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Larkfleet wins prestigious award in the run up to the 'Property Olympics'

Bourne-based Larkfleet Homes has won the Daily Mail UK Property Award for Best Development in Lincolnshire for its Friar Mews development in Lincoln. The award will be presented at a glittering gala dinner to be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 31 October.

Having been given this high recommendation Larkfleet is now entitled to display the Daily Mail UK Property Awards' logo. Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: "This symbol of excellence will be recognised and appreciated by the public who are becoming increasingly well informed and discerning about the properties they seek to buy."

The Friars Mews development is made up of 40 two and three bedroom apartments in the heart of Lincoln. Entries were judged by a panel of independent professionals, chaired by Eric Pickles MP, British Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

All in all, there are 21 different categories and up to two of the most outstanding entries in each category are given a four-star award, while the best overall entry will be given a five-star award. But the success story doesn’t end there - every five-star winner’s entry will then be re-examined to determine who is to go forward for the ultimate World’s Best Award. These outstanding international accolades will be announced at a grand presentation dinner in America on 10 November.

Karl Hick said: "We are thrilled to win this award which emphasises the hard work put in by all that worked on this project."

Larkfleet signs the skills pledge

Bourne (near Peterborough) based house builder Larkfleet Homes has signed the Skills Pledge to encourage its staff to become qualified in the area that they are working.

The Skills Pledge is a Learning and Skills Council (LSC) initiative which encourages businesses to make a public commitment to skills development for their staff.

As part of the scheme Larkfleet Homes has committed to support all of its employees to develop their basic numeracy and literacy skills and encourage employees to work towards a full Level two qualification (equivalent to five good GCSEs).

Larkfleet Homes currently has three members of its head office staff working towards various qualifications. Jess Clewlow, trainee quantity surveyor, and Laura Sibthorpe, assistant buyer, are both working towards the National Certificate for Construction and Darren Broom is working towards the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Diploma.

The company also employs five apprentices who are working towards their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level Two in either bricklaying or carpentry.

Larkfleet Homes' managing director Karl Hick said: "Having well trained and competent staff is vital for a productive and successful business. The Skills Pledge is an opportunity for us to publicly demonstrate the importance we place on the skills of our workforce."

Larkfleet to build demonstration sustainable home

The Larkfleet Group (www.larkfleetgroup.co.uk) has applied for planning permission to build just part of a house on land adjacent to its headquarters in Bourne, Lincolnshire, near Peterborough.

The timber-framed building will be a three-bedroom house built to the requirements of Level 3 and Level 4 of the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes. Key parts of the structure will be 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 will be omitted so that visitors can see how a timber frame house is put together and the way insulation is installed. The house will also be fitted with water-saving and energy-saving technologies such as rain water harvesting ground, source heat pumps and solar panels.

Government regulations mean that all new houses being built for local councils and housing associations must now meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes – standards which make the homes cheaper to run and reduce their impact on the environment.

Larkfleet intends to use the part-built home as a working demonstration unit to which it will invite housing association operatives, architects, local authority personnel and other professionals.

Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: "Housing associations and developers are being set increasingly tough challenges to meet new environmental standards. They will soon have to build to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes but many have not yet even built homes to Level 3.

"We aim to use this unique building to show them how they can meet these present and future challenges."

Two companies in the Larkfleet Group will have a major role in building the demonstration house – building contractor FE Peacock will have overall responsibility for construction and the timber frames will be supplied by Kestrel Timber Frames. Construction materials, including timber from sustainable sources, will be supplied by associated company Deepings Trading Company.

FE Peacock specialises in building homes for housing associations and Kestrel Timber Frames has recently been set up by Larkfleet Group specifically to produce timber house frames. Building with timber frames is key to economically meeting the demands of the Code for Sustainable Homes – Larkfleet believes it is impossible to meet even Level 3 requirements at an economical price with traditional building methods and materials.

If planning permission is granted by South Kesteven District Council the demonstration house could be ready for use later this year.

Karl Hick added: "Another advantage of timber frame houses is the speed with which they can be built. We shall spend more time in planning the demonstration house than in building it – once we start on site it can be finished in a matter of days."

Materials and labour for the project are being supplied free of charge from many local companies including C & G Mortar and Chris Morse Brickwork. Larkfleet Group would like to thank them and any other organisations for their help in this project.

Larkfleet boss appeals to Prime Minister - 04/08/2008

The managing director of one of the region's most successful building companies has written to Prime Minster Gordon Brown appealing for action to prevent a complete halt to house building in this area.

Karl Hick, head of Bourne (near Peterborough) based Larkfleet Group which includes housing developer Larkfleet Homes, building contractor F E Peacock and timber frame specialist Kestrel Timber Frame, says it is not just the 'credit crunch' and a slowing economy which are responsible for the present crisis in the house building industry.

In his letter he points to a rise in taxes and regulations which are making it impossible to build homes economically.

Specific problems which he draws attention to include:

• For every home that they build, developers have to make payments to local authorities to finance roads, schools and other facilities.
• As part of the government's plan to cut carbon emissions, new homes have to be built to increasingly tough standards – standards which are adding thousands of pounds to the cost of homes and which will add more cost in future as new and even higher standards are introduced.
• As part of most housing developments the developer or landowner has to provide 30 per cent or more of the homes as ‘affordable housing’ – homes which are normally passed to housing associations which rent or sell them at low cost to people who would otherwise not be able to afford to get onto the 'property ladder'.

Larkfleet Group and its subsidiaries, including building contractor FE Peacock, are very committed to the affordable homes market. They build a large number of properties for housing associations. However, the company is concerned that this ‘tax’ on development in the current difficult market will prevent many new developments taking place. It is particularly concerned about plans by some councils to demand even higher levels of affordable homes on new developments.

In his letter to Gordon Brown, Karl Hick says: "These costs very often make sites very difficult to deliver in our area of operation, even in the good times, and this is before the raft of new legislation coming in."

In the current circumstances, he says, it is not possible for house builders to make a profit and they will go out of business – as many have done in the past few weeks. The government will therefore fail to meet its target of getting 240,000 new homes built every year.

He suggests that the government must tackle the fall in house prices, get local authorities to review the costs they impose on developers to pay for schools and roads, and stop raising the standards required in building new homes.

Karl Hick is also expressing concern about recent changes to the way in which commercial rates are charged on buildings. He says this is making forward planning of developments very difficult and is having a profound effect on the development of local economies – which will ultimately affect jobs.

His letter concludes: "I am pleading with you to look at the commercial and practical issues surrounding the house building industry and the delivery of properties.

"Any delivery programme cannot and will not happen unless local planning and government regulation is looked at and integrated together to examine the effects of both on the delivery programme. Major changes will be needed to ease the regulation burden."

Larkfleet achieves investment partner status - 21/07/08

Bourne (near Peterborough) based house builder Larkfleet Homes (www.larkfleethomes.co.uk) has been awarded Investment Partner status by the Housing Corporation – the government body responsible for regulating and supporting housing associations.

This enables Larkfleet to support its existing housing association partners and provide a better overall service to the local authorities where they operate.

The Investment Partner status will also give the company necessary credentials when submitting planning applications to local councils for sites requiring only affordable housing.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: "We believe that this status further demonstrates our commitment to the affordable housing sector and enhances our company profile with the Housing Corporation.

"We are dedicated to working with local housing associations and we wish to continue and strengthen these successful relationships."

Companies in the Larkfleet group are currently working on affordable housing in Oakham, Bourne, Peterborough, and a number of villages in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.

Housing associations are independent organisations regulated by the Housing Corporation which provide low cost homes for rent or shared purchase by individuals and families who would otherwise not be able to afford decent housing. The Larkfleet Group works with housing associations to provide affordable housing throughout the East Midlands and East of England.

Larkfleet sponsors local BMX track - 17/07/2008

Bourne-based house builder Larkfleet Homes is to sponsor the BMX track at John Eve Way in Market Deeping.

The track is in need of refurbishment and Larkfleet is providing £2,695 to complete the funding of the project.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: "Larkfleet is committed to improving the local community in which it operates. We are looking forward to working with Market Deeping Town Council on this venture and hope to work with them again on other projects."

The primary sponsor for the track is WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Limited) the not-for-profit environmental body registered to fund projects which are "eligible" under the Landfill Communities Fund.

Town and district councillor Reg Howard said: "The BMX track is well used by local children and bike enthusiasts and was a well received venture when it was built in 2004. The sponsorship money we have raised from Larkfleet and WREN will help to maintain this community asset."

Larkfleet is currently putting together plans for a mixed use development in The Deepings that will provide a much needed arts and cultural centre, a new home for Deeping Rugby Club, an Age Concern day centre, a nursing home and some additional affordable housing.

Half price homes in lincoln as builders tap into goverment cash - 10/07/2008

New homes at Friars Mews in Lincoln are being offered at half price to some buyers as house builder Larkfleet Homes is using government cash to cut the cost of housing.

The company has been authorised to offer the government's new MyChoiceHomeBuy scheme at its Lincoln development. Potential homebuyers can get an equity loan contribution from MyChoiceHomeBuy of anything up to 50 per cent of the value of the home. The mortgage is paid off in the usual way with a small monthly fee payable on the MyChoiceHomeBuy share.

The MyChoiceHomeBuy share can be paid back in stages or, if the homeowner chooses, in one go. If the homeowner decides to sell the house before the MyChoiceHomeBuy share is paid off, the government will take a share of the money from the sale.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said: “The scheme will make new homes affordable for many more people in the area. It will assist people to achieve the dream of owning their own new home and we will obviously also help in any way we can.

"At a time when house prices are lower than they have been for some time, paying perhaps as little as half the price makes it a great bargain.

"And from the point of view of house builders such as Larkfleet, if the scheme means we can continue to sell homes it also means we can continue to provide employment for our highly skilled craftsmen – so it is a real 'win-win' for everybody."

Larkfleet is also offering the MyChoiceHomeBuy scheme on its developments at Mews The Meadows in Eye, Oakridge Park in Bourne and The Stable Yard in Oakham.

The company will help buyers with the necessary paperwork and will introduce them to financial advisers who can assist with finding mortgages to cover the portion of the house price not covered by MyChoiceHomeBuy.

For more information call Helen Jones at Larkfleet on 01778 391 555

Larkfleet Homes uses Goverment cash to offer homes at half price

Bourne (near Peterborough) based house builder Larkfleet Homes is using government cash to offer new homes at as little as half their normal price.

The company has been authorised to offer the government’s new MyChoiceHomeBuy scheme at its developments across the region. Potential homebuyers can get an equity loan contribution from MyChoiceHomeBuy of anything from 15% - 50% of the value of the home. The mortgage is paid off in the usual way with a small monthly fee payable on the MyChoiceHomeBuy share.

The MyChoiceHomeBuy share can be paid back in stages or, if the homeowner chooses, in one go. If the homeowner decides to sell the house before the MyChoiceHomeBuy share is paid off, the government will take a share of the money from the sale.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, said "The scheme will make new homes affordable for many more people in the area. It will assist hundreds of people to achieve the dream of owning their own new home and we will obviously also help in any way we can."

"At a time when house prices are lower then they have been for some time, paying perhaps as little as half the price makes a great bargain."

"And from the point of view of house builders such as Larkfleet Homes, if the scheme means we can continue to sell homes it also means we can continue to provide employment for our highly skilled craftsmen – so it is a real ‘win-win’ for everybody."

Larkfleet Homes are offering the MyChoicHomeBuy scheme on its developments at Friars Mews in Lincoln, The Meadows in Eye, Oakridge Park in Bourne, Spring Lea in Thurlby and The Stable Yard in Oakham.

The company will help buyers with the necessary paperwork and will introduce them to financial advisers who can assist with finding mortgages to cover the portion of the house price not covered by MyChoiceHomeBuy.

For more information call Helen Jones on 01778 391 555

Larkfleet raises money for Diabetes UK

The death of a colleague’s wife spurred staff at Bourne-based Larkfleet Group into raising money for under-funded charity, Diabetes UK. Following their colleague’s loss, Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet, decided against sending Christmas cards and instead donated the money the company would have spent to this good cause. The staff also raised money with a dress down day.

In total Larkfleet staff raised £300 for Diabetes UK ( www.diabetes.org.uk ) and they plan to continue by carrying out various fund raising activities throughout the year. Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition. Diabetes UK spends up to £6.5 million on research every year to improve the treatment of diabetes.

Larkfleet Group makes its office carbon neutral

Bourne-based property developer the Larkfleet Group has pledged to make its head office carbon neutral. Managing director Karl Hick announced that the firm will offset all its greenhouse emissions by commissioning the planting of new woodland areas. The new trees will absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and are carefully calculated to match the CO2 and greenhouse emissions from the company’s activities at its head office.

Mr Hick is an active supporter of measures to reduce businesses impact on the environment and has voiced the following concerns:

"Climate change is something which every company should be taking seriously. At Larkfleet we are doing all that we can to reduce our impact on the environment by cutting down on energy use, recycling waste wherever possible and encouraging environmentally friendly travel.”

"However we will always have some negative on the environment. Carbon offsetting allows us to ensure that there are new woodlands created will soak up all the CO2 we create at Larkfleet House.”

The emissions caused by the company’s activity their head office will be calculated by one of the UK’s leading climate consultants – the Carbon Neutral Company and will cover everything from the electricity used in Larkfleet House to the fuel used by company vehicles and the disposal of waste from the offices.

Oakridge Park – the popular choice – over 75% now sold/reserved

Larkfleet Homes Oakridge Park development is proving popular with new home owners with over 75% now sold or reserved. Situated in the attractive Lincolnshire market town of Bourne the development is ideally located just a few minutes walk from the centre and its essential local amenities.

The final phase of the development is now being released to coincide with the opening of 2 new show houses to the front of the site. The new show homes will be fully furnished to give homebuyers an opportunity to discover the stylish interiors and high quality specification of these house types. There is also a third show home on the development which has a 'Valentines' theme.

As an added incentive to buyers, Larkfleet Homes is offering its popular 'part exchange' and 'back to back' schemes on this development. Please click for full details.

To find out more about Oakridge Park please click here.

For more information please call:
Oakridge Park show house: 01778 420838 (open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm)
Or the Larkfleet Homes sales department: 01778 391555

The Meadows is blossoming

The Meadows has become one of Peterborough’s most popular developments of new homes, with 5 homes now sold or reserved in the first release AND this is even before the showhomes have even opened. Situated in the heart of the attractive village of Eye, there is a wide choice of house types to suit most tastes and budgets including 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses. All the homes are thoughtfully designed to offer the ultimate in modern living for today’s homeowners and benefit from easy access to local amenities, Peterborough and the A47.

Showhome opens in late June 2007. To find out more about The Meadows please click here.

For more information please call:
The Meadows Sales Centre: 01733 223225 (open 7 days a week, 10am- 5pm)
Or The Larkfleet Homes sales department: 01778 391555

Enjoy city life by the river in Lincoln

Riverside Lawns, Lincoln is a unique building comprising three stylish apartments. Apartment One (the show home) is a modern apartment comprising 3 bedrooms (one can be used as a study), and a sunroom with a garden that leads to the riverbank. Apartment 2 is a unique and interesting property as it benefits from two sun rooms, one to the front and one to the rear which has views across the river. Apartment 3 is a duplex offering 2 floors of modern spacious living.

To find out more about Riverside Lawns please click here.

For more information please call:
The Sales Centre: 01522 575890 (Open 5 days a week Thursday – Monday, 10.00am - 5.00pm)
Or The Larkfleet Homes sales department: 01778 391555