July 2009
Its winning developments are at Turnstone Park on Newtown Road, Carlisle, which features two, three and four-bedroom properties, and at Summerpark in Dumfries, which will eventually become Story Homes’ biggest project with 1,000 bungalows or houses of up to six-bedrooms spread across 250 acres, including woodland.
The company will receive both awards for its double success at a gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on October 31. Further success there could see Story Homes represent the UK in the world’s largest and most prestigious property competition at the global finals in the USA on November 10.
Mr Story, chief executive of the Story Group which also includes Rail and Construction businesses, praised his workforce for their efforts and said the awards were recognition for the quality of the properties the company was continuing to build at a time when there had been a lot of downbeat media coverage nationally of the housebuilding industry because of the credit crunch.
He said: “From our experience in Cumbria and South West Scotland, this is a great time in the property market for the discerning buyer. There are some really good deals out there.”
“Our houses are certainly still attracting buyers, although there is no denying it is a tough market. People are being choosy about what they put their money into – and quality housing like ours will always hold its value a lot better.”
“People are looking at our properties and they are seeing a safe investment. It is a great opportunity to get yourself a good purchase that in three or four years’ time will become an absolute bargain.”
Story Homes’ double success means it is now entitled to display the Daily Mail UK Property Awards’ logo as a symbol of excellence.
Entries in the competition were judged by a panel of independent professionals, including Phil Spencer, property expert and presenter of Channel 4’s Location and Relocation TV shows, and Helen Shield, editor-in-chief of International Homes magazine. Also among the judges was Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents, and Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the National House Building Council.
Mr Story added: “We are delighted to have received confirmation that Story Homes has been awarded not one, but two UK Daily Mail Property Awards for ‘Best Development’ for Turnstone Park in Carlisle and Summerpark in Dumfries. This accolade speaks volumes about our homes and acknowledges the high standard of a Story property for which I am proud to say we are well known.”
“It is an excellent endorsement for our company as the awards are judged from a buyer’s perspective and take account of the high specification, attention to detail and quality of our properties, as they are judged on quality, design, innovation, safety and property security.”
“I am pleased to report that Story Homes are still experiencing a healthy demand for our new homes and we remain pro-active and optimistic about the housing market. We are continuing to work hard to meet the needs of buyers, both on-site and with incentives to help keep the market moving.”
“We are a local company, employing local people who take great pride in delivering a great product, and this is no more evident than when we win awards like these. I would like to thank all staff who continue to make the Story brand the success that it is.”
