DEVELOPMENT
New build - Luke Rock , Steve Wilson and Tom McPartland of Rockwill Homes at the Hunters Rest development in Eaglescliffe .
TURNING DREAMS INTO BRICKS AND MORTAR
Tees firm eyes expansion as Eaglescliffe is developed
WORDS : ANDY PASSANT PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
A
leading luxury housebuilder is looking to expand as it eyes potential development sites across the Tees Valley .
Teesside-based Rockwill Homes specialises in building bespoke homes and is currently working on a 22-home development in Eaglescliffe , not far from Yarm ’ s bustling cobbled high street .
The greenfield site development at Urlay Nook Road , called Hunters Rest , offers homebuyers a selection of stylish properties ranging from three to six bedrooms and costing from £ 210,000 to £ 785,000 .
Rockwill Homes director Luke Rock said : “ We developed the site next door seven years ago which consisted of nine , muse style houses . At Hunters Rest , we have 22 houses being built , ranging from a large six-bedroom home - the largest new build in the area - to three-bedroom homes .
“ We try to make them as bespoke as possible . We go above and beyond when it comes to material and specification .
“ We put in as standard the likes of oak doors , staircases with choices of oak or glass features , while underfloor heating is now offered as standard on all our house types . We also allow a wide choice of kitchen and bathroom finishes , including a complete bespoke design service each customer can take advantage of . Granite work surfaces and second nature kitchens , along with bifolding doors , are just some of the features to our homes .
“ The benchmark we set is better than your everyday builder . A lot of people come to us having already been to the top name housebuilders .
“ Our unique selling point is we let people choose . They can be involved in the design process from the start . The exteriors are fixed , but customers can be involved in designing the interiors .”
Luke , who has a background as a surveyor , said : “ We spend the vast majority of our money on materials from a local family-run wholesaler , J . T . Atkinson . All our tradesmen are Teesside-based , none of the lads we employ are from outside the area .
“ We live in the area ourselves , so it is important for us to want to enhance that area .”
Rockwill Homes was set up by Luke ’ s dad George Rock and business partner Steve Wilson in 2011 .
Luke , 31 , who was brought up in Ingleby Barwick and went to Conyers School in Yarm , said : “ My dad was looking to retire so I have taken over .
“ Dad worked as an engineer for BT . He fancied a bit of a career change , so he learned a load of housebuilding skills from a government scheme . He quit BT and started doing extensions .
“ He is a good learner . His knowledge even surprises me now ! Steve is an electrician by trade and formed a partnership with my dad after working on various projects together .”
They started out building a single large property on a plot on Thirsk Road , Kirklevington , in 2011 . Since then , the company has continued to build its reputation and has worked on developments in Eaglescliffe , Marton , Dalton , and Neasham , Darlington .
Luke says he fully understands concerns about protecting our precious countryside , but points out that we need more homes for a growing population .
He ’ s also optimistic about the area ’ s future economic prospects .
He said : “ I would like to think that Teesside freeport is going to be a bit of a game changer . The Treasury is coming up to Darlington and Teesside Airport has come back from the dead .
“ I think it is going to be a good couple of decades for us all .”
And he says Rockwill will continue to play its part in meeting the need for housing .
Luke said : “ We are looking to expand and are always on the lookout for opportunities in or around Yarm , Middlesbrough and Teesside .
“ We want to take on more sites , build the brand and enhance our reputation . We just want to keep building quality homes that people are happy to live in and are proud to say it is a Rockwill home .”
Visit www . rockwillhomes . co . uk
96 | Tees Business