The What House? Awards have been going strong for 28 years and are awarded for outstanding affordable and new homes standards and housebuilders. The recent economic climate may have dampened down the property market somewhat, however, it did not dampen the spirits of the Awards ceremony event held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on 20th November 2009.

Attended by the top housebuilders, construction suppliers and property experts in the country, the Awards ceremony was a shining beacon in what has been quite a difficult couple of years. The What House? Awards 2009 showed off housebuilders at their best, with high standards of housebuilding and optimistic and canny land strategies that will help to secure the future for housebuilding companies when the economy fully recovers.

The What House? Awards 2009 had a multitude of expert judges on the panel, including designers, architects, marketers, consultants, sustainability experts and property journalists. All of them were faced with the unenviable task of choosing the best new housebuilders in the country.

British Housebuilding's most prestigious prize, The Housebuilder of the Year Award, was won by The Berkeley Group. Although there was a tough property market in 2008/2009, The Berkeley Group sold more than a thousand units in the UK. They have also made a pre-tax profit of over £120 million and have gained a number of land plots at lower prices, reaching out at the opportunity to increase their land portfolio. The Group have also gained a number of solid future sales to maintain revenues, and move with the times and remain leaders in their field.

The Berkeley Group also scooped the Best Large Housebuilder Gold Award for the second year running, because of their continually successful and enviable environmental and sustainable developments and policies. The Berkeley Group also have a number of affordable housing schemes, providing homes for all house buyers. The Best Large Housebuilder Silver Award went to both Miller Homes and Galliford Try Homes.

The Best Medium Housebuilder Gold Award was won by Weston Homes who have consistently delivered innovative and awe-inspiring property, with both modern and new design blended with the historical in a number of restoration ventures. One of their developments, Bridges Wharf in Battersea, includes a range of apartments and penthouses, retail units and a five star hotel.

The Best Medium Housebuilder Silver Award went to United House Developments, a strong-player in affordable housing and regeneration developments, and also to Laing O'Rourke's Explore Living.

The Best Small Housebuilder Gold Award went to a recently formed company Consero Homes. Their developments in Surrey were of a very high standard and included a range of built-in lifestyle features, such as sophisticated audio fitting, underfloor heating and high-specification fitted bathrooms and bedrooms. They also provide bespoke services to clients.

The Best Small Housebuilder Silver Award went to City & Country Group for their intelligent conversion and refurbishment projects in historic buildings to suit modern-day living.

The Best Starter Home Gold Award went to Oakford Homes based in Berkshire for their affordable homes private development in Twyford, that included everything in the property price of £250,000. First-time buyers received a range of appliances, fixtures and fittings, energy saving lighting and excellent house and garden design. Oakford Homes is run by four directors and their customer service and knowledge were excellent.

The Best Starter Silver Award was awarded to Weston Homes QV in Colchester, Essex.

Copyright (c) 2010 C Tyler