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Celebrating Women in Construction Week

To mark ‘Women in Construction Week’ and ‘International Women’s Day’, we spoke to Laura Townes, Strategic Land Manager at Hopkins Homes about her role and thoughts on working in the industry. 

Laura, tell us about your role at Hopkins Homes. 

I’m the Strategic Land Manager at Hopkins Homes and have been with the company for nearly four years. This is the first role within Hopkins Homes that is dedicated purely to strategic land.  

Strategic land is undeveloped sites that may have the potential for planning permission.  The success of a strategic site is driven by planning policy and the requirements of the local area.  The process can take several years to come to fruition, if at all. 

Hopkins Homes is renowned for building distinctive homes and environments that retain the heritage of the past, whilst offering energy efficient living.  We are committed to outstanding design and building quality and for this reason, we are often seen as the developer of choice by landowners seeking to realise the potential value of their land. 

How did you get to this point in your career? 

My career background is in Planning – I am a Chartered Town Planner. I read Psychology at University, but I always had an interest in the built environment, so upon graduating I did some voluntary work experience which solidified my interest in town planning.  

After completing my MSc in Spatial Planning, I spent a short time in local authority as a Planning Officer before joining Bidwells as a Planning Consultant, where I completed my professional qualifications in Planning and an MA in Urban Design. 

After 8 years at Bidwells, I joined Persimmon Homes as their Planning Manager. I was fortunate to be mentored in the Land role there, which eventually led to being promoted to Head of Land and Planning.  

After 8 years at Persimmon Homes, I was ready for a change and joined Hopkins Homes to specialise in Strategic Land, which bridges both Land and Planning disciplines. 

What’s great about working in Land? 

Working in Land is incredibly varied because it requires a wide range of skills and activities. Skills include written and verbal communication, relationship building, numeracy for viability work, and analysis for assessing the planning prospects of a site.  

The role is partly desk based for research and report writing, but there is also a lot of time out of the office visiting prospective sites and attending meetings. As someone who enjoys information gathering and relationship building, the role is particularly enjoyable due to the amount of continuing professional development (CPD) and networking opportunities it provides. 

What are the challenges of your role? 

There is a finite amount of suitable development land, so there is a lot of competition. Reviewing new opportunities, preparing and submitting bids can involve a lot of work that ultimately is abortive if not successful.  However, that means the successes are even more rewarding.  

Relationships with landowners, agents, consultants, planning officers and politicians are an important part of achieving success in this role. 

What is it like to work for Hopkins Homes? 

Everyone at Hopkins Homes has a great team-work ethic – it’s like one big family. We all have diverse skills and make different contributions to the team, so we are more successful together than as individuals. Whilst we are held accountable to a very high standard with pressure to deliver, there is a great camaraderie across the business, with a lot of fun along the way. 

What’s the future like for women in construction?  

The industry has been consciously making efforts to change for some time through various initiatives, and I know many driven and inspirational women who have achieved senior positions. There now seems to be a more even proportion of women entering the profession, who are climbing the ranks alongside their male peers.  

Whilst there may still be some disparity across the sector as a whole, I am confident it will continue to improve exponentially, particularly as women are starting to become better represented in upper management roles. I think the industry has changed significantly in a relatively short period of time, so I would definitely encourage women to consider Land and Planning as an enjoyable and rewarding career with plenty of opportunities to succeed.  

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Building Gender Balance

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Site Management Experience for Women

Hopkins Homes is encouraging women to apply for site management experience as part of the Women into Home Building (WiHB) programme. 

The funded three-week programme includes an initial week of online training and insight sessions, followed by a two-week work experience placement.  The programme also offers contributions towards travel and childcare costs. 

Developed by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) in collaboration with leading regional and national home builders, the initiative seeks to expand the talent pipeline and foster gender diversity within site management.  Women currently account for 16 per cent of the construction workforce, with only four per cent working as site managers. 

Hopkins Homes, along with Tilia Homes, both part of housebuilding group untypical, are among 11 housebuilders to have signed up to the programme, which will provide 38 placements in total offering training, support and work placements.  

Hopkins Homes will be offering its placement at Chediston Place in Halesworth. 

Duncan Jackson, Managing Director of Hopkins Homes, said: “We are delighted to be offering a placement at Chediston Place in Halesworth, as part of the Women into Home Building programme.  The HBF’s programme has a strong track record of actively promoting women into construction, helping to not just address the skills shortage and widen the talent pool, but also to build more diverse and inclusive teams across the industry.” 
Last year, Kirsty Newman joined the untypical group as part of the WiHB programme. She said: “The placement was a brilliant opportunity to ‘get my foot in the door’ of the construction industry. It has allowed me to explore different areas within construction and see where my interests and skills suit.” 

“The most rewarding aspect has been the continuous learning experience. I was able to absorb a wealth of knowledge from my colleagues, both through training and discussions.  I’ve been amazed by the number of technical terms I’ve added to my vocabulary! Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive.” 

Kirsty continued, “During my time at untypical, I gained a wide range of experiences across various departments within the organisation.  I enjoyed taking part in a Women’s Networking Launch, representing a huge stride forward in promoting diversity and empowering women within the company. I was inspired by the Sales Director’s leadership journey and the valuable lessons she shared.”   

The application window closes on Sunday 23 March 2025 at 5.00 pm. Those interested are encouraged to apply at HBF.co.uk/WIHB. 

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Tilia Homes is encouraging women to apply for site management experience

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Stunning show homes launch this weekend at Beaulieu, Chelmsford

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of two exquisite show homes at Beaulieu in Chelmsford, Essex.  

This milestone marks a significant step in our commitment to delivering exceptional homes in one of the most sought-after locations in the region.  

 

Experience Luxury Living 

Hopkins Homes at Beaulieu offers a limited collection of just 80 exclusive homes for sale, ranging from 3-bedroom townhouses to 5-bedroom detached properties. 

The two show homes, named “Alston” and “Abberton,” are the pinnacle of Hopkins Homes’ design philosophy and craftsmanship. Meticulously crafted with traditional brick detailing and an array of materials, these homes look just as good on the outside as they do on the inside.   

The Alston: A spacious 4-bedroom detached home, perfect for growing families 

The Abberton: An elegant 3-bedroom town house, ideal for first-time buyers and downsizers 

Constructed in timber frame, each home offers contemporary open-plan living spaces with a wide range of flexible layouts to choose from and generous ceiling heights to maximise natural light.   

High-specification kitchens with integrated appliances and slimline worktops are provided as standard, along with flooring throughout, ensuring your home is ready to move into from the start.    

Each home is equipped with the latest energy-efficient features, including an air source heat pump, underfloor heating to the ground floor, an electric car-charging point and super-fast broadband.  Homes that are future proofed for years to come, ensuring your utmost comfort, whilst championing sustainability.   

 

Enjoy A Thriving Community  

Situated within the vibrant Beaulieu development, these new homes are part of a carefully planned community that blends modern living with natural beauty.  

Beaulieu offers an abundance of green spaces and recreational areas, perfect for a variety of outdoor activities or simply unwinding in nature. Families will appreciate the proximity to top-rated schools and educational facilities, ensuring quality learning opportunities for children. 

Connectivity is a key feature of Beaulieu. The upcoming Beaulieu Park Railway Station, just 1.3 miles away, will enhance the already excellent transport links, making commuting a breeze.  

At the heart of the community, you'll find a vibrant local centre hosting a range of shops and amenities. For your day-to-day needs, Hopkins Homes will also be building a convenient store just moments from your doorstep. 

Living in Beaulieu truly offers the best of both worlds - the serenity of nature combined with easy access to modern conveniences. It's a place where you can enjoy a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. 

 

Exclusive Launch Event 

To celebrate the occasion, Hopkins Homes is hosting an exclusive launch event on Saturday 25 January 2025.  Prospective buyers are invited to be among the first to tour these stunning show homes and experience the Hopkins Homes difference firsthand. 

Duncan Jackson, Managing Director of Hopkins Homes, part of the untypical group said: “We are looking forward to sharing our fantastic show homes with visitors this weekend. They epitomise the perfect blend of modern flair and classical charm, complete with premium appliances and fixtures & fittings. Whether you're stepping onto the property ladder or seeking your next home, we have various buying schemes available to help get you moving."   
To guarantee time with our team, book your visit today by calling 01245 904482 or email beaulieu@hopkinshomes.co.uk.   

For more information about the homes for sale, click here.

  

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