AN Evesham firm is celebrating after being awarded five-star builder status by the Homes Builders Federation.

Bellway's staff based at Orchard Place has helped contribute to the housebuilder's success in the annual HBF customer satisfaction survey.

More than 90 per cent of Bellway purchasers across the country said they would recommend the developer to a friend last year.

This secured them the five-star status and placed Bellway among a handful of the country’s elite.

Mike Kelly, regional director for Bellway South Midlands, said: “The customer sits at the heart of our business.

"Every department, from land purchase, through to design, construction, sales and aftercare, is fully aware of their role in the journey which our customers embark on when they purchase a Bellway home.

“As we celebrate the announcement that we have secured five-star status, we are keen to share the success with people throughout the company.

"The team at Orchard Place have worked together to ensure their buyers enjoy the purchasing experience. We cannot underestimate the contribution this has made to the company’s overall success.”

Orchard Place will feature a total of 151 new homes once complete.

Site manager at Orchard Place, Chris Jarrett, said: “Every employee of every developer covets five-star status. The award is the result of close teamwork and effective communication. The team at Orchard Place are rightly proud of this achievement.

“It’s incredibly important for us to set the bar high when it comes to the quality of our work. No site is the same and we have to adapt to new challenges as the development progresses. To have such a fantastic response from our latest residents shows that the hard work is certainly paying off.”

The Customer Satisfaction Survey is conducted annually by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and the National House Building Council (NHBC) and is completed by purchasers in the weeks after they move into their new home. A five-star rating is awarded to housebuilders if over 90 per cent of its customers would recommend them to a friend.