AKEHURST EPPS
Contents Introduction to Akehurst Epps & Team Church Lane New Romney Nobles Wood What House? Award Green Farmhouse, Meopham Green, receives Sunday Times New Home Commendation award Key Points 3 4 5 6 7 2
Introduction to Akehurst Epps & Team Richard Epps - Building Director Richard started digging trenches for a local building firm when he was 15, before studying construction at what is now the University of Glamorgan. He then joined Coombes in Canterbury as assistant surveyor before starting his own business, Epps Restoration, specialising in restoring buildings which have been neglected, a passion Richard still has today. In 1996 he joined the family firm, Epps Construction where one of his first tasks was to restructure the business to make it fit for the 21st century. During the subsequent 16 years, Richard has continually evolved Epps to meet the needs of the modern building industry and his own passion for constructing quality modern ecological buildings that are commercially viable. Richard and his team are comfortable with design and build projects in commercial, public and private builds. From historic timber frames to modern steel frameworks, from traditional brickwork to state of the art composite materials, stained glass to architectural glass, all are constructed to the highest ecological standards. Under Richard s stewardship, Epps continues to offer the service and security expected from a traditional building firm established for over 170 years. This allied with a passion for modern and environmentally sound building technologies ensures it adopts a practical approach to modern design, materials and construction. The end result, Epps are amongst the leading independent construction firms in the South East. James Lench LLB Managing Director Akehurst Homes Limited, formed in summer 2009 is owned and managed by James Lench an experienced property professional and Solicitor. James has taken advantage of the difficulties experienced in the housing market to provide high quality housing within London and the South East of England. The company has already successfully completed developments in Sevenoaks and is currently building six luxury homes in Bells Yew Green ( Nr Tunbridge Wells ) Kent. Whilst development is the core business of Akehurst the business is split between development of property for sale and obtaining planning consents on land for onward sale. The company is extremely well placed to deliver sustainable, profitable growth. Solicitor and property specialist, James has worked exclusively in the property sector since qualification. During his time in private practice James led the commercial property team of a well respected regional 500 law firm. James prides his attention to detail and has extensive contacts within both the residential and commercial property sector. 3
Church Lane New Romney This Church Lane New Romney Scheme will be the first development collaboration by the Akehurst Epps team. Akehurst Epps are embarking on developing a 60 unit new development scheme, set to comprise a wonderful collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes ideally positioned in the heart of the Romney marsh. The homes will be designed to provide contemporary and affordable family accommodation. The location is an area of special environmental interest, a unique element for the development. The site will also be within easy reach of New Romney town centre and of all the local amenities the town offers. The Church Lane development is currently at the design and planning stage and Akehurst Epps are working closely with their architects and New Romney town council to complete the build schedule. 4
Nobles Wood What House Award Nobles Wood is a development built by the Akehurst Gold partnership and the Epps Construction team. Formerly a builders yard in a secluded area, this site has been transformed into a complex of high-end homes designed to resemble a farmyard complex. Planning laws and the location of site meant that the large, luxury domestic properties had to be designed to resemble traditional buildings. The private, gated community now comprises a main farm house, farm cottage, worker s cottage and two traditional Kentish oats houses. Baker Construction, who owned the land, were responsible for work to the drainage, roadways and slabs. Epps Construction were involved in the project between February 2012 and March 2013. John Wooster comments: The project was run to a very tight deadline. Our biggest challenge was the weather, which was terrible during much of the build. We pulled out all the stops to ensure the show home was finished in time. The homes are all finished to a very high specification, with handmade kitchens (by David Haugh), concealed wiring and underfloor heating. Each property has solar panelled roofing. The high-spec nature of the internals posed various challenges throughout the build and we worked hard alongside the other contractors to make sure the positioning, tiling and finish were flawless. John 5 Wooster comments further: Working with the client was both challenging and rewarding. They were a great client, demanding and exacting with very precise deadlines as you would expect from such a high-end project. My role incorporated an aspect of design on this build, and I enjoyed sourcing materials and internals including staircases, wardrobes and doors. The properties at Bells Yew Green are being sold by Knight Frank.
Green Farmhouse, Meopham Green, receives Sunday Times New Home Commendation award The team at Epps Construction were delighted when they heard that Meopham Green Farm House, a domestic project built in 2012, was recognised by The Sunday Times British Home Awards. The residential project was put forward by the architect - CYMA - and was Commended by the panel of judges overseeing the 2012 Sunday Times British Home Awards as being amongst the top four best family homes in the UK in 2012. Work started on the Meopham Green Farm House, at Meopham Green in Kent, in 2010 and our involvement in the 15-month project finished in late 2011. The three-storey house has now been finished and is being enjoyed as a family home. Originally an Victorian/Edwardian farm house, the property had seen better days. The cottage on the end had been knocked into the main house. As part of the project, we had demolished the cottage and part of the existing house in order to built a large extension and remodel the house itself. As the property is within a strict conservation area, we worked carefully to care for the remaining parts of the main building, taking particular care to keep the original features. The sympathetic approach to the extension and remodelling resulted in a stunning family home which has been brought up-to-date and fully fitted with a Beyond the Invisible AV system, touch-screen controls and a home cinema. The gardens have recently been finished, and the landscaping has added the final details to this beautiful property which retains the character and features of the original house. John Wooster, Epps Construction site manager for the Meopham House project, was responsible for liaising with the architects and running the site on a day-to-day basis and was supported by Patrick Bourne, Epps Construction surveyor. Both John and Patrick were instrumental in keeping the project on track, maintaining good working and personal relationships with the client and the client s design team throughout. John Wooster comments: The architect on the Meopham House project was very details orientated and the client knew what he wanted: he was a very exacting and had a wonderful vision for his home. This was a lovely job for us to work on and I really enjoyed being on site. John s involvement extended to the remodelling of the home s interior, which included steelwork encased in timber-replicated columns and a floating staircase. Part of our remit was to source specialist suppliers for stonework, arches, brickwork, cornices and domed ceilings, which all had to be in keeping with the period property and existing materials. Richard Epps comments: We are delighted that this precise and detailed building project has been considered amongst the top four family homes in the UK by the panel of judges at 2012 Sunday Times British Home Awards. Fantastic, well done everyone. 6
Key Points The company specialises in developments in London and the South East of England which has proven resilient in the downturn and provides the greatest opportunities as the market recovers. The Directors have extensive industry contacts leading to both on and off market transactions. Akehurst Homes and Epps Construction have a solid track record and have just completed work at the Nobles Wood site in Tunbridge Wells. Akehurst Homes and Epps Construction will guarantee the build costing contained in the development appraisal. Established management team with strong record of delivering development and land trading opportunities. Experienced across a range of markets from small apartments to prime luxury houses. Strong planning skills and ability to deliver consents. Extensive industry contacts and ability to source off market deals. Proven track record in sourcing and delivering high quality developments. 7
AKEHURST EPPS