Category: Uncategorised

  • A celebration of life

    It’s with profound sadness we share the news that Brian Verity, our founder and chairman passed away on 30th April 2022 after a short but brave battle with myeloma.

    Brian had a significant impact on the business landscape in and around Skipton; his legacy can be seen in bricks and mortar across Yorkshire and Lancashire. Brian was a man who had a dream; a dream to build better homes and that is exactly what he did. Starting with his very first development, Carleton Park in Skipton, where he built over 100 homes. This is no small feat for a first project, and he accomplished this with the help of several contractors, but the experience ignited his desire to build homes with his own team. Over the years he has built a long-serving and loyal team of people who have worked for the company for a significant period. His first Site Manager, Alan Massie, is still with us to this day and remembers Brian’s two daughters as young girls.

    Over the course of Brian’s life, he has built over 3500 quality homes across the two counties. A very passionate man, he put his heart and soul into his business, and was well respected by his employees, consultants, and peers. Brian was also a businessman that wanted to change the way things were done and voiced his frustrations regarding planning. A position his daughter continues to champion in her role as Chair of the National Federation of Builders. Brian and his daughter’s visionary approach to our business and commitment to high standards has earned us many awards, most recently Housebuilder of the Year at the Construction Awards of Excellence.

    Brian was a man who wanted to share his success with local causes and has been a long supporter of local sports clubs, Manorlands Hospice, Airedale Hospital, Cave Rescue and many other worthy charities across the region.

    He leaves behind his loving wife and two daughters who have, with his guidance, shaped the company into what it is today. Sarah Barraclough has been the company’s Managing Director since 2019 and continues in this position. His youngest daughter, Caroline, continues her role as Sales, Marketing and Design Director.

    We plan to celebrate Brian’s extraordinary life in the next few weeks, all that knew Brian are welcome. The celebration will take place on Wednesday 25th May, 1 until 4pm in the Bannister Suite at the Coniston Hotel. In honour of our late founder, we will be closing our developments and Head Office for the day. We request that any donations in lieu of flowers are given to Manorlands Hospice, collections plates will be available on the day or donations can be made here.

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    Skipton Properties

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  • Housebuilder of the Year 2022!

    We’re honoured to be named Housebuilder of the Year 2022 

    The Construction Awards of Excellence are an independent awards ceremony, where all construction businesses across Great Britain are eligible to enter. 

    The awards recognise individual and team excellence, and identify companies that set the gold standard in the construction sector. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) established the Awards, which were judged independently and chaired by Lord Stunell. 

    The award judges said that in a very strong category, we delivered outstanding projects of high quality with an acute awareness of both environmental and social factors – and also built on difficult sites which other developers wouldn’t have wanted to touch! 

    So what does this mean to us? Well, a great deal! In the past few years we have taken on some every difficult developments that have tested us to our limits, including regeneration projects at St Stephens Place in Skipton, and more recently Ebor Mills, Haworth and sites with either steep topography or where water runs right through our development. 

    Sarah Barraclough, Managing Director adds ‘Thank you to our team for your passion, and our homeowners for believing in us, we couldn’t have done it without you! We are always trying to re-imagine our homes and the way we do things to build better homes for our customers, being awarded House Builder of the Year 2022 definitely gives us a spring in our step.’ 

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    Mya Gouche

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  • We’re changing the way we give back: The Principle Trust Children’s Charity

    Our ‘Community Grants’ is changing. This year we’re partnering with The Principle Trust Children’s Charity so we can make a big difference to underprivileged children in the region. 

    Making the announcement Mike Davies said “We are delighted that Skipton Properties has joined The Trust as a patron; they are a family firm with traditional values which align closely with our own ethos of supporting families. This partnership will form a significant part of our plans to expand services across the region”.

    A bit about the Trust: Established in 2011 by Mike Davies, MBE, the charity serves families throughout Yorkshire, providing free respite holidays to children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.

    Their aim is to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of children and provide some relief from the poverty, crime, disability, and any other disadvantage they may be enduring. Between 2011 and 2021, The Trust provided free holidays t0 4100 children. The Trust owns and operates six holiday homes, 2 in the Lake District, 3 near Blackpool and one in Ribble Valley.

    Sarah Barraclough, our Managing Director, said “We are excited be joining the Principle Trust as patrons. Our family-first ethos is reflected in everything we do; from the design of our homes to our responsibilities to our employees. Our  commitment to the Trust will help them to provide free respite holidays to dozens more families every year” 

    Why is there a need for what they offer?

    As well as disadvantage due to poverty across the UK there are 1.2 million disabled children. Families with disabled children face extra costs, on average £581 per month and in almost a quarter of families with disabled children their extra costs can amount to more than £1000 a month. These extra costs will undoubtedly exacerbate circumstances for those families that may already be in poverty and unable to afford day to day living, never mind a holiday.

    As a children’s charity they work with several referring partners, including teachers, children’s hospices, special needs schools, social services and other local authorities across Yorkshire.

    How do they address the need? 

    The Trust currently own 6 holiday homes, 3 of which have been adapted specifically with disabled children in mind, one at Ribblesdale Park, Gisburn and the other 2 at White Cross Bay, Windermere. Their other 3 homes are caravans at the fun filled Haven Marton Mere site, near Blackpool. Each child that is referred to them and is eligible receives a FREE week at one of their holiday homes, along with their siblings, parents or carers.

    What differentiates them from other small charities?

    ‘At The Principle Trust 100% of every £1 raised goes straight to the development of the charity and is not used for administration or wages. Our 2 full time and 1 part time staff salaries are paid for by owned company ‘Corporate Sponsorship’ who we also share an office with. We can therefore safely say that every penny we raise foes towards providing disadvantaged and disabled children (and their families or carers) a free respite holiday at one of our holiday homes. No other charity in Yorkshire provides 200 FREE holidays for underprivileged, disadvantaged, and disabled children per annum. What the charity offers is truly unique!’

    Image credit: Stephen Garnett

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    Mya Gouche

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  • Spotlight on… The Ermystead

    Have you ever dreamt of living in a brand new community in a popular West Yorkshire town benefitting from great transport links and stunning surroundings to explore?

    If you answered yes, then The Ermystead at Bolton Gardens could be for you! This attractive house style has a double bay frontage and features four double bedrooms and a luxury specification.

    On the ground floor, the left-hand bay is occupied by an integrated single garage. The right-hand bay is home to the living room, which features a traditional wood burning stove and double doors to the dining and kitchen, creating a large, wraparound living space. The central entrance hallway also has a door to the kitchen, as well as to the W.C. An internal door from the garage opens onto the utility room, which in turn leads to the kitchen. The dining area has double doors to the rear patio and turfed garden.

    Upstairs there are four double bedrooms leading off
    the central landing.

    The master suite is especially large, with space to create a dressing area as well as an en suite shower room, while the remaining bedrooms share a family bathroom with bath.

    As with every Skipton Properties home, at Bolton Gardens our homes have been designed to complement the local architecture and the surrounding landscape, which helps to really set this development apart.

    The homes are situated to maximise views over the rolling green fields and their drystone wall boundaries, and are a mix of favourite, tried and tested house types and new house styles designed specially for Bolton Gardens. The development is ideally situated close to the centre of Silsden, a popular, well-connected town that’s convenient for commuting.

    Like to find out more? Head over to the development page here or view the home style, The Ermystead here.

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    Mya Gouche

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  • Part Exchange at Bolton Gardens, Silsden

    It’s not often we can offer Part Exchange. But when we do it’s not to be missed. Let us take the stress out of finding a buyer for your home

    At Bolton Gardens, Silsden, we just have one last home in this initial phase that can be ready for a family this June. That means you’ll be in your home for the entire Summer.

    The Sharp is a beautiful four bedroom home. One that is harder to visualise than is usual, due to its rather unique elevation, but once it’s built it really is a beautiful family home. Walk inside the Sharp to a wonderfully spacious double height hallway. From here, besides the cloakroom and laundry room, a single door leads to the kitchen, and double doors lead to the expansive, open plan living space. This encompasses a living area, complete with cosy wood-burning stove, and dining area, with the kitchen to one side. More double doors open onto a garden room – ideal as a playroom or snug – and the large garden itself. An integrated garage occupies part of the left-hand side of this detached home, which has direct access to the spacious entrance hall.

    Upstairs there are three double bedrooms and one single. The master bedroom has an en suite shower room, while one of the double bedrooms connects to a very large storage cupboard. There is also a family bathroom with bath.

    Outside, due to the plot’s location, there is space for numerous cars so if you have teenagers at home there’ll be space for their car too. In the secluded garden you’ll have views of the surrounding countryside, with mature trees to the rear of the garden and a further row of new trees we’ll be planting to the right of the garden.

    The Sharp (Plot 48) is priced at £520,000, features a luxury specification, utility to the garage and FREE flooring if you can move in June. Discuss Part Exchanging your home with our Sales Advisor, Karen by calling 01535 280309 or emailing Karen at [email protected].

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    Skipton Properties

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  • Make the most of the Summer

    Want to make the most of your new home for the Summer months? We’re here to make that possible.

    Starting with Bolton Gardens, Silsden… we have just one home left in our first phase. The Sharp is a traditional detached home with four bedrooms, a garage and benefits from a luxury specification. What’s more, we are going to floor it for you and landscape the rear garden with some beautiful trees. This home is currently in build, and hidden behind scaffolding, which is why we have created a CGI of this exact plot so you can better visualise your new home.

    It’s an incredibly private plot on the development and also features views of the surrounding countryside.

    Call our Sales Advisor, Karen on 01535 280309 for further information. Or view more information here, including specification details and floor plan. She’ll be there all weekend 10:30am – 5pm.

    Over at Parsons Meadow, Addingham we also have just one home still available. The Hartley is one of a pair of semi-detached homes, with four bedrooms, a balcony and garage. We have all kinds of special offers available on this home, which can be tailored exactly to your needs! Call our agents, Harrison Robinson to arrange a tour of the View Home -on 01943 968096 or view more information here.

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    Skipton Properties

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  • Our New Show Home in Haworth!

    Our new Show Home at Ebor Mills will be located in the Warehouse in Plot 12 and will launch next Saturday, 26th March.

    We’ve now sold all of our properties in this carefully restored building but hope it will give you a flavour of our renovation work. Join us between 10.00-14.00.

    We don’t want to give too much away but our new luxurious Show Home is set to inspire, showcasing the enviable standard of living afforded in this conversion. Paying close attention to detail from appraisal of the site right through to furniture styling we feel we have created a streamlined and minimalistic show home that stands us apart from the rest. The clean lines, organic form, minimal ornamentation and high functionality really adds to the final design, we cant wait to show you!

    We have just one Warehouse Apartment left to sell of our released homes at Ebor Mills, however, we are really excited to be able to launch our next release of homes on the day, watch this space!

    The below pictures are not of Ebor Mills we’re afraid (sorry about that)!, but of a previous development we did at Kearns Village, and is a previous example of our restoration work. The Show Home here was a sensitive refurbishment of the original Gate House at a former mill in the Rossendale Valley and one we are very proud of. This timeless renovation was completed six years ago.

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    Skipton Properties

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  • Spotlight on… The Roberts, Bolton Gardens

    New Release! Are you waiting for your dream five bedroom family home?….

    Due to be build complete in March, this traditional style of home boasts five bedrooms, a garage and luxury specification.

    The Roberts is a traditional house style with an impressive double bay frontage. It is our only five bedroom house style on this development and features a luxury specification.

    On the ground floor, the left-hand bay is occupied by a study, which will benefit from views of open countryside and behind it an open plan living room with traditional wood burning stove leading into a dining area and kitchen.

    This space has two sets of patio doors and a further door to access the garden. The right-hand bay is home to the family and utility/boot room, which has direct access onto the garden.

    Upstairs there are three double bedrooms leading off the central landing. The master suite is especially large, with large en-suite shower room and his and hers sinks. Bedroom two also has its own en-suite, whilst the rest of the bedrooms, including two singles are served by the family bathroom.

    Like to find out more? Head over to the development page here.

     

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    Skipton Properties

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  • LABC Building Excellence Awards 2021 Winner

    We are delighted to announce that the LABC announced the Winner of the Best Medium Volume New Housing Development as…… The Rise, Harden!!!

    More than 750 leading construction industry figures attended the LABC Building Excellence Awards at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel to acclaim best practise, quality and standards in construction.

    A panel of industry experts judged a list of the highest quality projects and teams from around England and Wales to showcase solutions to complex technical or construction issues, site constraints, technical innovation and the building control professionalism that leads to safe, sustainable and high quality construction projects.

    The judges understood the project’s name – The Rise – was a nod to its difficult topography. The site, formerly coal sheds, sloped very steeply upward, which presented a significant challenge that needed to be overcome when designing the homes. As a result, both homes and gardens were designed with the use of split levels, providing more usable space, making the gardens easier to manage and maximising natural light throughout the day.

    The latter part of this project took place during the pandemic, so the well-established, respectful working relationships between the team and LABC meant that all parties were able to adapt swiftly and find new, productive ways of working.

    Congratulating us, Lorna Stimpson, LABC Chief Executive said;

    “These new style awards reflect LABC’s new focus on skills, quality and competency and reflect the best in construction from a technical perspective. The Rise saw very effective communication, especially given that a sizeable portion of the work took place out during the pandemic and the decision to stop work entirely for several weeks during the first lockdown. The great rapport between the team and building control meant that close contact was maintained and they were able to quickly pivot to working more flexibly.”

    A round of applause to us!

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    Skipton Properties

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  • New Year, new launches!

    We’re excited to be able to launch 3 new view homes and a show home to kick off 2022!

    Firstly we’ll be looking at launching our brand new view home at our Parsons Meadow development on 18th February. This small, idyllic site, is located at the end of a country lane in the sought after village of Addingham. With just 3 of our luxurious homes still remaining, a generous flooring contribution on offer throughout February and The Hartley home soon to be showcased we wouldn’t want you to miss out, speak to our Sales Advisor, Karen, to book your appointment now – 01943 667300.

    We’ll then be throwing the doors open to our first Bolton Gardens view home (The Roberts) on 4th March. With planning permission for a total of 77 homes and all of our homes within the first phase having been released, we are pleased that only 2 plots are still available for sale and with this in mind, we will be looking at releasing a further five, three bedroom homes this week. Explore the new view home and talk to Karen on 01535 280309.

    We’re moving our Show Home at Ebor Mills, our current show home is now sold and occupied so we’ll be moving our Sales Advisor, Natalie, into plot 12 in the Warehouse, where we will really be able to showcase what life would be like living in a historic conversion. The warehouse was built in the later part of the 19th century as part of the expansion of the mill complex, and replaced an earlier spinning mill. These five plots offer the best of both worlds; they are beautiful modern homes, designed for family life, and located within an original building with an important industrial heritage.

    The new show home will launch on 25th March and each room will be fully dressed with furniture, complete with a beautiful kitchen, tiling and flooring, as well as a splash of colour on the walls to inspire!

    We have also decided to open one of our four bedroomed Heron homes at our Ebor Mills development as a view home in April. This will be fitted out with a kitchen, tiling and flooring and available to view by the 8th April. Call 01535 288000 to speak with our Sales Advisor, Natalie.

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    Skipton Properties

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