A housing development on the outskirts of Penrith has been recognised as the best in the North West at an industry awards event.

Genesis Homes' Eamont Chase development was crowned victorious at the North West Residential Property Awards, which judged it as the best large development consisting of more than 50 homes.

Held in Manchester, the awards considered a number of major developments across the North West, which included entries from Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and Cheshire.

The 82-home Eamont Chase development came up top after all 55 homes included in the first phase of sales were either sold or reserved within a year.

The intense interest in the development led to Genesis Homes launching the second sales phase earlier than planned to cater to the strong demand.

Genesis Homes’ chief executive, Nicky Gordon, said: "Eamont Chase represents Genesis Homes’ most ambitious development since the company was founded, and we have been delighted with the popularity of the high specification homes we have created here.

“There is a remarkable team led by site manager Adrian Griffiths and assistant site manager Chris Ellis, and they have all played an integral part in the success of the development, from planning right through to the construction stage.

“The North West Residential Property Awards evening is one of the UK residential development industry’s most prestigious ceremonies, and to be awarded one of the biggest accolades is an amazing achievement for the entire Genesis Homes team and recognition that the new homes we build are of the highest quality.”

Comprised of a variety of home styles, the development includes 24 affordable homes catering to the identified need for local housing as stated in the former Eden District Council’s Local Plan.

One benefit for the community is a contribution of £316,000 from the company towards secondary school education.

Other benefits include more than 100 jobs created for local people, contractors, and subcontractors, and an estimated £12m will be spent in the local economy throughout the construction process.

The development offers a large, green public space for its residents, increased parking, and a sustainable drainage system pond that has helped improve the area’s drainage and invited wildlife back into the area.

Mr Gordon said: "As a homebuilder whose roots are very firmly in Penrith, it fills us with particular pride that we have been able to create a large housing development which brings so many positive benefits to the wider community."

Genesis Homes was also a runner-up in the Housebuilder of the Year category, won by the Vistry Group in the North West Residential Property Awards.

Eamont Chase's win is a continuation of recognition for Genesis Homes, having won three awards at the Cowgills North West Homebuild Awards in June, including Housebuilder of the Year.