Builder forges ahead on £15m scheme

Hull-based Beal Homes plans to build new homes and a waterside promenade of shops and restaurants at Burton Waters, an inland marina near Lincoln.

Beal announced its plans for The Quays, which will include the final homes and nine new retail and leisure units, last year.

The company is carrying out a marketing launch before building work starts in late summer.

The Quays is expected to support around 20 construction jobs, including bricklayers, joiners and plumbers

Richard Beal, the managing director of Beal Homes, said yesterday: “As The Quays includes the final homes at Burton Waters, we already have a list of people keen for the details we are releasing today.

“The commercial offer here is also strong. With nearly 300 homes already occupied within Burton Waters’ 140 acres, and the thriving marina and Lincoln less than five miles away, there is a ready market for retailers and caterers.”

Beal Homes is also building new homes in Nettleham, near Lincoln, and at a number of locations in East Yorkshire.

The group’s plans for new homes in Wragby and a 150-home site at Waddington in Lincolnshire, are also moving forward, according to a company spokesman.

Beal is a privately-owned developer which was established more than 40 years ago.

Mr Beal has taken on the joint role of chairman and managing director of Beal Holdings, the company behind Beal Homes.

Last year, his father, John, decided to step down as chairman of the house-builder he established with his late brother, Raymond.

The brothers founded Beal Homes in 1968 with a first development of two houses and a shop in Hedon, near Hull.

Mr Beal has responded calmly to recent economic upheavals. While other firms were laying off dozens of workers, Beal Homes has focused on keeping a firm grip on costs and retaining key staff. Borrowings have also been reduced by about 20 per cent.

Mr Beal believes Beal can increase its market share.

He also expects to see growing consumer demand because of the shortage of houses.

Lincolnshire has been an area of growth for Beal – in recent years, it has done more work there than on the north bank of the Humber.

Mr Beal recently told the Yorkshire Post: “An unfortunate result of the recession was that a number of quality tradesmen have left the industry for good. You hear of joiners going to become taxi drivers.”

The loss of skilled labour is a tragedy, because house building is key to economic recovery, according to Mr Beal.

He said: “Bricklayers laying bricks creates so many other jobs down the line, from (people making) windows and doors to carpets and curtains.

“The significance should not be underestimated.”