The Scottish Home Awards, sponsored by Ross & Liddell, welcomed over 600 guests in Glasgow last week to celebrate the achievements of the housing industry. The 16th annual awards crowned 21 housebuilding companies showing excellence in construction, sustainability, marketing and customer care.

Judges commented that Link Group was a leading example of how large-scale social housing should perform. Link also collected the award for ‘Housing Regeneration Project of the Year’ as its long-term regeneration of Ravenscraig with McTaggart Construction was recognised. It also collected ‘Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year’ for its Bunston Grove development in Greenock, Inverclyde.

Link chief executive Jon Turner said: “I am absolutely delighted Link won three awards at the prestigious Scottish Home Awards. This success is a recognition of the hard work, and innovation Link has carried out over the last 12 months.

“Whilst it is satisfying to be acknowledged by the industry as one of the leading housing associations in Scotland, we will not be complacent in our aim of creating sustainable communities and building contemporary housing which offers everyone a fantastic place to live.”

Link Group commercial director Colin Culross said: “I’m delighted Bunston Grove has been recognised nationally through winning Housing Regeneration Project of the Year and Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year. As well as offering modern design and an emphasis on place-making, the development also provides much-needed affordable housing for people in Greenock and the surrounding area, transforming lives and enhancing a sense of community in the process.

“We are grateful for the support shown by our partners and all those connected to this very special project. The fact that Bunston Grove has been recognised nationally is a testament to all those who have worked so hard in making it a success.”

Robertson Homes won the most prestigious award of the night, Scottish House Builder of the Year (More than 100 units), as it showed a strong focus on corporate social responsibilities and in the introduction of numerous low carbon initiatives.

S1 Developments won Housebuilder of the Year (Less than 100 units) and was praised by the judges for premier developments at achieving attainable prices whilst caring for customers and retaining staff. S1 Developments also won ‘House of the Year’ for its The Ropeworks development in Leith.

Artisan Real Estate took home this year’s new award for ‘Excellence in Sustainability’ sponsored by Scottish Water, whilst At Home in Edinburgh continued its success as they won ‘Residential Letting Team of the Year’ sponsored by Citylets and for the second year in a row.

The category acknowledges the importance of the Scottish private rental property sector. In announcing the award winner, judges praised At Home In Edinburgh’s clear and concise strategy which underpinned great results, and the excellent relationships they form and maintain with both tenants and landlords.

The team of four operate from their Marchmont office, led by husband-and-wife team Rick and Vicky McCann. With extensive Edinburgh lettings experience, they spotted a gap in the city’s private rental market for an approachable agency focused on providing a personal service. Since opening their doors in 2011 the business has gone from strength to strength with an ever-increasing client base, with most new landlords coming to them via word-of-mouth recommendations.

At Home In Edinburgh’s director, Rick McCann, said: “We are incredibly proud to be named Residential Letting Team of the Year at the Scottish Home Awards – for the second year in a row! It’s a huge achievement for our small team, and we’re delighted to receive such recognition in this competitive industry.

“The rental property market has experienced considerable challenges over the last few years, driving us to find ways to innovate to support our clients and to keep tenants in their homes. At the same time, we were able to recognise and seize market opportunities, ensuring our continued growth.

“We’d like to thank Citylets for their continued sponsorship of the award and extend congratulations to the other finalists.”

Director Vicky McCann added: “It’s a fantastic feeling to know that the way we choose to do business means that we can rival some of the bigger names in the Scottish private rental market, and we are very proud of all that we have achieved. We don’t aim to be Edinburgh’s biggest letting agency, but instead, the friendliest and most efficient – loved by landlords and trusted by tenants. Winning this award for the second year running really reinforces our reputation within the competitive private rental sector.”

In Aberdeen the award for ‘Starter Home of the Year’ went to Bancon Homes for The Carden at The Aspire Residence in Aberdeen and ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ went to Campion Homes, its second award win in a matter of weeks.

Joint managing director Susan Jackson and sales & marketing manager Sharifa Joy accepted the award at the ceremony.

They said: “Providing quality service is one of the most important things that can set a business apart from others of its kind, therefore this sits high on Campion Homes priority list. Our customers, be this our Housing Association/Local Authority partners or a private purchaser, are the lifeline of our business and we are passionate about ensuring they are well looked after throughout their journey with Campion Homes and beyond.

“We are absolutely thrilled to win the Excellence in Customer Service award. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do and this is great recognition and testimony to the dedication of our team and the work we do.”

In addition to winning The Starter Home of the Year category, Bancon Homes was also a finalist in the following categories:

• Apartment Development of the Year (Private Sale) - The Aspire Residence, Aberdeen
• House of the Year - The Raeburn at The Reserve at Eden, Aberdeen
• Housing Development of the Year (Large Private Sale) - Lochside of Leys, Banchory
• Housebuilder of the Year (more than 100 units) – Bancon Homes

Commenting on winning The Starter Home of the Year Award, Bancon Homes managing director Allan Clow said: “Winning our first award at The Scottish Home Awards is very special for the team. The Carden is a beautiful apartment which not only offers homebuyers a stunning contemporary home but a range of sustainable features in an unparalleled location.”

The highly respected judging panel assessed 140 entries in 19 categories received from organisations from across Scotland.

Colin Cumberland, chair of the Scottish Home Awards judging panel, and head of residential at Ediston Real Estate, said: “The standard of the submissions and the effort put forward by the organisations to win these prestigious awards has been impressive this year. On behalf of the judging panel, we would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners that took part, and we look forward to seeing more forward-thinking developments that highlight their sustainable credentials together with exceptional services for clients and tenants.”

Andrew Cunningham, managing director of Ross & Liddell, added: “Ross + Liddell are delighted to support the Scottish Home Awards which grants a fundamental link between the housebuilding developments and the buyer searching for high quality buildings from reputable businesses in Scotland. Time and time again we see high standards of work going into the housing sector and is shown in the entries submitted, as a judge on the panel I eager to see what the upcoming year will bring because we consistently witness great standards of work being put into the housing industry.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone who won at the 16th annual Scottish Home Awards and wish them the best of luck!”

The awards support the charity It’s Good 2 Give and its management of The Ripple Retreat a luxury residential retreat on the shores of Loch Venacher in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The award winning designer home is gifted to young cancer patients and their families for short stay holidays throughout the year.

The Winners in Full:

Starter Home of the Year, Sponsored by Ross & Liddell

WINNER: The Carden at The Aspire Residence, Aberdeen - Bancon Homes

FINALISTS:

• Pollokshaws Living, Southside of Glasgow - Urban Union

Community Contribution Award

WINNER: Wheatley Foundation

FINALISTS:

• Barratt Homes & David Wilson Homes West Scotland
• Maryhill Housing Association
• Robertson Homes
• Urban Union
• Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association

Excellence in Sustainability, Sponsored by Scottish Water

WINNER: Artisan Real Estate

FINALISTS:

• Carmichael Homes
• Maryhill Housing
• S1 Developments
• Scotia Homes

Residential Letting Team of the Year, Sponsored by Citylets

WINNER: At Home In Edinburgh

WINNER: Stonehouse Lettings

FINALISTS:

• Albany Lettings
• Cairn Estate and Letting Agency
• Clan Gordon
• Watt Property

Excellence in Customer Service

WINNER: Campion Homes

FINALISTS:

• Barratt Homes & David Wilson Homes West Scotland
• Clan Gordon

Innovation in Design

WINNER: Simon Square, Edinburgh - Fraser/Livingstone Architects

FINALISTS:

• 107 Niddrie Road, Strathbungo, Glasgow - Southside Housing Association / CCG (Scotland) / John Gilbert Architects
• Cammo Meadows, Edinburgh - CALA Homes (East)
• Highwood, Croy Village - Scotia Homes
• Juniper Views, Juniper Green, Edinburgh - Gallo & Gallo Developments / Studio LBA
• Meadowfield Terrace, Edinburgh - Stone Acre / Studio LBA

Apartment Development of the Year, Sponsored by Porcelanosa UK

WINNER: Park Quadrant Residences, West End of Glasgow - Ambassador Living

FINALISTS:

• 22 King’s Gate, Aberdeen - CALA Homes (North)
• Abercromby Place, Edinburgh- Square & Crescent / Studio LBA
• Rowanbank Gardens, Corstorphine, Edinburgh - Artisan Real Estate
• The Aspire Residence, Aberdeen - Bancon Homes
• The New Steiner, Yorkhill, Glasgow - Steiner Property / Grant Murray Architects
• Torwood, Corstorphine, Edinburgh - AMA Developments / Oberlanders Architects
• Water of Leith Apartments, Edinburgh - Carmichael Homes
• Waverley Square, Old Town, Edinburgh - Queensberry Properties

Renovation of the Year

WINNER: 107 Niddrie Road, Strathbungo, Glasgow - Southside Housing Association / CCG (Scotland) / John Gilbert Architects

WINNER: The David Stow Building, Glasgow - CALA Homes (West)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Poynder Apartments, Kelso - Eildon Housing Association

FINALISTS:

• Asknish House, Lochgair, Argyll - Simpson & Brown
• Dun Eaglais House, Kippen, Stirling - Lyall Building Solutions
• Edinburgh Townhouse, West End of Edinburgh - Dragon Developments
• Merchant House, Inverness - Highland Housing Alliance (HHA)
• Ronachan House, Kintyre, Peninsula - Coltart Earley Architecture
• Seafield House, Ayr - Econstruct Group
• The New Steiner, Yorkhill, Glasgow - Steiner Property / Grant Murray Architects
• The Stables, Lincluden Estate - Wheatley Homes South
• Torwood House, the Stable Block and the Gatehouse Lodge, West Murrayfield, Edinburgh - AMA Homes and Oberlanders Architects

Housing Regeneration Project of the Year, Sponsored by Bank of Scotland

WINNER: Ravenscraig, Greenock, Inverclyde - Link Group / McTaggart Construction

FINALISTS:

• Abbeycraig, Easterhouse, Glasgow - Lochfield Park Housing Association / McTaggart Construction / Grant Murray Architects
• Allison Street, Govanhill - AS Homes (Scotland)
• Cromdale Square, Drumoyne, Govan, Glasgow - Linthouse Housing Association / CCG (Scotland) / Grant Murray Architects
• Cumbernauld Multis Regeneration, Cumbernauld, Glasgow - Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association
• Donside Urban Village, Donside, Aberdeen - Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association
• Ellengowan Drive, Dundee - Campion Homes
• Merchant House, Inverness - Highland Housing Alliance (HHA)
• North Gate, Crown Street, Glasgow - New Gorbals Housing Association / CCG (Scotland) / Page/Park
• Princes’ Quay, Glasgow - CALA Homes (West)
• Queens Quay, Clydebank - MAST Architects on behalf of Loretto HA, part of Wheatley Group, in partnership with Clydebank HA and West Dunbartonshire Council

Age Exclusive Development of the Year

WINNER: Witch Road, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire - East Ayrshire Council / CCG (Scotland) / MAST Architects

FINALISTS:

• Hallrule Drive, Cardonald, Glasgow - Wheatley Group / McTaggart Construction
• Muirwood Gardens, Kinross - Juniper Residential
• Poynder Apartments, Kelso - Eildon Housing Association

Housing Development of the Year (Small, Private Sale), Sponsored by BTO Solicitors

WINNER: Meadowfield Terrace, Edinburgh - Stone Acre / Studio LBA

FINALISTS:

• Chapelton Development, Aberdeenshire - Snowdrop Developments
• Juniper Views, Edinburgh - Gallo & Gallo Developments / Studio LBA
• Newhailes Court Gardens, Newcraighall - PANACEA Homes
• Southfield Grange, Newton Mearns - Robertson Homes
• The Jewel, Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh - Living by Robertson
• Torwood House, Corstorphine, Edinburgh - AMA Developments / Oberlanders Architects

Housing Development of the Year (Large, Private Sale), Sponsored by NHBC

WINNER: Highwood, Croy Village - Scotia Homes

FINALISTS:

• Ashberry Homes, Calderwood - Ashberry Homes
• Ballumbie Rise, Kingsway East, Ballumbie - Stewart Milne Homes
• Cammo Meadows, Edinburgh - CALA Homes (East)
• Carnegie View, Wellwood, Dunfermline - Bellway Homes (Scotland East)
• Cherry Tree Park, Livingston, Edinburgh - Living by Robertson
• Dargavel Village, Bishopton - Stewart Milne Homes
• Devongrange, Sauchie - Ediston Homes
• Hamilton Heights, South Lanarkshire, Hamilton - Robertson Homes
• Lochside of Leys, Banchory, Aberdeen - Bancon Homes
• Longniddry Village, Longniddry, East Lothian - Places for People / Cruden Homes
• The Scholars, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire - Barratt Homes (West Scotland)

Show Home of the Year

WINNER: The Mallaig, Cammo Meadows, Edinburgh - CALA Homes (East)

FINALISTS:

• Oleander Show Home, Oak Bank, Glenrothes - Campion Homes
• The Almond, Livingston, West Lothian - Bellway Homes (Scotland East)
• The Balloch, Earls Rise, Cumbernauld, Glasgow - Barratt Homes (West Scotland)
• The Falkland, Holytown, Motherwell - David Wilson Homes West Scotland
• The Lisbon, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire - Living by Robertson
• The Macallan, Chapelton, Aberdeenshire - Snowdrop Developments
• The Mitchell Garden Room, Hamilton Heights, Hamilton - Robertson Homes
• The Sherwood, Ashlar Village, Glasgow - Bellway Homes (Scotland West)
• The Stratford, Shawfair, Midlothian, Edinburgh - Stewart Milne Homes
• The Washington, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire - Living by Robertson
• Viewforth, Kirkcaldy, Fife - Whiteburn Projects

House of the Year, Sponsored by AC Land Regeneration

WINNER: The Ropeworks, Leith - S1 Developments

FINALISTS:

• Jacobson Garden Room - Newton Manor, Dunbar - Robertson Homes
• The Azalea, Oak Bank, Glenrothes - Campion Homes
• The Balloch, Earls Rise, Glasgow - Barratt Homes West Scotland
• The Gilbert, Sauchie, Ochil Hills - Ediston Homes
• The Jura, St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire - Snowdrop Developments
• The Moray, West End of Glasgow - Bellway Homes (Scotland West)
• The Raeburn, The Reserve at Eden, Aberdeen - Bancon Homes
• The Washington, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire - Living by Robertson

Small Affordable Housing Development of the Year

WINNER: Conic Way / Montrose Way, Stirling - Hanover Scotland

FINALISTS:

• Abbeycraig, Glasgow - Lochfield Park Housing Association / McTaggart Construction / Grant Murray Architects
• Abercromby Street, Glasgow - MAST Architects on behalf of Thenue Housing Association
• Auchengreoch Circle, Johnstone - Renfrewshire Council / McTaggart Construction
• Cromdale Square, Drumoyne, Glasgow - Linthouse Housing Association / CCG (Scotland) / Grant Murray Architects
• Glenbarr Street, Roystonhill, Glasgow - Spire View Housing Association / Grant Murray Architects
• North Gate, Crown Street, Glasgow - New Gorbals Housing Association / CCG (Scotland) / Page\Park
• Witch Road, East Ayrshire - East Ayrshire Council / CCG (Scotland) / MAST Architects

Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year

WINNER: Bunston Grove, Greenock, Inverclyde - The Link Group

FINALISTS:

• Donside Urban Village, River Don, Aberdeen - Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association
• Hawick Street, Glasgow - Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association
• Laurieston Living, Gorbals, Glasgow - Urban Union
• Queens Quay, Clydebank - MAST Architects on behalf of Loretto HA, part of Wheatley Group, in partnership with Clydebank HA and West Dunbartonshire Council

Housing Association of the Year, Sponsored by Share

WINNER: The Link Group

FINALISTS:

• Sanctuary Scotland
• Southside Housing Association

Housebuilder of the Year (Less than 100 units), Sponsored by Hyperoptic

WINNER: S1 Developments

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Snowdrop Developments

FINALISTS:

• Carmichael Homes
• Living by Robertson

Housebuilder of the Year (More than 100 units), Sponsored by Open Reach

WINNER: Robertson Homes

FINALISTS:

• Bancon Homes
• Barratt Homes & David Wilson Homes West Scotland
• Bellway Homes (Scotland East & West)