The York Handmade Brick Company has supplied tens of thousands of bricks for a new-build housing development in Rufforth, near York.

The Alne-based manufacturer secured a £108,500 contract to provide its Handmade Texture Hambleton Blend bricks for Hawthorn Fields, a development of 21 homes. Construction on the scheme is now complete, with only one property remaining on the market.

North Yorkshire has a long-standing tradition of brick manufacturing, driven by local clay deposits, and the region's distinct architectural identity relies heavily on traditional building materials.

Ian Hessay, managing director of Mulgrave Properties, the developer behind Hawthorn Fields, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the stunning success of Hawthorn Fields. There’s no doubt that our buyers have been impressed by the exceptional build quality, which makes these houses stand out.

“We wanted our houses to be special, which is why we chose York Handmade’s bricks. The quality of the bricks and their appearance are magnificent. We are so pleased with the finished product. We wanted to fit in with the local architecture and create a bespoke product, which complemented and enhanced the village of Rufforth and I think we have achieved that.

“All but one of the houses have now been sold and I am sure their attractive appearance, enhanced by York Handmade’s bricks, played an important part in this.”

Alun Nixon of York Handmade Brick said: “It makes us incredibly proud to hear these words from a successful developer like Mulgrave Properties and it was a privilege to play a part in creating some special family homes in Rufforth. This is a stunning development, using our bricks with spectacular success. It also provides much-needed local housing and enhances the community. It is no surprise that it has been a resounding success.

“While we have recently completed some magnificent commissions for residential and commercial developments in London and other UK cities, it is vitally important that we continue to provide our bricks to more local Yorkshire developers and for self-builders.

“It is especially gratifying to see how our bricks blend in seamlessly with the quintessentially rural landscapes of a North Yorkshire village. We are deeply committed to North Yorkshire where we have been manufacturing bricks for the past 38 years, and it is a real pleasure to see our work being represented locally.”

Guy Armitage, managing director of York Handmade, added that the new-build residential sector remains a key area of growth for the company.