Woodgate wins best placemaking at RESI awards

The RESI Awards celebrate innovation, excellence and leadership across the residential property industry and we overcame fierce competition from major industry players, including Barratt Redrow, Berkeley and Legal & General to win the category.

Woodgate, our 619-home development built as a joint venture with Abri in West Sussex, was singled out by the judges. The development is a template for good, where delivering the social heart of a community early has created a real sense of place and belonging. Working with Plunkett UK and Abri, we delivered a community hub with a village shop, owned and run by residents. The adjoining café and meeting space was given to St Catherine’s Hospice for a £1 peppercorn rent, allowing the charity to raise funds while providing a comfortable and popular meeting place for visitors and local residents.

The judges commented: this was a standout project delivering an ambitious and forward-thinking approach to sustainable placemaking, delivering zero-carbon, infrastructure-led communities at scale. Through innovative partnerships and the integration of cutting-edge energy technologies, this development sets a new benchmark for low-energy living and long-term affordability.

Commenting on the night’s success, our founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Boughton said: “Woodgate shows that new developments can be places with real character and a shared sense of ownership from the very beginning. Community ownership models give residents a stake in their village, and that sense of belonging is tangible when you walk around the development.”

“I am immensely proud of what we delivered at Pease Pottage in partnership with Abri, and this RESI award for placemaking is welcome recognition of the thriving community created by our approach.”

The development is now fully reserved or sold and the final act for the community will be the gifting of the sales pavilion later this year. Slaugham Parish Council will take ownership of the building as a permanent asset and uses will include public meetings, co-working spaces, and wellbeing activities such as yoga or mindfulness classes.

Sally Ingham, Development Director at Abri said: “Placemaking is about creating the foundations for a strong community from day one, not just homes people are proud of, but the spaces, services and opportunities that help neighbours connect and belong.

“Woodgate shows what’s possible when partners invest early in the social heart of a place. By putting community assets and customer involvement at the centre, we’ve helped create something that will continue to serve local people for the long term. A genuinely collaborative approach with Thakeham has created lasting value through building communities and not just homes.”

Woodgate has been recognised at several high-profile awards over the years, including:

• Best Housing Scheme (500+ homes) and the coveted Editor’s Choice Award at the 2025 Planning Awards

• WhatHouse? Awards 2025; Gold for Best Placemaking (Woodgate)

• Highly commended Best Community Initiative at the 2025 Housebuilder awards

• What House? Awards 2022: Silver Award for Best House

• Evening Standard New Home Awards 2022 : Best Out Of London Home