Pennine Stone has become the only cast stone company to be awarded a certificate from the British Board of Agrément (BBA). The company, a leading supplier of cast stone architectural features to the UK house building industry, received the certificate for TecCast Architectural Cast Stone - incorporating the unique TecCast manufacturing process to create a range of products including window heads and cills, door surrounds and cornices. In addition to improving the appearance of properties, a 2006 survey conducted by Ipsos MORI for the United Kingdom Cast Stone Association (UKCSA), showed cast stone architectural features increased property value.

The Bridewell Park development used a number of Pennine architectural features including cills, heads and strings, Dutch gables, complex balustrading and entrance porticos.

The BBA is recognised as the leading authority for the impartial opinion on the performance of innovative building materials. Certificates are only awarded after rigorous laboratory testing, on site evaluation and inspection of the production and supply chain process. Any product with BBA certification can be specified or used with confidence.

Pennine Stone is part of the Haddonstone Group of companies and counts many of the UK’s top house builders and contractors among its clients, including Persimmon Group, Redrow Group, Bellway Homes and McCarthy & Stone (Developments).

The picture on the front page of the certificate shows Bridewell Park, a prestige development of 70 flats by Charles Church South East Ltd, part of the Persimmon Group. Persimmon was a strong supporter of Pennine’s efforts to gain Agrément certification.

Persimmon Group Chief Executive Mike Farley commented on the Bridewell Park project: “Pennine Stone is a key supply partner to the Persimmon Group and naturally we looked to them to work with us on such an involved project. We are delighted with the finished scheme which we feel showcases both companies’ capabilities.”

The certificate was awarded to Pennine by Alan Thomas, Sales and Marketing Director at the BBA. The presentation took place at the Building Centre in London on 1 May 2007.