A REDDITCH housing development is celebrating after scooping a national award.

Marlfield Farm in Church Hill was awarded the UK Housing Award for the Outstanding Development of the Year at a glittering ceremony.

The environmentally friendly £8m development is the largest closed panel low carbon timber frame housing scheme in the UK, made up of 79 homes and featuring two-eco homes.

It was completed in December 2013 and has been built with the community and local residents at its heart, with a number of large, open communal spaces for recreation and communal activities, including a village green, siting areas and an allotment area.

The development was built by the Accord Group for Redditch Co-operative Homes.

Bill Hartnett, chairman of Redditch Co-operative Homes, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award. The Marlfield Farm development is a beacon project and this award is testament to the community and the innovation that has created a fantastic, environmentally friendly neighbourhood.”

The awards recognise outstanding work by housing organisations to improve the lives of people in their communities.