stephen and the area as a whole. It was also acknowledged that the types of homes that will be built is a good reflection of the types that they have seen a need and demand for.

As the meeting drew to a close, one councillor stated that the development…:

…could well set a standard for future developers. It’s very impressive. It’s forward thinking!

At Prospus Group, we are proud to offer a holistic service for house builders, including site identification and securing, master planning, 3D renders, planning applications, and more.  Our expert team can assist developers at every stage of a project from feasibility to completion.

If you would like to find out more about our services, then contact us today by clicking here.