Nigel Hugill: the man building houses for the work-from-home revolution

Nigel Hugill: ‘A number of people in Rugby work in London, notionally. They used to commute and there is no chance of them going back if they have a choice.’ Photograph: Richard Saker/The Observer

‘Everything in front of you didn’t exist 18 months ago.” Nigel Hugill is standing in front of a playground, gesturing past the swings and climbing frame to the park and homes behind.

It’s a sunny spring day in Houlton, just outside Rugby in Warwickshire, and residents of a large new housing development are making the most of the weather, taking their children to the playground and eating lunch at the cafe.