A BUILDING business which recently had more than £24,000 worth of equipment stolen has seen its luck change after scooping a top development prize at a regional ceremony.

Derek Mason Developments, based in Sible Hedingham, had three expensive dumpers stolen from various sites within six months, but has now won the Best Small New Housing Development at the Local Authority Building Control Awards in Norwich.

Each submission was rated on its project’s aesthetics, sustainability, performance and special working relationships and, as a result of impressing in all those categories, Derek Mason Developments has now been entered into the national awards.

Derek Mason’s business partner Robert Hodgkins said: “It was a surprise but a wonderful achievement for everyone involved within the company.”