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Three Rivers has won the 'Innovation' category at the North-Easts third annual Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment Awards 2007 at the Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel last week. The event is an opportunity for industry leaders to turn out once a year to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the North-East’s construction industry. Three Rivers, winner of the 'Innovation Award 2007' was for its development of eight 2-bedroom bungalows at West Rainton in County Durham. The scheme is the first of two phases which have been developed within this local County Durham village. The homes have been designed to Lifetime Homes Standards to achieve an Eco-homes rating of very good. This announcement follows on from the success of last years event when Northern Edge, a housing association-led consortium was recognised for excellence in the field of innovation. Three Rivers is a key partner in the Northern Edge partnership and last year, was recognised for being the only social housing-led consortium to be selected as one of nine stage two winners in the ODPMs Design for Manufacture competition. Lynda Peacock, Director of Development and Regeneration at Three Rivers commented on this years achievement and said, "We are delighted to have won this award which was commended by the judges as "Providing Sustainability and Innovation in the Built Product." Personally, I would like to thank my whole team and our partnership approach within the scheme development, through constructors CGR ECOHOMES Ltd. and Beco WALLFORM whose product was used for the structures. I would also like to thank Durham City Council with whom we have a Sustainable Homes Charter in delivering successful eco schemes such as this as well as the residents who have now moved into the first phase and are living in one of the most affordable and efficient homes in the North East. Our customers will substantially reduce their fuel bills and ultimately the running costs of their homes. "It goes without saying that we will be working twice as hard in this coming year with the aim to try and make it an innovation hatrick next year!" Three Rivers part of the Spirit partnership received a grant of £640,000 from the Housing Corporation towards the total project costs at West Rainton, the Group is a key member of the Spirit Partnership which consists of Two Castles Housing Association, Tees Valley Housing Group, Erimus Housing, Housing Hartlepool and Coast & Country Housing. Phase 2 at West Rainton commenced on site at the beginning of December 2006 and will provide a further 10 flexible homes which can be easily converted from a two bedroomed bungalow into a three bedroomed home should the need ever arise. This is by the use of a roof cassette contruction. Commenting on the scheme, Julie Jacques, Head of Investment in the North East from The Housing Corporation said, I am delighted that the Housing Corporation has been able to work in partnership with Three Rivers Housing Association to enable the development of these new bungalows at West Rainton. Three Rivers have used an innovative construction method which has delivered high quality, environmentally friendly housing, and I am very pleased that we will also be supporting the second phase of the development. I hope that the people who live here will be very comfortable and happy in their new homes. Catriona Lingwood, Director of Constructing Excellence in the North-East, said: There was a real added excitement to this years Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment Awards, with the introduction of the new national awards and the chance for the winners to go on to another level. We have had some real success stories to shout about this year, and the turnout at the Newcastle Gosforth Marriott Hotel reflected that. All of the winners were worthy of the accolades they received, and those who were commended rightfully deserved their mentions. I hope the success of the awards will once again inspire a great response in future years. |
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