We’re thrilled to share that Eaton Homes has been announced as the winner of the Larger Housing Scheme of the Year title at the Cowgills North West Homebuilder Awards 2026, held at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Thursday 18 June. The award recognises our £30 million development at The Old Cattle Market in Beeston, a scheme that has grown into one of the most important sites we’ve ever built.
Now in their fifth year, the Cowgills awards celebrate small and medium-sized homebuilders from across the North West. The Larger Housing Scheme category is reserved for developments of more than 25 homes, with judges looking beyond scale for schemes that respond thoughtfully to their setting rather than following a standard template.
Our 84-home development on the former Beeston cattle market site combines apartments and family homes designed with first-time buyers, downsizers and people wanting to stay in the local area in mind. Judges called Eaton Homes a genuine SME housebuilder and said the scheme was one that simply couldn’t be ignored, praising our independent approach, build quality and ambition, and noting that we’d delivered a scheme well beyond what our size might suggest.
Three phases of the development are now complete, with 92% of these homes already sold. Phase four is due to begin shortly, bringing nine further homes, three apartments and a shop to the site and marking the completion of the wider scheme.
Green space has been central to the design throughout, with between four and five acres set aside alongside 144 trees, a play area, and landscaping intended to support local biodiversity and blend naturally with the surrounding Cheshire countryside.
David Thompson, Managing Director of Eaton Homes, said: “We are absolutely over the moon. The Old Cattle Market has taken a huge amount of work from the whole team, and this award feels special because it recognises the care behind the scheme, not just the number of homes we’ve built.
“Beeston is a site with a long history, and we’ve always felt a responsibility to get it right. We wanted to create homes that feel part of the area and give people the space and quality they’d expect from a local, independent housebuilder.”
We’ve also made a point of keeping the project’s economic benefit close to home, with around two-thirds of the trades on site based within 15 miles of Beeston. Flood-risk measures, including a sewage treatment tank and water attenuation system, were built into the design from the outset, and plans for an on-site convenience shop are progressing well.
Buyer feedback has directly shaped the scheme too. We introduced a purchaser questionnaire early on and have used the responses to refine our standard specification as the development has progressed.
It was a strong night for the wider team as well, with Claudia Dickens shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry and Abbie Bass shortlisted for Rising Star of the Year.
David added: “As a small homebuilder, we stay close to every detail. Our team is based on the development, we know our buyers, and we can resolve things quickly when they need attention. That personal approach has shaped The Old Cattle Market from day one, so seeing it recognised across the North West is a great moment for all of us.”
Interested in a new build home in Beeston, Cheshire? Get in touch with our team or find out more about The Old Cattle Market development.
Find out more: learn more about Eaton Homes or see the award-winning development for yourself.
