Just a couple of months after appearing in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 Springfield have won through to the final of the Scottish Home Awards. Along with four other top Scottish builders Springfield are competing for the Springfords Medium Housebuilder of the Year open to builders of 100-999 units a year.
The Scottish home building industry contributes over £5 billion to the Scottish economy and employs more than 110,000 people. The Scottish Home Awards is an independent awards programme established to promote excellence within Scotland's house building industry.
The independent panel of judges assessed the entries on aspects of business planning; marketing strategy; financial results; product overview; quality of interior and exterior design; customer service/care, and value for money.
John Main, Managing Director, is looking forward to the awards dinner in April when the winners in each category will be announced, “Awards like these raise the profile of the construction industry in a really positive way by recognizing excellence, our success in reaching the final of this competition is a real tribute to everyone at Springfield and to all our sub contractors and suppliers.”
To find out more visit www.scottishhomeawards.com







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Delighted Moray Housing Partnership (MHP)tenants moved into brand new homes built by Springfield at Waukmill, Elgin this week. And in an impressive exercise MHP had every house let by the end of the day.
The thirty new homes made up the final phase of a one hundred and one home much needed development of shared equity, rental and special needs homes.
Laura Grant, Chairperson of MHP said, "I was on site to hear the lucky tenants express their delight with their new houses and must say how impressed I was with the standard and design of the properties."
The 30 new homes at Waulkmill now bring MHP’s total housing stock in Moray to 427 affordable homes for rent.


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Any doubts about the housing market whcih may have been lurking in peoples minds at the end of 2007 seem to have been completely dismissed with Springfield's sales department reporting a brisk start to 2008.
Turn of the year sales at The Paddock, Alness mean that phase one has just one remaining plot and the second phase of new homes will be released for sale in the next week or so. According to sales manager, Joyce Napier, word is getting around locally just how much Springfield has to offer, "As a company we were not known in Alness but once we had made the first few sales word of mouth started working for us and things began to snowball. Without a doubt our homes offer people what they want in terms of space, interior choices, and location, and of course, all at a fixed price."

Joyce is bullish about the coming year, "Sales in Elgin are still strong and the release of Moravia Apartments in Elgin is eagerly anticipated judging by the strength of the waiting list. Later this year we expect be on site in MacDuff and I'm really looking forward to the response to introducing our product to yet another part of Scotland!"

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2008 will see Springfield push ahead with a new Environmental Policy to be launched early in the New Year.
The policy has been formulated to minimise waste and avoid pollution. Springfield has been practicing simple recyling on it's site for a number of years but now it's time to up the game says Tom Leggeat who will be implementing the policy, "We have already modified our system for distribution to sites which has cut down wasteage dramatically and we recycle glass. paper, plastic and cans at our offices."
Using environmentally sustainable materials has been a must for the last few years, in 2008 the company will promote sustainable sources of energy at a number of developments. Investgation of environmentally friendly fuels for the vehicle fleet and getting the workforce on board are top of Tom's agenda, "So far everyone has been enthusiastic about the changes, and quite a number have commented that this has made them more environmentally aware at home as well."
The Springfield workforce has been introduced to the policy through a monthly in house news sheet and through briefings on site, two activities that will be ongoing throughout 2008 along with monitoring of the effectiveness of the new policy.

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It’s official! Springfield Properties PLC is Scotland’s fourth-fastest growing company and 54th in Britain – according to the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list.
Managing director Mr John Main is delighted with the Fast Track ranking that comes three years after Springfield first appeared in the Fast Track 100 list of top unquoted companies in the UK. He says: "We are delighted to receive this recognition of our achievements and look forward to continuing to build on our success.”
Between 2003 and 2006 annual sales grew by 82.84% from £4.7million to £28.7 million.
"Springfield will never be accused of standing still. We are constantly scanning construction industry horizons for new opportunities, establishing expertise in an area or market and using that expertise to grow the company."
Headquartered in Elgin, Springfield employ a staff of 200 with a further 250 sub-contractors engaged on major projects throughout the North. Spreading the geographical base of the company is the latest challenge in the pursuit of profitability, assessing and purchasing land throughout Scotland for immediate development or with longer term possibilities is top of the agenda. Springfield has started building in the Highlands and about to develop a site at Macduff in Aberdeenshire with Braemar and Portsoy to follow in 2008.
The Fast Track 100 listing is good news for Moray whose economy benefits from a £500,000 boost every week thanks to Springfield’s activities. The current financial year will see the company complete 247 new homes and continue construction at the substantial Elgin South housing and commercial property development that will include a care home, medical centre, retail units, office accommodation and sports facilities. Part of this ambitious development is a large new headquarters for Springfield due to be ready for occupation by next summer.
Now Moray’s largest private house builder, Springfield has earned an enviable reputation for growing the stock of affordable new housing in its main area of operations and is now diversifying into specialist one-off construction and high-end luxury homes.
"We have never shied away from affordable provision," says Mr Main. "It is an essential part of every community and brings, not only homes, but revenue to the area. We are currently in the final phases of a project that has brought £9.5 million and 101 new homes to Moray and are well-placed to address the rising demand for affordable housing."
Mr Main credits his management team and workforce for the company’s success.
"Without their focus and dedication none of this would have been possible," he says. "Our workforce is loyal and productive and we have a loyal team of sub-contractors and suppliers who have also been instrumental in our growth."
Growth throughout Scotland will be Springfield’s biggest challenge in 2008 and see the assessment of new locations for development and the purchase of land beyond Springfield’s traditional boundaries.




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Moray will soon be endowed with a new Hydrotherapy pool thanks to the amazing efforts of a small band of dedicated fundraisers who have raised well over £200,000 to fit out the new pool.
The pool will be built by Springfield adjacent to Forres Swimming Pool and will be donated to the Hydrotherapy Pool Charity who will fit out the building, manage the pool and continue to fundraise.
The plans for the pool are at the final stage of the planning process with just one more council department to make an assessment, so come the New Year the charity should really have something to celebrate.
And what is so special about Hydrotherapy? According to fundraiser May Taylor it's simple, "it improves lives!"
Under the supervision of a physiotherapist painful conditions and injuries can be treated. The relaxing warmth and buoyancy allow painful limbs and muscles to move increasing mobility, giving exercise, speeding recovery and generally improving well being.
We all know some one who will benefit from the new pool, if you are interested in becoming involved in the charity or making a donation please call May Talor on 01309 675337

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Springfiled's Alness devlopment is proving popular with buyers with nearly half of the homes in phase one selling in the first week.
Sales manager Joyce Napier believes, "The Paddock is ideally situated for taking advantage of all that The Highlands has to offer with the convenience Alness High Street just a few minute walk away. All the new homes will be finished with clients individual choices and of course they are a fixed price which is always popular".
The Paddock, at Teaninich, is in an unbeatable location, which is undoubtedly adding to its popularity, surrounded with trees and made up of generous plots there is a real feel of country living.
To find out more contact Joyce on 01343 552550


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In a concerted move to spread it's geographical base Springfield homes will soon be available in Aberdeenshire.
The site, off Buchan Street on the eastern outskirts of Macduff overlooks Tarlair Golf Course and the North Sea and will provide eighty five new homes for the town.
Work is underway on the planning application which Springfield expects to submit to Aberdeenshire Council by the end of October.
John Main, Springfield MD,is delighted with the purchase, "We've been planning a move into Aberdeenshire for some time and the nature of this site will allow us to be up and running with new homes for sale in the first half of next year."
In addition to Springfield's range of two, three and four bedroom family homes there will be a number of two bedroom apartments at the Golf View development.
To register your interest in the development please contact Springfield on 01343 552550.

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A fantastic new facility has taken shape in Nairn over the last few months. Nairn’s Sandown Allotments now have a tranquil community garden specially for adults with learning difficulties.
It’s all thanks to the Health and Happiness Leisure Link, an organisation dedicated to promoting integration for adults with learning difficulties and the Beechgorve Garden.
With lottery funding and some help from Springfield in preparing the site the garden is complete and being run, enjoyed and gardened by the people it set out to help.
This Sunday, 12th August, the garden is being showed off to the public with the official opening and openday.
Craft and produce stalls, scarecrow competitions and best dressed Jim McCall look alikes will be the flavour of the day and you’re invited to take something along to the barbeque.
Deidre Ryan of Health and Happiness who managed the project says the garden is a whole lot of everything with raised beds for wheelchair users, lower beds with veg and cottage garden flowers, a small pond and sheltered alcoves and benches. She explains, “The idea is for this garden to be multidimensional, a place to be productive or to relax or to socialise and even a venue for small events and gatherings. We are really pleased with the outcome, we’ve had help and co-operation from so many organisations and we’d really like anyone who helped to come along on Sunday and see the results of all the hard work”
Springfield was delighted to be involved in this project and we wish the garden and its gardeners every success for the future.

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The most exciting new-build social and business development in Moray has begun to take shape on Thornhill Road, Elgin.

The steel structures rising from the Southfiled site are changing Elgin's Southern horizon, bringing relief to over stretched infrastructure.

When complete the £12M park will offer a multitude of local services. The steel frames under construction are seven retail units, Sandy Adam, of the developer Springfield Properties, says that the units are generating interest in the retail and service sectors, "We are really pleased to be providing this facility and aim to ensure that the Southfield offers a range of goods and services on the doorstep of the local community, and for all the users of the park, there will be about 300 people working on the park every day.

"We are expecting to complete the retail units by October and by that time we will have begun construction of the office blocks. The care home, child care centre and state of the art medical centre will follow, as will the two football pitches and sports pavilion."

All areas, including the landscaped parkland, are joined by paths and cycle tracks which link in to integrated public transport and 16km of cycle track, all part of the proposed Travel Plan for Elgin South. All these amenities make Southfield a great place to work and live according to Springfield’s MD, John Main.

Springfield's office based staff have been delighted to learn that they will be then first tenants of the new offices.


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Next week a development of ten two bedroom apartments in Nairn Road Forres, IV36 Apartments, will come to market.

The contemporary style of the apartments will appeal to all ages, and the layouts meet a range of needs. Five of the apartments have en-suites, four have private entrances and the remaining six are served by a central stairway. In each apartment natural light floods into living areas from generous windows which open onto a balcony. Off street parking to the rear is complimented by a landscaped grassy area to the west.

As with all Springfield’s new homes IV36 will be offered to the ‘waiting list’ first. Anyone enquiring about a development before it’s released for sale is given the opportunity to join the list with no obligation.

Joyce Napier, sales manager at Springfield explains that members of waiting lists are first to receive marketing information and are given a ‘first come first served’ opportunity to reserve a property before developments are released to the general public, “In cases such as IV36 where there is high pent up demand there are real advantages to joining the list, these clients are giving themselves the best chance of reserving their ideal property.”

The waiting list for IV36 is still open, to join contact sales at Springfield on 01343 552550.

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Househunters staked out Springfield’s head office from 4:00am on Saturday morning to be at the front of the queue for a new home in Forres.

By the end of the day ten would be buyers were celebrating their purchases at IV36 Apartments in Forres town centre.

The ten two bedroom apartments ranged in price from £120,000 to £135,000, the fixed price system works well for first time buyers according to Joyce Napier, Springfield’s Sales Manager, “The sell out is a reflection of first time buyers and buy to let investors wanting to clinch a property in a rising market. These properties have only been advertised on our website and all the buyers were pleased they had used our waiting list system to increase their chance of success.”

The buyers will take possession of their new homes early next year. Current proposals see Springfield building more apartments in Forres in late 2008.

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A primary six team from Hythehill Primary School in Lossiemouth has won the Springfield Kwik Cricket Festival.

The festival, which takes in all of West Moray, is the culmination of weeks of coaching by accredited coaches from Kinloss Cricket Club and from the Cricket Scotland organisation. This year fifteen schools took up the offer of coaching, all paid for under a sponsorship deal with Springfield.

The exciting final saw ‘sixes’ flying and Hythehill won out in the end 54 to 46, the jubilant team were awarded the Springfield Trophy. The top four teams won Kwik Cricket sets for their school and will represent their schools again at the All Moray Festival in Fochabers. The top two teams from there go on to a national competition at Trent Bridge.

A Springfield representative who was able to take in the closing stages of the competition was impressed with the standards of play and behaviour, “Coaching had obviously paid off, there was some really stylish bowling and batting, but more importantly this gives hundreds of school children an opportunity to play competitive team sport and to represent their schools. We all know the benefits of sport and team sports particularly, there was a great atmosphere of friendly competition at the festival and Springfield is delighted to be involved.”

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Riverside apartments at South Kessock is an exciting phase in the regeneration of the harbour area of Inverness. The fourteen contemporary two bedroom apartments will be built right on the banks of the River Ness on Anderson Street. Light and airy in style and designed for modern living the apartments have open plan living areas, en suites and balcony views across the river to the Kessock Bridge and The Black Isle beyond.

The local plan for Inverness envisages a riverside walkway or promenade which will eventually link South Kessock to the town centre.

In contrast the new homes at The Paddock, Alness are more family oriented with predominantly three and four bedroom homes in a secluded setting just a short walk from the bustling High Street and all the facilities that Alness has to offer.

Springfield is proposing to have a showhome up and running by late autumn and all the homes will be sold off plan which allows Springfield’s well known, wide range of client choice in the finished product. From kitchens to socket positions and from paint to tiling, the choice is your….and there are loads of optional extras to choose from too!

To receive details as they become available and to be first to be notified of the release of the properties for sale please join our waiting list by calling 01343 552550.

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Moray's first shared equity homes were among forty new affordable properties unveiled in the area this week.

The development, at Waulkmill, Elgin is being delivered in partnership with The Moray Council, Grampian Housing Association and Springfield Properties. The forty new homes include bespoke special needs homes, and homes for rental through Langstane Housing Association.

In addition, Grampian Housing association is providing the ten three-bedroom homes for Homestake, the Communities Scotland shared equity scheme. Each property will cost £112,000 and the new owners will purchase up to an 80% stake in that.

Elgin tenants of The Moray Council, or of a housing association and people on the waiting list to be rehoused in Elgin will be given priority for the Homestake properties. They will also need to be first time buyers, or have experienced a significant change in circumstances or have special housing needs.

Tom Leggeat, who heads up Springfield's affordable housing division, said: "Springfield only tabled the idea in Autumn 2005, and in little more than eighteen months we have the first phase completed and 40 families housed.

“That is a phenomenal turn round by any measure.”

A spokesperson from Grampian Housing Association echoed Mr Leggeat’s comments, adding: "We are pleased to be working in partnership the three parties to continue to bring more affordable housing to Moray, and our Homestake properties will provide an opportunity for potential purchasers to buy their own home at an affordable price."

A further sixty-one homes will be delivered once the second and third phases of the development get underway.

Anyone interested in the Homestake scheme should contact Grampian Housing Association on 01224 202900.

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An application to build sixty new homes at Pinegrove, Elgin has pushed new home plans submitted by Springfield to an all time high.
To date this year Springfield has submitted planning applications for 233 new houses and apartments.
The proposals for Pinegrove have been submitted in conjunction with Moray Housing Partnership as a response to strong demand in the area by private clients and housing associations for apartments. They will see an existing redundant building demolished and replaced with contemporary three and four storey apartment blocks. Architectural details are picked out in stone, cedar and glass and most apartments have a balcony facing either south or north.
The four blocks will house fifty six two bedroom homes and four one bedroom homes, twelve will be for rent by Moray Housing Partnership and thirty two will be sold privately by Springfield. The remaining sixteen will come onto the market as part of a shared equity scheme aimed at enabling first time buyers to climb onto the property ladder.
Springfield hope to bring the apartments to market in the autumn of this year, to be notified of release dates please subscribe to our message service.

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It’s out with the old and in with the new at 115 South Street, Elgin, the office building opposite the Elgin Sorting Office which nurtured the fledgling Springfield Properties. Springfield has submitted a planning application to Moray Council to replace the existing outdated building with fourteen two bedroom apartments.
The proposed new homes are arranged in three blocks, a central four storey block with two adjoining three storey blocks, the central block is served by a lift.
The building is contemporary in style, external architectural features are finished in sandstone and cedar, and each apartment benefits from at least one balcony. Each apartment will be individually styled by the purchaser from the usual great range of choices at Springfield.
A similar, though smaller building is proposed for a derelict burned out site in Forres. Plans have been submitted for the site of the former Pine Cottage next to the old Post Office. Ten two bed homes will be incorporated in one block on the site offering possibilities for private and investment purchasers.

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Springfield has secured planning consent from Moray Council to develop Elgin's largest ever residential site. Two hundred and ninety six houses and ninety eight apartments will be built on the site to the south of Thornhill Road.
John Main, managing director, explains, “There’s a shortage of one and two bedroom apartments in Elgin right now and this phase of Elgin South has given us an opportunity to address that, as well as providing two three and four bedroom family homes. The apartments are all two bedroom and built in attractive blocks of four, we know that they appeal to private buyers and to investors, and so some of these properties will be a welcome addition to Elgin’s stretched rental market.”
The development includes two, three and four bedroom detached and semi detached homes, is punctuated with landscaped ‘green areas’, and will have a large play park and field. It links directly into ‘Southfield’ which brings shops, doctors, recreation, offices, a nursery and a care home to Elgin South.
Joyce Napier, sales manager anticipates a high level of interest in the new homes, “The homes market is buoyant, we are handing over homes finished to a very high standard which clients really enjoy, in addition they enjoy the luxury of knowing what the cost of their home will be and not having to deal with the ‘offers over’ system”.
Springfield expect to be on site by autumn 2007, as yet a date for release of sales details has not been decided, but watch this site or subscribe to our message service to be the first to receive details.

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Springfield has opened a new showhome and marketing suite at Linkwood, Elgin. The showhome showcases a Springfield family home, the Newton, demonstrating the quality of build and finish, and the range of choice available in a new Springfield home.
The spacious home uses a neutral palate with highlights of vibrant colours and creative lighting to create an open and welcoming atmosphere.
Joyce Napier, sales manager is delighted with the response to the showhome, 'Without exception visitors and clients are going away with ideas for their own homes. At Springfeild we offer a huge range of options and optional extras to personalise homes and the showhome shows how this can be taken a step further'.
The Marketing suite is housed in a Moy style home specially adapted for the purpose, and brings together information about all Springfield developments.
The Linkwood showhome is open Thursday to Sunday 12:00 noon to 4:00pm.

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In December last year photographer Leanne Demay snapped up the £5000 prize in the inaugural Make it in Moray Competition for Moray based young entrepreneurs. A £5000 prize is up for grabs again this year to the young person who can convince the judges that their business or business idea is headed for success.

Once again we are seeking out enterprising 16 to 30 year olds who have a vision for their Moray based business or business idea. As last year the top three entrants will be offered business support and advice from within Springfield. Closing date for the competition is Friday 17th November 2006

Entries will be judged on criteria including: innovation, research, financial viability, problem solving, planning and adaptability, and commitment. Those who are invited to meet the judges will be asked to relate product, marketing, and finance to the present situation and to future plans and expectations.

“We all know that the young are the future of every community and so the really good news for Moray is that all four of last years finalists are making a success of their businesses right here in Moray. The entries in last years competition were a refreshing reminder that Moray has an abundance of opportunity and talent, we want to get that message across to young people and to stimulate and reward the ‘have a go’, enterprising attitude that was so apparent throughout the entries”. (For more information about each finalist please visit www.makeitinmoray.co.uk).

Sandy Adam, MD at Springfield was delighted by the enthusiasm and professionalism of last years finalists. He says to prospective entrants,
“Don’t under estimate your ideas or visions for the future, if you are enterprising and determined ‘have a go’, you can make a great future for yourself in Moray”.

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An exciting new project will see Springfiled build twenty four new homes on the west side of Inverness. The deal to purchase an area of land on Anderson Road has been tied up and work will start later this year.
The land, next to Gael Force Chandlery, comes with detailed planning permission for twenty four apartments. The two bedroom apartments will be contained in two blocks of three and four stories and have superb views to the North and East, Kessock Bridge and the Black Isle to the North and the city of Inverness to the East.
The apartments are not yet on the market and sales information is not avaiable but by subscribing to our sms messaging service you will be the first to know when the apartments are for sale. To subscribe click the ticker at the bottom of the home page.

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Lossiemouth Apartments
Craigellachie Family Villas and Bungalows

Springfield has recently released twelve two bedroom apartments in the beautiful seaside town of Lossiemouth. Arranged in three blocks of four, and situated in the Shackleton area the apartments are priced at £87,000 and offer an excellent 'buy to let' or first time buyer opportunity.

Accommodation consists of lounge , kitchen and bathroom and, unusually for this type of property, two equal sized bedrooms. Reasonably proportioned at 3.3m x 3.00m, one has a built in wardrobe and the other a walk in wardrobe.

Our usual range of client choice includes choice of kitchen, bathroom, tiles, paint, and socket and radiator positions making every house truly individual. These choices are all available at Shackleton representing even better value.

In Craigellachie the second phase of Coopers Court brings twelve new homes to the market offering stylish family living in a range of two, three and four bedroom bungalows, villas and semis.

The development is sure to prove popular with half of the homes being bungalow styles.
Sales Manager Joyce Napier knows that demand for bungalows far outstrips supply. She maintains that, “with density issues so much to the fore it is unusual to find a development with so many single storey homes”.

Once again, our usual range of client options and optional extras is available giving you choice and value.


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Springfield Properties PLC welcomed Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm MSP to Elgin toady in his capacity as the figure head of the Communities Scotland organisation.

Communities Scotland is the funding partner of an initiative undertaken by Springfield, Moray Council, four housing associations and Communities Scotland to provide Moray with high quality affordable housing which reflects the needs of those on waiting lists.

The initiative has already delivered 123 homes in Elgin and Forres, the last 59 of which were handed over today by the minister, completing a substantive investment of £13.6M in Moray during phase one.

Mr Chishlom handed over three homes to their new tenants at Linkwood, he described the project as a considerable achievement.

He went on to say, “I hope it continues in Moray, and it is the type of model I would wish to see adopted across more of Scotland. Everyone involved in these projects is to be commended for their vision and determination in engaging in the way they have, and for having worked collaboratively to find a solution that works for everyone.”

Springfield MD Sandy Adam told partners and invited guests “We at Springfield made a positive decision a number of years ago to actively promote as much affordable housing as we could.”

He went on to say that the success of the partnership was improving lives in Moray through both housing and employment.

Springfield have built social housing on all of their recent larger developments which in 2005/0226 attracted funding to Moray which would otherwise have been lost to other parts of Grampian.

Mr Adam continued, “I can say with confidence that phase 1 of this project has been a successful and positive experience for all the partners. So much so for Springfield that we have come back to the table to suggest extending the project to a second phase. Funding has been secured through Communities Scotland for a further 102 homes for Elgin.
“The second phase is being built on land acquired, in the first instance, by Springfield. This is extremely unusual and not sustainable for a developer. Perhaps the next logical step is for local councils to bring publicly held land to these partnerships”.

To mark the inception of phase 2 Malcolm Chisholm MSP began digging the first foundation of phase two.

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Phase three of our Linkwood development was released for general sale at the end of January to strong demand.

The release brings back to the market many of our most popular house styles which had sold out elsewhere.

Joyce Napier, sales manager, is delighted with the response and says that the new year and new release have brought a rush of interest and sales.

She says “Buyers know exactly what they are going to pay, where-as with a second-hand home, if it goes to a closing date, they could be up against three or four other people who may be able to put in higher bids than them.

“That is certainly one of the attractions of new build homes, and perhaps explains why there is so much interest in them.

“The particular attraction of our homes is that we work very closely with buyers so that the interior of their home is entirely their own choice. This includes everything from the kitchen and bathroom to the ceramic tiles and the positioning of electrical sockets.

“Each home that we hand over is very individual – we rarely hand over two houses that look even remotely the same".

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A young Moray photographer came up trumps in the inaugural Make it in Moray young entrepreneurs competition winning the £5,000 first prize.

Leanne Demay, 26, beat off competition from 19 other high calibre entries and three other finalists.

The competition, run by Springfield Properties was open to 16 to 30 year olds and aims to encourage young people to make the most of the opportunities that Moray has to offer.

The four finalists gave presentations to a panel of judges yesterday and then had a nervous wait until the winner was announced at a lunch to celebrate the occasion.

Sandy Adam, MD at Springfield, said that he and his fellow judges were delighted by the enthusiasm and professionalism of all the finalists. ‘We had an interesting and challenging morning. Leanne was the best of four outstanding finalists, all of whom I’m sure will go on to build successful businesses in Moray’

Leanne has run her business ‘Pure Images’ from home since April and hopes to use the prize to set up a studio. Having started with portrait, family and wedding photography she has recently moved into the commercial arena where she has received acclaim for her work on the Community Recycling in Moray Calendar. Visit www.pure-images.co.uk to view Leanne’s work.

Ewen Menzies of the Bank of Scotland, one of the judges, summed up the day as a refreshing insight into the future of Moray which demonstrated the talent and commitment of young local people.

To read more about the competition please visit www.makeitinmoray.co.uk

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Elgin based property development company Springfield properties has secured a place on the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list.

Ranking the UK’s 100 fastest growing unquoted companies by annual sales growth between 2001 and 2004 the list was revealed on 06/12/05 in The Sunday Times Business Section Supplement.

Springfield is placed at number 55 in Britain and top in Scotland, with annual sales growth of 83% from £1.9 in 2001 to £12.1 in 2004.

The list, which is now in its ninth year, raises the profile of the country’s most entrepreneurial unquoted companies. Springfield is in good company, Carphone Warehouse, DX Communications, Logan Air, JJB Sports, Innocent Smoothies, and Dyson have all featured in the past.

Established in 1956 by Wilfred Adam and run now by his grandson Sandy Adam, the company directly employs 200 people with a further 250 working as sub contractors. Springfield now spends £500,000 in the Moray economy every week.

Significant growth of the company was precipitated in 1998 by the decision to directly employ a construction workforce. The company is on target to complete 275 homes this financial year and is now the largest builder of private homes in Moray and the largest builder of affordable housing in the North of Scotland.

Building private homes only to order allowed the company to develop a disciplined approach to production with tight budgetary controls, good communication between teams and strict build programmes. This disciplined approach facilitated a sales boosting move into building affordable housing on contract to housing associations.

MD, Sandy Adam says, ‘We do not shy away from affordable provision, it is an essential part of every community, bringing not only homes but revenue to the area. We have included affordable housing in all our recent developments and will complete the current £10M project, providing 123 homes for four housing associations, next March. We are now actively seeking out contracts and recently submitted a planning application for a further 102 much needed affordable homes in Elgin’.

In addition to housing the company delivers major infrastructure improvements through both its civil engineering division and building division. Building begins next year on an ambitious landscaped community park providing a medical centre, care home, retail units, offices and sports facilities. Chief executive John Main says, ‘This is our most exciting and challenging infrastructure project to date. The park is exceptionally well designed and will be unique in the North of Scotland’.

Mr Adam credits his management team and workforce for the success that has led to inclusion in the list, ‘without their focus and dedication none of this would have been possible. Our workforce is loyal and productive and we reward ability and hard work both financially and with career growth. In addition we have a loyal team of sub-contractors and suppliers who have also been instrumental in our growth in recent years’.

'We are delighted to receive this recognition of our achievements and look forward to continuing to build on our success'.

For more information visit www.fasttrack.co.uk

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Elgin’s affordable housing stock is growing.

Elgin property developers Springfield Properties PLC are celebrating the completion of the first in a series of affordable housing developments at their Glassgreen site.

Fourteen houses have been handed over to Margaret Blackwood Housing Association as part of the Moray Volume Procurement Initiative (MVPI).

Construction began on the £10 million project in September 2004 and by the time work is complete in March 2006 Moray will benefit from 103 new affordable homes.

The initiative has involved successful partnership working between Springfield Properties PLC, four housing associations and Communities Scotland. This joint effort has overseen the entire project from securing land and funding, through to design and construction, and letting and maintenance.

Managing Director of Springfield, Sandy Adam, said:

“This project recognises the serious depletion of local affordable housing stock and is working to ensure that Moray remains ahead of the game as demand for affordable housing increases.

“As a company we are as keen as ever to bring social housing to Moray as a very important and necessary part of new or expanding communities. What this example is delivering and the manner in which it is being delivered is a great achievement, and one of which Moray can be extremely proud.”

Communities Scotland area director, Gordon Smith, said:

“The completion of this phase of affordable housing is a significant step forward for the people of Moray. This particular project is the culmination of years of hard work carried out by Communities Scotland, with its key partner organisations and Springfield.

“Springfield have proved to be excellent locally based private sector partner and we are delighted with the end result which provides much needed high quality social housing stock for the area.

“This handover underlines our commitment and that of our partners to improving the quality of live for those most in need in the north-east.”

Quantity Surveyor, Tom Leggeat who has overseen the project for Springfield, is pleased with how smoothly the venture has run:

“Each member of the partnership has remained focused on the final objective of increasing Moray’s affordable housing stock with high quality, easily maintained homes.

“Springfield had the skills and workforce in place and we work to the strict build programmes required by this type of project, so the challenge for us has been adapting our working practices to the requirements of the initiative.”

Gordon Cameron, Business Development director of Margaret Blackwood Housing Association, told us:

“The first thing to say is that our tenants are delighted with their new homes. We have another two houses at Glassgreen, designed and adapted to meet the personal needs of tenants who are disabled, being handed over in the next couple of weeks, with a further four adapted houses being built at Linkwood.

“Working with Springfield Properties, with its roots in Elgin, underlines our commitment to local businesses and ensures that the houses fit in with local styles.

“We have been impressed with the quality of the houses and with the way the partnership has performed. I hope that this can be a springboard for future development in Moray.”

These initial handovers are just a taste of things to come in Elgin with a further 59 homes due to be handed over in March 2006 at Springfield’s Linkwood development.

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This week Springfield Properties PLC is launching a competition which will harness the imagination and enthusiasm of talented young people in Moray by encouraging and rewarding entrepreneurial activity among the 16 to 30 age group.

Our message is that Moray is a place of opportunity and talent waiting to be tapped. The substantial first prize of £5000 to the person who we think is most likely to make a success of their idea or business, and the straight forward application process are sure to stimulate a ‘have a go’ attitude.

To download an application form go to makeitinmoray.co.uk

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ONLY FOUR PLOTS LEFT AT GLASSGREEN

The hugely popular development at Glassgreen is almost sold out. With just four plots remaining after a busy sales period, buyers will have to act quickly to secure a home here.
Architecturally the houses at Glassgreen draw on all the best aspects of traditional local architecture and the layout of the development has proven appealing.
Springfield Sales Manager, Joyce Napier says "Glassgreen has proven to be our most popular development to date and with more than three quarters of the homes now occupied prospective clients are getting a real feel for what the development will be like when the build programme is finished---I think this is one of the main factors that has led to a recent run of sales"


A ROTHES ROOM WITH A VIEW

Springfield Properties have recently released for sale six plots for family homes in Rothes. Offering spacious four bedroom homes in two styles, on good size plots, prices start at £149,000.
Of course the homes come with all the Springfield advantages, quality build and service, and loads of choice internally but the really big attraction of these homes is the fantastic open views across pastureland towards the River Spey. Set on the South side of Rothes , in their own cul de sac the homes have all the advantages of a tranquil setting but within the convenience of a thriving village.


FORRES LUXURY APARTMENTS

Now on the market in Forres is an attractive block of four modern luxury apartments. The Braemoray Apartments are being built to Springfields usual high standard but getting special treatment at the finishing stage with finishes from the high spec range including hard wood doors, facings and skirtings, extra standard fittings and lots of options and optional extras.
Each of the two bedroom apartments has a balcony or small patio and makes maximum use of natural light in the living area. There are off street car parking bays.
Situated on Balnageith Road the apartments are priced at £85,000 each, looking like extremely good value in the current market.

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