Persimmon is aiming to more than double the unit output of acquisition Charles Church under the leadership of new chairman Steve Watt.
The company plans to raise build totals for the former Beazer premium brand from 400 to 1000 units by 2003.

Watt, who also heads Persimmon's City Developments division, said: "We are committed to taking Charles Church forward, quickly and positively." As part of that process, Charles Church has two new regional divisions, North East, based in Newton Aycliffe and Western, based in Chipping Sodbury.

Meanwhile former Beazer Group chief executive John Low, who left the company in March immediately after the Persimmon takeover, is back on the housebuilding scene. Low has been appointed chairman of upmarket Kent housebuilder Honeygrove Holdings.

In his new post Low will work alongside Honeygrove chief executive Jeremy Streeten. Streeten said Low's role will be to steer Honeygrove through its next phase of expansion. With a reputation for high-quality new and refurbished homes in west Kent, Surrey and east Sussex, Honeygrove is currently carrying out the redevelopment of the old post office site in Tunbridge Wells.