News stories from 2009.

Larkfleet Group raise £8,500 for The Willow Foundation 23rd December 2009

The Larkfleet Group has raised £8,500 for The Willow Foundation charity with an event hosted at Peterborough’s Holiday Inn West.

The Willow Foundation offers ‘special days’ for 16 to 40 year olds with terminal or life-threatening illnesses. The special days – which can be anything from a just a quiet holiday to experiences such as balloon flights and car racing – aim to help these young adults escape the pressures of their daily routine and share quality time with family or friends.

The substantial sum of £8,500 was raised by Larkfleet Group through the sale of tickets for the event, an auction of items, a tombola and a raffle with a wide range of prizes. Games of stand up bingo and casino tables also contributed to the total raised.

Throughout the evening, staff and guests were entertained by magician David Penn from the children’s television show The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper Bob Wilson and his wife Megs founded the Willow Foundation in 1999 in memory of their daughter Anna who died of cancer aged 31. The charity's name, Willow, stems from Anna's nickname and its aim is to replicate the positive impact special days had on both Anna and her family during her treatment.

The charity has a special significance for Larkfleet Group managing director Karl Hick and his wife Helen who organised the event. Helen’s sister Maureen died from cancer at the age of 24 and the couple now support the work of the Willow Foundation in providing help to young adults who are fighting similar illnesses.

Karl commented: “We have had tremendous support in putting this event together and people have been extremely generous. The £8,500 raised tonight will contribute to the fantastic work the Willow Foundation does for so many young adults. I would like to thank my wife Helen Hick and colleague Helen Jones for organising such a successful evening for such a worthy cause.”

Larkfleet Team applies pedal power in aid of The Willow Foundation 1st December 2009

To most people the idea of travelling from Lands End to John O’Groats by car would be daunting enough. But next June, a four-strong team of cyclists linked to Larkfleet Homes plan to pedal the 1,000 mile marathon in 10 days. The team aims to raise at least £10,000 for the Willow Foundation, a charity which organises special days for seriously ill 16-40 year olds. It was established in 1999 by Arsenal football legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs in memory of their daughter.

The idea to attempt Britain’s greatest long distance cycling challenge came to Tim Green as a result of a birthday gift from his friends: “Sarah, my wife, knew I wanted a new bike for my 30th birthday,” he says. “It was a total surprise when I discovered all my friends had clubbed together and bought me one.

“To acknowledge their very special gesture, I decided there and then that the Lands End to John O’Groats challenge was one I had to attempt.”

Tim knew he would need support in his endeavour and he soon got it, when his father Richard agreed to join him on the adventure. Larkfleet colleague Richard Edwards and Anna-Maria Shrubsall have also volunteered to join Tim in his effort.

“The Willow Foundation is a cause dear to all our hearts,” says Helen Hick, wife of Larkfleet founder and managing director Karl Hick. “What Tim and the team are doing is fantastic and we wish them every success.”

The fearless foursome start their epic journey on June 26th next year. Anyone wishing to support the Larkfleet team will be able to do so using the online donation site www.justgiving.com.

Larkfleet Group gains CHAS compliancy and over 50's Award 30th November 2009

Larkfleet Homes can celebrate a double success after becoming compliant with the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) and winning an Over 50's Housing Award.

CHAS is established as the market leader for health and safety pre-qualification in the UK. It is a non-commercial scheme available to contractors that enables them to meet public and private sector organisation’s health and safety standards.

After Larkfleet Homes applied for CHAS compliancy, assessors looked at its health and safety policy statement, health and safety guidelines and specific arrangements already in place.

Now Larkfleet Homes is CHAS approved, time and resources can be used more efficiently. Larkfleet Homes will also benefit from being part of a community of CHAS approved companies, working with other companies that meet the same high standards of health and safety approval.

FE Peacock, the construction arm of Larkfleet Group that combines traditional building skills with modern design and construction, has also been CHAS accredited. This demonstrates the high standards of health and safety in all areas of the company.

Larkfleet Homes has also won an Over 50s Housing Award as it was judged best in the ‘Most Outstanding Developer’ division in the UK this year.

The awards, sponsored by UK Over 50s Housing Weekly News, aim to give recognition to efforts to advance the profitability and surplus of all industry sectors and to those who lift and enhance customer experience and enjoyment through innovation.

Karl Hick, Larkfleet managing director, commented: “The CHAS compliancy and the Over 50s Award are great achievements for Larkfleet. They show we are constantly succeeding in all areas of the company, something that we are very proud of.”

Larkfleet also recently won the Environmental Achievement Award at the Evening Telegraph Business Awards for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Larkfleet Homes hands over rural affordable housing to local Housing Association 18th November 2009

Larkfleet Homes has handed over fifteen affordable homes in Colsterworth to Nottingham Community Housing Association (www.ncha.org.uk).

The new development, located at Apple Tree Close, in Colsterworth near Grantham, was officially opened by Councillor Paul Moat, director of technical services for South Kesteven Distrct Council.
The fifteen properties include six two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses and three two-bedroom bungalows that will provide good quality rural housing for local people who cannot afford to buy their own homes.

With more than 315,000 households currently registered on rural housing waiting lists, the availability of affordable housing in the countryside is a considerable issue for many local people.

Nottingham Community Housing Association and Larkfleet Homes developed the scheme at Colsterworth to meet the local need for affordable housing. The new homes will also help to secure the economic future of the village and nearby communities, helping to provide customers for local services and homes for children who will use local schools.

Larkfleet Homes built the development to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The high environmental building standards highlight Larkfleet Homes’ commitment to creating affordable, well-built and energy-efficient homes.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: “We are delighted to hand these properties to Nottingham Community Housing Association and help meet the need for affordable rural housing in this area. The homes are built to strict environmental standards which will, for example, reduce residents’ fuel bills because of the high levels of insulation.”
The development scheme was funded by a grant of nearly £1 million from the Homes & Communities Agency matched by funding from Nottingham Community Housing Association. NCHA will manage the properties which will house tenants from the waiting list of South Kesteven District Council.

Larkfleet Group scoops Second Place in prestigious Eco Award 16th November 2009

Larkfleet Group has been highly commended in a prestigious industry award in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development.

Larkfleet Group took second place in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category of Housebuilder magazine’s annual Housebuilding Innovation Awards.

Larkfleet Group was also nominated in the Sustainable Social Housing Contractor category of the Sustainable Housing Awards 2009, organised by Inside Housing magazine.

Over its six year history, Larkfleet Group through its subsidiaries Larkfleet Homes and FE Peacock has made environmentally friendly housing its focus.

To demonstrate to local authorities, architects and the local community how ‘green’ building technologies work, Larkfleet has built a demonstration house for view alongside its headquarters in Bourne. The timber-framed house shows how a three-bedroom home can be built to level 3 and level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The demonstration house is fitted with water-saving and energy-saving technologies including rainwater harvesting, an air source heat pump and solar panels.

Judges of the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category highly commended Larkfleet Group for its complete approach to sustainability that was described as being in a similar vein to winner of the category, Crest Nicolson. Judges also commented that it was good to see a regional housebuilder focusing on sustainability and getting its suppliers to support it.

Larkfleet’s headquarter offices are carbon neutral and it is working to cut energy use, recycle waste and promote environmentally friendly travel.

Last week the company took top position in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph Business Awards environmental achievement category. Larkfleet was competing with companies throughout the newspapers circulation area which includes the town of Bourne where Larkfleet is based.

Commenting on these latest successes for the company, Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: “We always aim to set the highest standards on sustainable housing and innovative building techniques, so we’re delighted that our efforts have been recognised with these high-profile award commendations.”

Larkfleet backs local money saving eco device 2nd November 2009

When Karl Hick, managing director of housebuilder Larkfleet Homes, met James Barker at a Peterborough networking event, he immediately recognised the potential of one of the man’s ideas.

James is a mechanical engineer with a passion for developing technologies that help reduce carbon emissions. He has come up with a device that allows water from the bath to be siphoned out of the house via a hose. It can then be used to water the garden, wash cars or clean patios and paths.

James believes his invention – called Drainsave – could have worldwide potential, given its simplicity and the fact it helps reduce water bills. The user receives a rebate for water not returned for treatment – a huge saving to the environment, as the cost of bringing used water back up to drinking standard is high.

“There are numerous systems currently available that re-use what is known as greywater,” he says, “but none of them is engineered to be as easy to install (you simply drill a hole in the bathroom wall) or – crucially – to give you a rebate on your water bill.”

And that’s the clever bit. On the way out of the house, the water passes through a meter, the reading for which can be deducted from the household water bill – because as well as charging for clean water used, water companies also charge for treating dirty water that goes down the drain.

“Many people don’t realise that the water companies charge at both ends,” says James Barker. “So it makes good financial as well as ecological sense to siphon bathwater out to the garden – a use for which it is perfectly safe.”

James has installed the prototype in his own two-occupant home and already reckons to be saving £50 a year on water bills.

Karl Hick was sufficiently impressed with Drainsave that he had it installed at Larkfleet’s Sustainability Demonstration House at the company’s Bourne head office.

“To my knowledge there’s nothing else like this currently available,” says Karl. “I knew it would be an appropriate addition to the sustainable technologies we have already installed at the demonstration house. And it’s great to be able to support local innovation in this way at grass roots level.

“We hope that having the device on show at the house will help James generate interest in his idea and maybe some orders from customers.”

Based at the Eco Innovation Centre (www.ecoinnovationcentre.co.uk) in City Road, Peterborough, James currently has a patent application pending on his invention. Once this is approved he hopes to go into production with business partner Simon Hunt who is sourcing the equipment needed to produce Drainsave on a commercial basis.

Larkfleet to show updated proposals for sustainable housig at Grantham North 29th October 2009

Updated proposals for a new development at Grantham North are to be exhibited in the Shepherd Room in the Methodist Church Hall, Finkin Street, Grantham on Friday 6 November from 2.00 pm until 7.00 pm.

In September Larkfleet Homes and HPC Homes held a public exhibition in the same venue to put forward plans for a development that could provide 1,300 new homes, including affordable housing for local people and retirement and care homes.

Using the feedback from that exhibition and from local people who contacted the developers through their website, on the telephone or by mail, the design team has made some changes to the plans and now wants to ask for the public’s views on the updated proposals.

In addition to housing, the plans still include the creation of parks and open spaces, education provision, shops, a community centre and medical facilities, as well as play areas for children. New bus routes and enhanced bus services could also be provided.

Larkfleet spokesman Paul Bywater said: “We were very grateful for the response we received to the first exhibition. We have tried to tackle as many of the issues that were raised with us as possible in producing these updated proposals.

“We remain committed to the idea of a sustainable local community. Grantham North will be a low carbon development using energy-saving construction techniques and renewable energy technology.

“The proposed development is in line with South Kesteven District Council’s core strategy, which suggests that any new development should mainly be focused on Grantham and requires the provision of around 7,000 new homes. To achieve this level of growth within Grantham it will be necessary both to use previously developed land and to identify new greenfield sites.

“The land at Grantham North has previously been identified by the council as a location that is capable of contributing towards the planned growth of the town.”

Larkfleet Homes and HPC Homes are established regional developers with a track record of delivering new homes and commercial buildings within the East Midlands.

Paul Bywater added: “Once again, we would welcome comments and suggestions on the proposed development at this second public exhibition on 6 November. These will help us to shape our final plans that will be submitted to the council with a request for planning permission.

“If people are not able to attend the exhibition, there will again be information on our website and we will welcome comments by email, post or telephone.

“There will then be a further opportunity for people to let us have their views during the consultation on our planning application.”

An updated information leaflet will be available from 6 November on the company’s website at: www.larkfleethomes.co.uk .

Or write to Paul Bywater at: Larkfleet Homes, Larkfleet House, Falcon Way, Bourne, Lincs PE10 0FF

Telephone 01778 391550 Email: granthamnorth@larkfleethomes.co.uk

Larkfleet proposes new sustainable housing at Grantham North 8th October 2009

Larkfleet Homes and HPC Homes held a public exhibition at Shepherd Room in the Methodist Church, Finkin Street, Grantham on Friday 18th September announcing a new development at Grantham North.

Subject to planning approvals, the development will provide 1,300 new homes, including affordable homes for local people and retirement and care homes.

Plans also include the creation of parks and open spaces, education provision, shops, a community centre and medical facilities, as well as play areas for children. New bus routes and enhanced bus services could also be provided.

The mission of Larkfleet and HPC is to support the development of a sustainable local community. Grantham North will be a low carbon development using energy saving construction techniques and renewable energy technology.

The proposed development is in line with South Kesteven District Council’s core strategy, which suggests that any new development should mainly be focused on Grantham and requires the provision of around 7,000 new homes.

To achieve this level of growth within Grantham it will be necessary both to use previously developed land and to identify new greenfield sites. The land at Grantham North has previously been identified by the council as a location that is capable of contributing towards the planned growth of the town.

Larkfleet Homes and its partner HPC Homes are established regional developers with a track record of delivering new homes and commercial buildings within the East Midlands. They are committed to building safe, inclusive and sustainable developments that integrate into existing communities.

Larkfleet spokesman Paul Bywater said: “We would welcome comments and suggestions on the proposed development at the public exhibition on 18 September. Obviously we want to consider any comments that people may have before finalising the development proposals for submission as a formal planning application.”

A brief information leaflet is available on the company’s website at: www.larkfleethomes.co.uk.

Or write to Paul Bywater at:
Larkfleet Homes
Larkfleet House
Falcon Way
Bourne
Lincolnshire PE10 0FF

Telephone 01778 391550

Email: granthamnorth@larkfleethomes.co.uk
Website: www.larkfleethomes.co.uk

Larkfleet Homes hosts Time Capsule Event for Eye schoolchildren 1st October 2009

Pupils from a Peterborough school have buried a time capsule at a Larkfleet Homes development in Eye, giving future generations a chance to learn about life in 2009.

The schoolchildren from Eye Primary School helped bury the time capsule at The Meadows, a Larkfleet Homes development located off the High Street in Eye. Within the development, Larkfleet Homes is building 31 affordable properties for housing association Cross Keys Homes, with four of these being part of shared ownership schemes.

Inside the time capsule was a folder containing a selection of letters, photographs of the village and drawings by the children, six of whom were present at the time capsule event.

The idea for the time capsule actually came from a health and safety talk by Larkfleet Homes to schoolchildren about the dangers of playing on building sites.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: “Larkfleet Homes presented a health and safety talk at the school about the risks associated with building sites. A time capsule was mentioned as a way for the children to be part of a historical documentation for future Eye residents of what life is like here today.”

The children, who were provided with hard hats and high visibility coats, looked the part as they took turns covering the time capsule with earth.

Nathanael Robinson, acting headmaster at Eye Primary School, commented: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for the children to put together a selection of their thoughts and experiences and to document what Eye life is like in 2009. The location of the time capsule at The Meadows development site will also serve as a reminder about the dangers of playing in such areas.”

Cross Keys Homes’ tenant board member, Ted Murray, said: “I was delighted to be a part of this memorable event and look forward to the completion of this exciting housing project which will provide much needed affordable homes in Eye.”

Larkfleet Homes has a reputation for building quality homes and apartments in prime locations throughout the Eastern region.

The Meadows development in Eye offers everything from two bedroom starter homes to three, four and five bedroom family homes and is only a short walk away from Eye’s own nature reserve at Eye Green.

Larkfleet starts work on Oakham afordable housing 22nd September 2009

Larkfleet Homes has started work on building 17 ‘affordable’ homes at Barleythorpe, near Oakham – including two homes specially designed for people with disabilities.

The development consists of a range of two, three and four bedroom houses and two bedroom apartments. All are being built for Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) (www.ncha.org.uk) and will be available for low-cost renting or for “Rent to Homebuy”, whereby people can rent their homes for up to five years before converting to a part-purchase-giving an opportunity for people who would otherwise not be able to afford to buy a home to get onto the property ladder.

The two homes designed for people with disabilities include features such as wide doors to give wheelchair access, low level light switches, special bathrooms, integrated accommodation for carers and parking close to the units with space for vehicles that are adapted for wheelchair users. The units have been designed for ease of conversion to general-needs housing at a later date if required.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: “We are delighted to be working with NCHA and Rutland County Council to provide more affordable housing in Oakham.”

Hawksmead is the company behind plans for Oakham North, a new development which could provide up to 300 affordable homes as part of a 1,000 home expansion of the town. It would also include new shopping facilities, offices, parks and open spaces, children’s play areas and a new local centre on land between the existing town and the new bypass.

Catherine Hewitt of NCHA said: “The 17 new homes at Barleythorpe will be a welcome addition to the housing stock in Oakham, allowing local people who are otherwise being priced out of the town to find a home there.”

Some of the funding for the new homes has come from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency and additional money for the specialist housing has come from Rutland County Council.

Roger Begy, Leader and Housing Portfolio Holder for Rutland County Council, added: “Increasing the supply of affordable housing in Rutland and helping people with specialist housing needs to live independently in the community are two of our key objectives. We are delighted that NCHA and Larkfleet have agreed to work with us to provide these new homes in Barleythorpe.”

Larkfleet backs local girl's soccer dream 15th September 2009

Thomas Deacon Academy pupil Scarlett Field will see her dream of playing for the Arsenal Ladies team come true – with a little help from a sponsorship package set up by the Larkfleet Group.

Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick – a former athlete and lifelong England supporter himself – was so impressed with 14-year old Scarlett’s passion for her sport and natural ability to read the game that he has offered to sponsor her for this season.

Scarlett first impressed Arsenal scouts during her time at Cambridge United in the Eastern Region Girls League and subsequently at Peterborough Diamonds. She began playing football in an outfield role but eventually switched to goalkeeping, the position she now plays.

"I used to be pretty good as an outfield player,” she said. “Even last season at Cambridge I scored a few important goals, but ever since I was about ten I have basically always been a goalie. I love it.

"Hopefully Arsenal can now take me on to the next level so I can realise my ambition of one day playing for England."

Commenting on Scarlett’s meteoric rise through the junior game, Karl Hick said: “Scarlett is an inspiration to all youngsters both locally and nationwide. She’s making a name for herself doing something she loves, while at the same time learning about the importance of teamwork and commitment to hard work – values we share at Larkfleet.

“I’m delighted that our sponsorship deal will help her take the next step in what I’m sure will be a very successful career for her.”

Larkfleet aims to build better homes with University Research 4th September 2009

Larkfleet is working with a number of East Midlands universities to help the building industry produce high quality, sustainable homes which will have a lower ‘carbon footprint’ than current housing.

The SHINE (Sustainable Housing Innovation Network of Excellence) project comprises an integrated design modelling, monitoring and evaluation programme. It involves cooperation between Larkfleet, housing associations and higher education organisations including Nottingham, Loughborough and Northampton universities and the Building Research Establishment.

The programme aims to help builders produce homes which have low energy use in ‘real life’ as opposed to simply being designed to be capable of low energy use.

A number of Larkfleet-built homes are to be fitted with sophisticated equipment which will measure how people actually live in and use their homes, to see where and how energy and water are used and to assess other environmental impacts. The results will be monitored and analysed by researchers at the universities.

Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: “Larkfleet is a leader in designing and building sustainable homes but many of the design codes we work to – such as the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes – are based on assumptions about the way people live. We want to see what actually happens in a house and how that affects its real impact on the environment.

“We hope the knowledge we gain will help us to produce buildings that are actually, not just theoretically, low carbon homes.”

The research will help Larkfleet to build homes that have substantially lower energy and water bills for their owners or tenants. Better design and construction as well as better controls – for example, on heating systems – will help occupiers to cut their energy use. The SHINE project will also help researchers to evaluate the potential of new energy-saving and generating technologies, such as solar power, and assess the contribution that these can make to sustainability in homes occupied by ‘real’ families.

The project is an extension of Larkfleet’s ongoing work in development of more environmentally-friendly housing.

Earlier this year the company opened a ‘sustainability demonstration house’ alongside its head office in Bourne. The timber-framed three-bedroom house will remain only part-built so that it demonstrates how a home can be constructed to meet the requirements of Level 3 and Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Key parts of the structure have been left unfinished to show how it is possible to combine different building techniques and technologies to meet demanding environmental standards without excessive cost.

Parts of the internal walls, some of the floors and ceilings and other parts of the building have been omitted so that visitors can see how a timber frame house is put together and the way insulation is installed. The house is also fitted with water-saving and energy-saving technologies such as rain water harvesting, an air source heat pump and solar panels.

Larkfleet is using the part-built home as a working demonstration unit for housing association managers, architects, local authority personnel and other professionals to see how the latest building and energy technologies can be combined to provide low-energy housing.

Karl Hick said: “House builders and developers are being set increasingly tough challenges to meet new environmental standards. The SHINE project will help us to see how we can most effectively rise to these challenges.”

Larkfleet shortlisted for two major Eco Awards 31st July 2009

Larkfleet has been shortlisted for two prestigious industry awards in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development.

The group has been nominated in the Sustainable Social Housing Contractor category of the Sustainable Housing Awards 2009, organised by Inside Housing magazine. Trophies will be presented at a suitably eco-themed awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Friday 23rd October.

Larkfleet has also been nominated in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category of Housebuilder magazine’s annual Housebuilding Innovation Awards. The presentation takes place on Thursday 5th November at the Millennium Mayfair in London.

Larkfleet recently won the East Midlands LABC Building Excellence Award for Best Social or Affordable Housing Development for a development at The Drift, Harlaxton, near Grantham, which was built in partnership with Muir Group Housing Association.

Commenting on these latest successes for the company, Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: “We always aim to set the highest standards on sustainable housing and innovative building techniques, so we’re delighted that our efforts have been recognised with these two high-profile award nominations.”

The company’s commitment to sustainable development is beyond question. Its headquarters are carbon neutral and it is working to cut energy use, recycle waste and encourage environmentally-friendly travel.

To demonstrate to local authorities, architects and the local community how ‘green’ building technologies work, Larkfleet has recently built a demonstration ‘eco house’ alongside its headquarters. The timber-framed building shows how a three-bedroom house can be built to Level 3 and Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The house is fitted with water-saving and energy-saving technologies including rainwater harvesting, an air source heat pump and solar panels.

Developer asks views on 500 House Plan for Whittlesey 21st July 2009

Larkfleet Homes is seeking the public’s views on proposals for a new community at Bassenhally Farm between Eastrea Road and Drybread Road in Whittlesey.

The proposed development will include around 500 houses, new shops, public open space, playing fields and other amenities. There will also be a 70-bed nursing home, a 50-bed ‘extra care hub’ and 15 close care bungalows.

The developers are holding a public exhibition of the proposed plans from 2:00pm to 7:00pm on Tuesday 28th July at the Whittlesey Ivy Leaf Club in Gracious Street, Whittlesey. Members of the development team will be at the exhibition to explain what is proposed and to hear the views of local people.

Planning director Richard Edwards said: “We are keen to get the opinion of Whittlesey residents on this expansion of the town. It will be the largest single development in Whittlesey for many years and we want to make sure we get it right. “We will consider all the comments made at the exhibition and the comments that we receive from the public generally. Only then will we prepare final plans that will be submitted to the council for planning permission.”

An outline of the proposals is contained in a newsletter produced by the company which will be available at the exhibition. People who are not able to attend the exhibition can obtain a copy of the newsletter by calling Richard Edwards on 01778 391550 or emailing richard.edwards@larkfleethomes.co.uk

Larkfleet commits to new apprentices from local communities 14th July 2009

The Larkfleet Group is continuing to invest in the next generation of skilled young craftspeople with the announcement that it is to take on six apprentices this year.

By making this major commitment at a time when every business is struggling under the impact of the economic downturn, the Bourne-based developer is sending a clear signal that the way forward is to invest in training and development.

“We recruit for our apprentice scheme every year, so we’ve already seen the benefits of it first hand,” confirms Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick. “That’s why despite the current difficult economic conditions we are still very much committed to supporting this initiative.”

Larkfleet will employ six apprentices in total: two carpenters, two bricklayers, one plumber and one electrician. To help support local communities, Larkfleet is keen to receive applications from tenants of its housing association partners.

“Keeping it local is very much part of the plan,” says Karl. “We at Larkfleet are proud to be one of the companies doing something really positive within our own community. We need to make sure we have the skilled people necessary to take our business forward and the apprenticeship scheme continues to be a great way to strengthen our workforce and add value to the business.

“We have written to all our housing association partners offering them the chance to put forward young people from their tenant families.”

Larkfleet's Award for Building excellence 13th July 2009

Larkfleet Homes has won the East Midlands LABC Building Excellence Award for Best Social or Affordable Housing Development for a development at The Drift, Harlaxton, near Grantham, which was built in partnership with Muir Group Housing Association.

The award was presented at a ceremony in the Village Hotel, Nottingham, in recognition of the high standards of design, construction and workmanship achieved by Larkfleet and Muir Group on the project.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Group, commented: “We are delighted to receive this award, which recognises and celebrates the role of high quality design and construction in maintaining village communities such as Harlaxton.”

The development comprises a range of two and three bedroom houses and bungalows which have been reserved exclusively for local people with a direct connection to the village.

Larkfleet Homes - which is based in Bourne, near Peterborough - designed and built the 29 award winning homes at Harlaxton for Muir Group Housing Association, partially funded by the Homes and Community Agency.

Some of the homes have been made available for low-cost renting, Others are offered for ‘shared ownership’, allowing a family to buy part of the home and rent the rest from the housing association, thus giving them an affordable point of entry into the housing market.

Judges singled out the homes’ highly energy efficient design for particular praise. Each dwelling is fitted with air source heat pumps, which operate like a refrigerator in reverse, taking heat from the surrounding air to warm the home. The system provides low cost and environmentally-friendly heating and hot water even on cold winter days. The homes are also built with high standards of insulation and other features to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’.

David Robinson, development director at Muir Group Housing Association, said: “Muir Group is delighted to be working in partnership with Larkfleet to develop homes that meet the highest environmental standards, and we are delighted to win this award, which is well deserved.”

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