Case studies
The Braes at Auchterhouse
West Residential are a Dundee based housing developer whose directors have a very clear vision of where they want to position the company in the marketplace. They want their houses to be prominent as compared to the standard house builders and they are committed to including high specifications and finishes both internally and externally.
So when Andy Hart, Tobermore’s Regional Sales Executive, and Brian Wilson ,Tobermore’s Sales & Marketing Manager, set up a meeting with Directors Martin Donachie and Barry Galloway and presented the benefits of attractive hard and soft landscaping, they were to a large extent preaching to the converted.
“Within an hour we were on our way out to a new site that West Residential had commenced in an idyllic countryside location just outside Dundee. ‘The Braes’ at Kirkton of Auchterhouse is a development of 16 large detached properties with stunning views of the surrounding hills and countryside” stated Andy Hart.
The site has a number of sloping plots and there was a requirement for both retaining walls as well as attractive landscaping.
Andy explained that Tobermore had a team of experienced landscape designers who could create attractive design concepts for the site as a whole, or indeed individual plots. He also highlighted the benefits of Tobermore’s Secura Retaining Walling system.
“When Martin & Barry heard that the system was visually attractive as well as easy to build and cost effective they were very interested and we immediately arranged for an independent geotechnical engineer to visit the site and design the appropriate retaining walls as and where they were required”.
The following week, Martin and Barry accompanied Andy to N.Ireland where they visited Tobermore and a number of prestigious housing developments where Tobermore’s products and design services had been utilised previously.
“We were very impressed with the professionalism of the Tobermore team and we saw first hand how their products and services were helping Irish developers to differentiate themselves from the norm” stated Martin Donachie.
Lynn Carpenter, one of Tobermore’s designers visited Auchterhouse and was immediately excited about the potential for site.
“It is a stunning location and the sloping nature of the site offered plenty of design permutations. The first plot was one of the most challenging.”
“We were able to create an attractive split level garden, incorporating patio areas in natural sandstone and granite. Our Secura Major retaining wall system was used to terrace the back gardens which created additional outdoor space. The driveways were completed using Roma Slate paving exclusive to Tobermore. The overall effect was quite stunning and both the developer and their clients appear to be delighted with the outcome” stated Lynn.
The first houses have now been completed and are a testimony to the benefits of attractive hard and soft landscaping.
“We wanted to achieve the “wow” factor when potential buyers visited ‘The Braes’ and that is exactly what has happened” states Martin Donachie.
“From the outset we liked ‘the package’ Tobermore were able to offer and we felt they offered the best products coupled with excellent value for money, as well as a first class design service”. 
“Andy Hart worked very closely with us throughout all stages of the development and Tobermore have provided excellent customer service”.
“We were genuinely delighted with the end product and the fabulous landscaping at what is a very prestigious development.”
“Feedback from visitors has been superb and this is reflected in very strong sales and prices significantly higher than we originally projected.”
West Residential have since utilised both the Tobermore design service & products on other development sites including Glentarkie Farm and Kenmore Gardens. Indeed, Lynn Carpenter has just completed designs for a new prominent development at ‘Allanfield’ close to the world famous Gleneagles Hotel and Golf Resort in rural Perthshire.