Tag Archives: bovis homes

Education, News, Property

Primary school picks name for new Oundle development

Oundle Church of England Primary School has helped name a new community coming to the town.

The school was asked to submit name suggestions for the new 130 home development, off Cotterstock Road, after being approached by developer Bovis Homes.

Cotterstock Meadows was the winning name chosen by the team at Bovis Homes after receiving 40 entries from the school, which received £100 in book vouchers as a thank you for taking part.

In addition to the £100 in book vouchers that the school can use toward expanding its library collection, the participating classes were also awarded boxes of chocolates.

Jo Griffin, the headteacher at Oundle Church of England Primary School, said: “I am delighted that Bovis Homes has allowed our school to influence a part of its local community.

“We are looking forward to seeing the town grow and flourish further. In particular, we look forward to welcoming new families to our warm and wonderful Oundle community.”

Hannah Dorner, senior sales manager for Bovis Homes, said: “I attended Oundle Church of England Primary School when it was Oundle Middle School, and I was keen to reach out and get the children involved in helping name our latest development.

“Building relationships with the communities that we build in is such an important part of our ethos, and now, doing so within the community that I grew up in and know so well, is even more rewarding.

“Both the pupils and staff came up with lots of brilliant suggestions for our new development, but Cotterstock Meadows stood out to us as an effective name, paying homage to the local area.

“It’s been fantastic to work with the school on this project, and we look forward to continuing to build relationships in the town when we start work later this year.”

Bovis Homes is planning to deliver 74 houses for private sale at Cotterstock Meadows, comprising a mix of two to five-bedroom designs as well as 52 affordable properties for rent or shared ownership. The development site also includes four self-build plots.

Detailed plans for the 126 properties by Bovis Homes at Cotterstock Meadows are currently with North Northamptonshire Council. Once planning permission is granted, work could start in the coming months, with the first homes going on sale later this year.

In addition to the new homes, around 125 full-time construction jobs are set to be created during the build programme. The planning agreement will also see Bovis Homes provide financial contributions towards education, libraries, transport, including a cycle path, health and community facilities.

Bovis Homes is already building new homes in Peterborough at the Hampton Water development, off London Road and in Sawtry at Judith Gardens.

For more information, visit bovishomes.co.uk.

Construction, Midlands News, News

Forces veterans build successful careers in construction with Vistry Group

Ex-forces personnel enjoying successful careers in construction with Vistry East Midlands are encouraging others with a military background to consider joining the industry.

As the UK celebrates Armed Forces Week (Monday 22 to Sunday 28 June), Vistry Group announced it has signed the BuildForce Veteran Alliance Charter, strengthening its support for ex-military personnel looking to transfer their skills and experience into the construction sector.

Vistry Group – whose housebuilding arm comprises Linden Homes and Bovis Homes – employs around 100 former service men and women across the country.

Several of Vistry’s ex-forces employees work for the company’s East Midlands division, which is based in Peterborough.

Among them is 40-year-old assistant site manager Kieron Pittore, who currently works at Linden Homes’ Kingsley Place development in Barnack, near Stamford.

Kieron, who was previously a Royal Engineer at RAF Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire, said: “For those who leave the military, it can be challenging to hold down a solid job, as it’s often difficult to adjust from an adventurous and active working style to a new role.

“But there are huge similarities between the armed forces and the construction industry, one of which is just how much your day-to-day job can vary. I’ve found the vast variety of tasks I have to complete throughout my working day really helps to keep me engaged, just like in my previous job.

“With every day working on site, I learn something new. My past work has helped me to pick up carpentry and plumbing knowledge, which I’m sometimes able to apply during my work on site too.

“I view my working day at Kingsley Place as a team effort from my time in the Army, and I’m not going anywhere without my team. We all work very hard to provide homes of the highest standard.

“This industry really benefits from military personnel – they have great discipline and high standards – and I really think there’s a job for everyone.”

Kev Frances, a 58-year-old site manager from Cambridge, joined the military in 1989 as an internationally based Pioneer, and has been working at Linden Homes’ Brampton Park development in Brampton for the past four years.

After leaving the army, Kev joined the construction industry as a carpenter and has worked his way up through the ranks, securing 11 prestigious Pride in the Job Quality Awards and two Seal of Excellence awards from the National House Building Council (NHBC) in recognition of his work.

Kev said: “The construction and sales team at Brampton Park are like a big family, just like it was in the Army.

“Military employees are trained to be well-disciplined and organised forward-thinkers with great planning skills. We’re also taught to take orders and to perform to the best of our abilities, which is exactly what I believe has helped me to be successful within this industry.”

Rob Spittles, 47, is the Production Director for Vistry East Midlands, and is based at the company’s regional office in Peterborough.

He was employed by the RAF as a Combat Engineer as a 16-year-old and was promoted to Royal Engineer before he left at the age of 28 to pursue a career in construction.

Rob said: “I started out in the construction industry as an assistant site manager when I left the Royal Air Force, and I’ve worked my way up through the ranks since.

“The military taught me resilience, interpersonal skills, man management, communication skills, and how to keep a calm head in stressful situations. These skills have really helped me to achieve a successful career working for a very well-regarded builder.

“Since Linden Homes and Bovis Homes became part of Vistry Group earlier this year, it has presented an array of career opportunities in all different locations across the East Midlands. I would encourage those from a military background looking for a new career to consider this industry, as I believe it is an excellent path to take for those with a military skillset.”

For more information about careers with Vistry East Midlands, visit vistrygroup.co.uk.