The new town of Countesswells, to the west of Aberdeen, has picked up the RICS award for best residential development in Scotland in 2018.
Almost 40 of Scotland’s most impressive and community beneficial property schemes battled it out for top honours at the RICS Awards 2018, Scotland. TV presenter, Catriona Shearer - best known for presenting BBC Scotland - hosted this year’s sell-out ceremony, held at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh, which attracted over 200 property professionals.
Countesswells will encompass 3000 homes and supporting facilities when completed. This project is an example of a large-scale housing development being funded by innovative means using a UK Treasury guarantee that has allowed certainty and confidence to invest in a significant amount of up-front infrastructure and environmental works.
In addition to this scheme being a successful case of placemaking, judges appreciated how the team behind the project have involved residents, who are taking ownership of completed spaces, and becoming members of the management company responsible for maintaining new public spaces, allowing them to own and control the land’s future use.
The new town is being brought forward by Countesswells Development Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stewart Milne Group.
Jim Fitzsimons, special projects director for the group said: "These awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in the country and we are pleased and proud that Countesswells has scooped the residential award. Our aim is to make Countesswells one of the greenest, most attractive places to live in the North-east and this recognition of our efforts in taking a fresh approach to creating something exceptional is very welcome."
Stewart Milne Homes has completed the first phase of homes on the site at Regency Place which has been designed by Stewart Milne Homes’ award-winning architects. Nestled amongst the western woodland at Countesswells, the homes at Regency Place have been built and laid-out to make the most of this attractive location and position, orientation and style. The first neighbourhood and choice of homes includes two bedroom mews homes, three bedroom detached and semi-detached homes along with four and five bedroom detached villas.
Over 150 families have already made their home at Countesswells.
Kirkwood Homes have just commenced building alongside Stewart Milne Homes on site and two further house-builders are set to join them very soon.