From city to country, housing aims for prize

Care, city living and rural bliss characterise the three very different finalists in the Large Residential category of this year’s ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards.

In the running are the Oak Court Extra Care scheme in Blaby, the first phase of the Anstey housing development St James Gate and the city centre apartment project Stonesby House.

The category, sponsored by Infrastructure Investment, is one of six in this year’s ProCon Awards. The ProCon Awards’ overall sponsors are Salus Approved Inspectors, Unique Window Systems, Westleigh Partnerships and Gateley Plc. The Leicester Mercury is the Awards’ media partner.

The Large Residential Scheme of the Year finalists are:

Oak Court Extra Care Home, Blaby, submitted by brp architects

Oak Court is the first Extra Care facility created by the East Midlands housing association emh homes.

The affordable housing development numbers 50 dementia-friendly units of one and two bedroom apartments with communal amenity spaces across three storeys.

St James Gate – Phase 1, Anstey, submitted by Davidsons Homes

St James Gate is a development of 170 homes built by Davidsons Homes at Groby Road, Anstey. Phase 1 totals 68 homes. Davidsons Homes has since completed Phase 2 and is now selling homes in Phase 3.

The vision for St James Gate was to create
 a development of beautiful, carefully designed homes which provided a contemporary interpretation of the existing character of Anstey after studying architectural styles in the village.

Stonesby House, Leicester, submitted by Architects LE1

A range of 23 apartments has been created by the redevelopment of two adjacent sites, including a vacant former grand town house and the demolition of an office extension.

The two new apartment blocks – Stonesby Square and Stonesby Mews – are in the New Walk conservation area.

James Boyle, director of the award’s sponsor Infrastructure Investments, said: “The design and building of housing that rises to the challenge of increased legislation and addresses sustainability is of crucial importance.

“Creating dwellings that people like living in now and will like in the future should bring out the best in design and construction, so these shortlisted projects – and the eventual winner – deserve enormous credit.”

The winner will be announced at a November ceremony at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.

The other five awards are:

• Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Infrastructure Investment
• Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Danaher & Walsh
• Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Danaher & Walsh
• Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by EME Installations
• Sustainable Development of the Year, sponsored by Willmott Dixon