Aster Group joint scheme hailed as ‘highly commended’

Ethical housing developer Aster Group and national housebuilder Galliford Try have been ‘highly commended’ in The Best Partnership category at the prestigious National Housing Awards. The award has been given for the partnership’s £55 million joint venture housing development, White Rock in Paignton, Devon.

Since its establishment, the partnership has created over 1,500 local jobs and a total of 350 new homes in the Paignton area. The partnership has inspired several initiatives and events to benefit the surrounding community including a specialist construction training and education hub to help address a region-wide construction skills shortage.

Judges praised the partnership’s focus on the education of the local community.

Head judge Steve Walker from the Steve Walker Consultancy, says: “As well as building homes, they decided to tackle the severe shortage of construction skills in the South West by implementing an innovative education hub. A really productive and unique partnership providing a lasting legacy of skills.”

“As an ethical housing developer, the welfare of the areas we develop in is a high priority for us and we look for every chance to give something back,” says Amanda Williams Group Development Director, Aster Group. “This development has given us a great opportunity to help combat the construction skills shortage in the surrounding area through the education and experience provided in the training hub.

 “We are delighted that the dedication and hard work of our partnership and contractors has been recognised.”