LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025 winner: Best High Volume New Housing Development

LABC is delighted to announce that the WINNER of the Best High Volume New Housing Development is Freight Village, Tyne & Wear.

The Freight Village development in Gateshead is a large-scale new housing project delivering 270 two and three-bedroom homes on a former brownfield train depot site. Sustainability is central to the scheme, with timber frame construction, high levels of insulation and an innovative district heating system powered by water from disused local coal mines. This approach significantly reduces carbon emissions while transforming a long-derelict site into a thriving new community.

The building control team from Gateshead Council demonstrated excellent communication and collaboration throughout the project. From coordinating inspections to providing support on complex technical elements, the team worked closely with the site management in a true partnership approach, helping the development progress smoothly through to completion.

The judges were unanimous in their decision on this development, describing the project as,

“turning an old train depot into a vibrant new community using new green technology such as district heating, which saw all homes heating sustainably from local decommissioned coal mines.” 

A range of categories celebrated on the night highlight the diverse portfolio of projects delivered within the industry alongside the project teams that are committed to delivering compliant and high-quality buildings for our communities.  

Full list of LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Final award winners: www.labc.co.uk/awards