BRE has certified the first Home Quality Mark (HQM) approved residences, Lancaster Grange, in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire. The landmark seal of approval on the 100-unit development, by Crest Nicholson, provides buyers with the added assurance that their new home is designed, built and will perform to a high environmental standard to meet owners’ health and well-being expectations. The first of the two-bedroom apartments and three to four-bedroom homes are ready to move into now and Help to Buy is available.

The Home Quality Mark is an impartial, 5-star quality rating scheme for new-build homes, developed by BRE. It has been designed to give householders the information they need to make smart choices when buying or renting homes. At the same time, it provides home builders with the means of demonstrating the quality of their homes, and distinguishing them from others in the market.

Positioned close to the BRE Innovation Park, this milestone achievement provides support to the low running costs, low environmental impact and multiple health and wellbeing benefits that will be enjoyed by those living at Lancaster Grange. Crest Nicholson has carefully considered the design of the development to ensure it integrates seamlessly within the existing environment and supports occupants’ wellbeing. Lancaster Grange incorporates communal green spaces, play areas, cycle paths and footpaths that weave through the development.

The development additionally boasts a short 10-minute walk to the centre of Bricket Wood village, helping to fulfil the HQM’s criterion of good transport and links to amenities. Radlett is also just a short drive away, and there is an abundance of good primary and secondary schools within a short distance of the development. Additionally, fast commuter links are provided by nearby Watford Junction station.

Gwyn Roberts, Homes and Communities Lead at BRE, comments, “We are delighted to unveil the first of many HQM-accredited homes. Consumers need to be able to trust that the homes that are built will work for them, their families and the community around them, and the stringent certification process can give buyers at Lancaster Grange peace of mind that Crest Nicholson has thought about these issues very carefully.” 

David Hnyda, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson’s Chiltern: “We are proud that Lancaster Grange has been the first development to achieve this significant recognition of its excellent quality across several areas. We look forward to delivering more high-quality homes that demonstrate our commitment to our customers and the Home Quality Mark’s key areas.”

Homes are available now and start from £394,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, and £545,000 for a three-bedroom house. To find out more, call 01923 595014 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/lancastergrange/

Notes to Editors:

About BRE and HQM

The Home Quality Mark (HQM) is the new national quality Mark designed to give people the confidence that the new homes they are choosing to buy or rent are well designed, well built, and cost effective to run. It enables housebuilders to demonstrate the high quality of their homes and to differentiate them in the marketplace. It has been developed by BRE, with an extensive list of partners from the private and social housing sectors, and promotes the positive attributes of quality and performance in a new build home. More information at www.homequalitymark.com or follow HQM on Twitter at @homeqm

BRE is a world leading building science centre that generates new knowledge through research. This is used to create products, tools and standards that drive positive change across the built environment. BRE helps its government and private sector clients meet the significant environmental, social and economic challenges they face in delivering homes, buildings and communities. BRE is owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity. The Trust uses the profits made by the BRE companies to fund research and education that advances knowledge of the built environment. www.bregroup.com

About Crest Nicholson

Crest Nicholson is firmly established as a leading developer with a passion for not only building homes, but also for creating vibrant sustainable communities. With a southern-based bias, the FTSE250 Group has a track record spanning more than 50 years and a broad portfolio of developments which range in size and scale, from contemporary, large scale mixed-use developments to smaller, more traditional housing schemes. As a pioneer of its own Garden Village principles, the Company advocates a holistic approach to development embracing social, environmental and economic factors to create homes for all segments of the community. These developments are founded on good design, high-quality green spaces, and the greater involvement of local people in both vision and long term management. In line with its commitment to help meet housing demand, apprentices make up c.10% of Crest Nicholson’s entire workforce, and the Group supports the development of jobs and skills at every level. The Group’s focus on upskilling its workforce has led to its Graduate Training scheme being awarded ‘Best Company to work for’ by The Job Crowd 2017 and its industry leading Site Management Academy was also named ‘Best Training or Recruitment Initiative’ at the Housebuilder Awards 2017. The Company is consistently listed in the FTSE4Good index.  www.crestnicholson.com