LOCAL MP Nadhim Zahawi has praised Great Alne-based Linfoot Country Homes for scooping a prestigious national award.

The business was named ‘Most Considerate Company in the UK’ in the £250,000 to £3.5 million turnover category of Considerate Constructors Scheme awards and was also the only house building company to be declared an overall winner.

The family firm, which has been building quality, small-scale, aesthetically sensitive developments of between five and 50 units in rural areas in the South Midlands since 1985, beat thousands of other construction companies to win the accolade.

The stringent assessment procedure saw each company marked on criteria such as the appearance of their sites, respect for the community, protection of the environment, safety and care of their workforce.

Judges praised the company’s ‘impeccable industry image’ which included smart signage, branded workwear, clean and tidy roads and smartly defined site boundaries and care for the neighbours and surrounding community.

They also remarked on the support and donations Linfoot gives to local good causes, charities, businesses and community events and its relationship with local schools.

Commending the business on its win, MP Nadhim Zahawi said: "Very many congratulations on winning such a prestigious award.

"It’s always heart-warming to see a great company in my constituency. It goes to prove that it is possible to be considerate and respectful as a business while also being successful."

Linfoot Country Homes chairman Ken Linfoot said: "We are delighted to have received a gold award at this year’s national awards ceremony and thrilled to have been declared 'Most Considerate Company'."

Managing director Claire Linfoot McLean added: "The award is a reflection of the commitment and effort of the whole team at Linfoot Country Homes to working with and respecting the communities in which we build our houses."

The latest triumph, which saw Linfoot Country Homes selected from all the gold award winners in its category as the top performing company, builds on its success in previous years – with prizes for another gold, two silvers and a bronze, plus most considerate runner up in 2015.