Ireland NHBC Awards

NHBC Award for Hagan Homes on Upper Newtownards Road

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

Hagan Homes has won an NHBC Pride in the Job Award thanks to Site Manager Eddie Leitch and his work on the Upper Newtownards Road development in Belfast.

The site is located opposite Stormont cricket ground which is within the grounds of the Stormont Estate in Belfast, the seat of the Northern Irish Assembly. Previously the site was a car wash which was demolished to make room for the new-build.

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

The development consists of 33 apartments in total, split into three blocks. The apartments are divided into a block of five, a block of 12 and a block of 16. All apartments have two bedrooms and range in size from 550 sq ft up to 600 sq foot.

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

The project was started in July 2011 and reached completion at the end of august 2012. Hagan Homes used its own in-house architect for all architectural works.

Site Manager Eddie Leitch told Premier Construction about how the project. He said:

“When the project was nearing completion; we were tiling, doing paintwork and fitting kitchens. The apartments are traditional build with areas of cladding and coloured renders, smooth and rough, to give the buildings a lift instead of having simple red brick elevations. Lawns and communal gardens have been built into the project. Decorative stones rather than just spaces of grass, it’s been nicely landscaped.

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

“There is also a GSM link on the electric gates which is quite handy, means that if residents are away or on holiday and get a package or delivery they can phone the gates to open them. Couriers can leave packages safely, it’s a nice touch.”

Eddie Leitch, who has been a Construction Manager for 12 years, began his career in the construction industry as soon as he left school. He commented on his NHBC Pride in the Job Award.

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

Eddie said:

“I was really surprised about the award, I didn’t realise they were actually marking me. A representative came on site from NHBC with his marking sheet and with every day pressures I completely forgot about it, until I got a phone call from the contracts manager who told me he had received an email saying we had won a Pride in the Job Award.

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

“I am really pleased, it’s the first time ever someone’s given me recognition so it’s good to get. I served my time as a carpenter and then decided to study my HND in construction management, so this is a great way to receive recognition for a long career.

Upper Newtonards Road - Belfast - NHBC AWARDS 2012

“I have a great team with me, the subcontractors are fantastic. One of the advantages that has come with the down-turn in the market is that a lot of the tradesmen who have been retained are very good, whereas those who were there just making up numbers have left the industry. Those working on the build are also keen to keep up a good working relationship with Hagan Homes as a company, meaning that the work they do with us is outstanding.”

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