Cumbria housebuilder Russell Armer Homes is celebrating a big win in the Local Authority Building Control North Building Excellence Awards 2018.

Their Kendal development The Avenue captured the imagination of the judges in the hotly contested category of Best Small New Housing Development.

The development attracted praise for its sympathetic transformation of what was a challenging site adjacent to established housing. The 15 homes have rooftop views towards Kendal Castle, and in the judges’ view demonstrate what can be achieved on a constrained site.

Russell Armer Homes architect Richard Wood said: “‘We’re really chuffed to have won this prize, especially considering the strength of the competition from national builders.

“We are particularly proud of The Avenue as we’ve been able to turn an awkward, space-limited site into a really smart development that not only provides comfortable, modern accommodation for residents – including five affordable homes – but that enhances the wider area.”

The LABC network covers all local authorities in England and Wales and is split into 12 regions, each of which awards its own prizes.

Russell Armer also made the shortlist for the LABC North Building Excellence Awards for Cragg Close in Kendal and for the LABC North West Awards for The Sheiling in Arkholme, held last month.

The win means the firm qualifies as a finalist in the LABC Grand Finals 2018 which are due to take place in London in November.