Four Scottish housebuilding companies have won top awards for the innovation they have shown in addressing key issues such as the environment, the provision of affordable housing, involving local communities and improving customer service. They were presented by broadcaster Sally Magnusson and Deputy Chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage, Keith Geddes, at the Homes for Scotland Innovation.

The overall award in the Affordable Homes category went to Persimmon Partnerships Ltd for their development at Garthamlock, Glasgow. The company had worked in partnership with key stakeholders and showed flexibility in responding to community concerns and aspirations against a background of many years of local economic decline.

The top Community Involvement Award went to CALA for their development at Winchburgh, West Lothian where they had worked creatively with local residents, including school children, to ensure their involvement in the development process. A website had been created to reach those whose interest was more passive.

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The top Health & Safety award went to CALA’s ‘Above and Beyond’ campaign. This had helped to prevent accidents through better design in a range of situations, for example the installation of convex mirrors and sun visors in forklifts. Staff also benefited from a programme of health-based activities including lunchtime walks and the provision of caffeine-free drinks.

Miller Homes picked up the top award for Customer Satisfaction by taking tried and tested practices to the next level to improve the house-buying process for customers through use of the internet. The ‘mymillerstreet’ website has been developed to show the key stages in the construction process and to enable customers to familiarise themselves with their neighbourhood, their neighbours and even their carbon footprint.

The Environment & Sustainability award was presented to Taylor Woodrow Developments for their innovative plasterboard recycling initiative. The company has adopted a pro-active approach to an identified wasteful process and environmental problem and is encouraging further development and replication throughout the industry.

Taylor Woodrow Developments also won the top award for its innovative use of Construction Materials and Techniques. The company had developed a prefabricated Domestic Energy Centre, which comprises all the building services normally controlled from the boiler encloser, to avoid a common problem – a clash of labour occurring in the smallest space in the house.

(CD)