Rural housing development of the year

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The judges found these finalists a breath of fresh country air, reflecting the contrasts in current rural design, with traditional vernacular sitting side-by-side with contemporary. Ultimately it was Midas Homes that had the golden touch in this Powergen-sponsored category

Winner

Waters Edge

With its neat rows of traditional-looking candy-coloured cottages, Midas Homes’ Waters Edge development in Shaldon, near Teignmouth, Devon, looks good enough to feature on a picture postcard. Designed by Harrison Sutton Partnership, the 50-unit scheme takes its design inspiration from the old village of Shaldon, which is adjacent to the site, and its conservation area. No two houses are identical and modern essentials such as meter boxes and flues have been concealed from view. The judges said: “The scheme has a tight plan that seems to relate to its surroundings and is permeable, and the housing is of its context. This is well-executed vernacular.”

Finalists

Cambourne

Housing association Circle 33 and architect Hunter and Partners are among the eight organisations working together to develop more than 350 affordable homes at Cambourne, a new settlement near Cambridge. The affordable homes are being provided in 21 different layouts, with a mix of styles and finishes. The consortium is also developing some low-energy homes with solar hot water panels, photovoltaic panels and whole house heat recovery systems.

Hobbs Lane

Beckley is a scattered village near Rye with a population of fewer than 2000. Rother Homes’ 10-home scheme at Hobbs Lane is intended to aid the regeneration of a village that has lost many essential services. The scheme, which was design by WAS Architects and Surveyors, includes houses and bungalows.

Leybourne Lakes

At Leybourne Lakes, in Larkfield, near Maidstone in Kent, Berkeley has created a large scheme of more than 300 houses and apartments in a country park setting. The scheme, designed by Broadway Malyan, aims to capture the feel of a New England fishing village, with its pastel-coloured shiplap boarded homes. The site’s former gravel pits have been turned into lakes with diverse natural habitats and a wetlands area has been created.

Pebble Beach

The sedate coastal location of Barry has never seen anything like Barratt’s Pebble Beach. The contemporary-styled low-rise scheme of 20 apartments, designed by Capita, is all glazing, white render and titanium zinc-finished roofing. The judges had words of praise for the scheme: “It is trying to change the nature of the housing on offer in that area and is a commendable use of contemporary design.”