Renowned homebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel has scooped a Homes For Scotland Design Award in the Greenfield category for the company's incomparable Bo'ness development - The Drum.

Homes for Scotland was set up just over a year and a half ago to represent the house-building industry in Scotland. The awards ceremony, the first to be held by the organisation, aims to highlight how homebuilders are making a concerted effort to integrate their developments within the existing surroundings of the areas in which they build.

Since its inception, The Drum has provided Mactaggart & Mickel with the opportunity to showcase the way in which a developer can provide an innovative approach to Greenfield housing.

Initially the former landowner, William Cadell, invited the company to submit its plans for a development that would reflect the existing characteristics of Bo'ness and not create an imbalance with the surrounding locality, as well as help to create the right environment for a micro-community to thrive.

The Drum will provide 244 new homes to the area on completion and as each new resident moves in, it is evident that the development is living up to all preceding expectations.

Mactaggart & Mickel worked with architect Wren Rutherford ASL, the company's previous partner for its award winning Homes for the Future exhibition at Glasgow Green in 1999, to create a design in harmony with Mr Cadell's vision. For example,

The layout of The Drum has pedestrian pathways leading from a central landscape around the perimeter of the development and resident parking is at the rear courts to ensure streets remain relatively car free. This has created a more natural play environment for children and gives The Drum a village feel.

The properties have been designed in a rural style to compliment the historic and pastoral background of the town. Also, the mix of homes on offer, which includes two-bedroom flats and terraced villas, one-bedroom cottages, three-bedroom detached and terraced homes, and four-bedroom detached villas, ensure that there is something for everyone be it couples, retirees, young professionals or families - a prerequisite if a micro-community is to thrive and succeed.

" Mactaggart & Mickel is delighted to be the recipient of the first ever Homes for Scotland Greenfield Award. Since the drawing board stage, we have made every effort to make certain that the design of the development and mix of properties on offer at The Drum adhere to Mr Cadell's original vision.

" However, like many of our contemporaries in the industry, Mactaggart & Mickel endeavours that all of its developments not only take into consideration the existing infrastructure and surroundings of the localities, but that the homes we provide are for the ultimate benefit the whole community - existing and new. It is encouraging that Homes for Scotland recognises the effort being made by builders by distributing these awards," said Ed Monaghan, Director.

Each release in phase one at The Drum has sold out in quick succession as homes continue to be snapped up by buyers from within the town itself, as well those eager to live in a more suburban environment, but still remain in close proximity to Edinburgh city centre.

The latest release is again indicative of the success the development continues to reap. The one-bedroom Skye cottage, priced at £79,495, and two-bedroom Oronsay, both a mid terrace and end terrace, were reserved as soon as they became available. The mid-terrace Oronsay was priced at £76,995 and the end terrace from £79, 495.

The company is set embark on the start of phase two at the beginning of June - a task that it will undertake with even more determined zeal following the recent accolade acknowledging the superb efforts made thus far to create an outstanding Greenfield development.

Mactaggart & Mickel is offering the option of a Gold or Platinum finish on each property at The Drum. The Gold finish includes double-glazing, gas central heating, a choice of kitchen and bathroom finishes, oven, hob, cooker hood and a fireplace allowance where applicable. The Platinum finish includes everything from the Gold finish, as well as the added extras of a choice of curtains, blinds and carpets throughout.

For further information on The Drum, contact Sales Consultant Deborah Smith-Campbell on 01506 826 983 or visit the sales office, open from 11am to 5pm, Thursday to Monday. For details of all Mactaggart & Mickel current developments or to register interest on future developments, contact the Direct Sales Line on 0845 600 1925.