About Us
Bellco Beginnings
What started as two friends building differently has grown into one of Sussex and Kent’s trusted developers. At Bellco, we combine deep construction expertise with genuine transparency to create homes families are proud to live in.
Bellco Design & Build was created by two friends who wanted to do things differently. The name itself is a tribute to their first dogs, Bella and Kalico, and it reflects the original spirit of building something personal, memorable, and meaningful. From day one, Bellco has been about more than bricks and mortar. It has been about people, family, and the belief that homes should be built with honesty and care.
We set out to change the way the construction industry is seen. Too often, clients, landowners, and investors have been let down by vague promises and numbers that do not add up.
We wanted to offer something better: detailed information, clear communication, and a promise that what we say, we deliver. That commitment has never changed.
The Bellco Philosophy
We carried our philosophy into development, taking on land and creating homes ourselves. Whether it is giving landowners a realistic valuation or structuring a joint venture, our goal is always the same: to create outcomes that balance profitability with long-term community value.
Our first development was modest a small site we purchased, secured planning for, built, and sold. That project showed us the importance of controlling the entire journey and confirmed that construction is where value is won or lost. With Bellco’s roots in building, we knew we had a natural advantage.
Bellco is led by Addison Dethridge, who brings over two decades of hands-on construction experience. He started as a carpenter, progressed to high-precision joinery, and went on to lead international installations in remote parts of West Africa. Returning home, Addison built a successful carpentry business before co-founding Bellco Construction, which quickly became a respected name across the South East.
In just the past five years, we have built more than 90 homes with a combined GDV of over £30 million.
A Trusted Team
Our projects range from straightforward plots to some of the most complex schemes in the region. A milestone came during the pandemic when we stepped in to rescue a 16-unit site after the original developer collapsed. With no surveys and major planning and logistical challenges, we delivered the scheme and restored confidence for lenders and buyers alike.
Today we run with a small in-house team, strengthened by a trusted network of local trades and consultants. With deep roots in Hastings and the surrounding areas, we know the people, the soil, and the planning systems. Our long-standing relationships with architects, engineers, and surveyors allow us to assemble the right team for every project.
What sets us apart is our honesty. We do not inflate figures or over-promise to win deals.
Clear Options
We believe in recommending the right scheme for each site even if it means fewer units or a tougher conversation. Sometimes that means advising a landowner that four carefully designed homes are better than a block of flats, or that a large house does not suit a modest plot. We would rather do what is right than what is easy.
We give landowners clear options: sell outright, work with us through planning, or partner with us in a joint venture. Whatever the route, the process is transparent, collaborative, and built on trust.
Looking ahead, our goal is to deliver 30 to 40 homes each year, with the majority retained as affordable, high-quality rental properties powered by renewable technologies such as ASHP and solar. Because safe, warm, and energy-efficient homes are not luxuries they are essentials.
Bellco will not solve the housing crisis alone. But we believe small and medium developers like us can make a real difference one carefully planned, well-built home at a time.
Bellco Construction Wins Developer of the Year
We’re proud to share that Addison Dethridge of Bellco Construction has been named Developer of the Year in The Developers Club 2024 Awards.
These awards shine a spotlight on members who set the bar for excellence, innovation, and professionalism in UK property development. Receiving this recognition is a reflection of Addison’s vision, the dedication of the Bellco team, and our commitment to delivering projects that make a real difference to communities.
This award is a fantastic milestone for us, and we’re excited to continue building with the same passion, quality, and forward-thinking approach that made this achievement possible.
Get in Touch
Let’s Talk About Your Project
Whether you own land you are thinking of selling, want to invest alongside an experienced developer, or are planning work on your own home, we would like to hear about it. Honest advice, no obligation.