What House? Property and Mortgage Magazine - May 2012

What House?May 2012

New homesRegional round-ups of today’s best properties

Mortgages Another lender joins NewBuy

Affordable homes Great options on a limited budget

Exclusive interview: Karl Hick of Larkfleet Homes

Bristol fashion Where to buy in the South West’s biggest city

At Banner Homes, we believe there is more to building the home of your dreams than simply blending beautiful design with an elegant finish.Renewable energy sources such as solar thermal panels or air source heat pumps are used in many of our homes to provide cheaper hot water, reducing your carbon footprint and lowering the cost of your bills.

The result is a stunning home that you’ll love living in as much as we loved making it for you.

Be our guest, come and take a closer look.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

Discover the details yourself at bannerhomes.co.uk/takeacloserlookor call us on 0845 899 1315 to find out more

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CONTENTS

FeaturesNew homes

07 Affordable homes – Shared equity and shared ownership new-builds

11 Retirement – New-build homes aimed at retirees and older buyers

18 One to one – Interview with Karl Hick of Larkflett Group

26 What House? Awards – The best new homes in Britain

29 Focus on Bristol – why and where to look for a home in the city

33 Interiors – the antique look and Jubilee accessories

35 Mortgages – News and advice about home loans

14 Scotland

20 The North West

23 The North East

38 The Midlands

41 London

45 The South East

49 East Anglia

52 The South West

55 Wales

Cover photo: the St Nicholasgate development in Beverley, East Yorkshire from Linden Homes




TAKE A CLOSER LOOK


What House? May 2012

Welcome

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Dear house-hunter,

The government’s NewBuy initiative has attracted many headlines since its launch in March. It has certainly divided opinion within and outside of the housebuilding industry, but the Home Builders Federation’s recent announcement that some 400 homebuyers had reserved a home with the scheme in its first nine weeks suggests that it has struck a chord with a significant number of house-hunters already.

With more housebuilders coming on board to the scheme, and another major lender (Santander) introducing NewBuy mortgages to its range, there are signs that after a subdued start, NewBuy is starting to gain some traction.

If you’re hoping to find a home in the near future, NewBuy is only one of the options widely available to make new-build properties a really affordable option, whether you’re going for your first home or already own and are looking to upgrade. It’s a great

time to try to secure a quality, brand new home.

Happy house-hunting!Keith Osborne

Editor, www.whathouse.co.uk Email: [email protected]

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Genesis has launched the latest phase of new homes at its New Hendon Village development in Colindale, north-west London.

The scheme is proving popular with a range of homebuyers, including first-time purchasers

who are being offered the opportunity to secure a brand new apartment with just a 5% deposit, thanks to the FirstBuy initiative, meaning homes are available with a deposit from just £7,600.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments are set within parkland and feature either a terrace or balcony, while some two-bedroom properties feature two balconies. Prices start from £190,000, while two-bedroom apartments start from £230,000.

To qualify for FirstBuy the applicant’s household must earn less than £60,000 a year and be unable to finance a property in the area where they currently

live or work. An equity loan of up to 20% of the property price will be provided, with the remaining 80% covered by the buyer through a market rate mortgage in addition to the 5% deposit. The buyer can then purchase up to 100% equity in the property in instalments after they have moved in, or proportionally share the remaining equity of the house when it is sold at the current market rate.

New Hendon Village is part of Barnet’s ongoing regeneration, with good retail, social and transport facilities, and is located near to Colindale Underground Station, which is served by the Northern Line.

Property developer Seddon has been appointed by Worcester-based Sanctuary Housing to build up to 700 new affordable homes across the Midlands as part of a £60m contract.

The firm will construct new homes in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle under Lyme, Telford and Wrekin, Herefordshire, north Shropshire, Worcester and Cherwell by 2016.

The project is being part funded by the government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) via its Affordable Homes

Programme (AHP), designed to create in excess of 3,600 new homes across England.

Jonathan Seddon of Seddon said: “We are delighted to be working with Sanctuary to deliver much-needed new affordable homes and create job and training opportunities in local communities.

“The company has a long and successful history of apprentice recruitment and it is particularly satisfying to be starting the Sanctuary programme in 2012, the year in which we mark Seddon’s 75th anniversary of taking on apprentices.”

Sanctuary also recently appointed Keepmoat in Doncaster to develop 400 new homes in Yorkshire and Humberside as part of the HCA’s AHP scheme.

Peter Martin, Sanctuary’s group director for development, said: “These important appointments will bring a vital boost to local economies at sites across the Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, and result in the delivery of more than a thousand affordable homes by 2015.”

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Colindale, London

AFFORDABLE HOMES

The Midlands

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A planning application to develop 116 new affordable homes has been approved as part of wider plans to build up to 2,300 affordable homes in Sheffield.

The new homes scheme at Park Spring Drive in Norfolk Park will be developed by the new Sheffield Housing Company, a corporation involving the council and private housebuilders, after the proposal was approved by Sheffield Council’s city centre, south and east planning board.

The much-needed affordable homes will be built despite some objections from a small group

of residents opposed to the new properties and a proposed link road to East Bank Road.

In their report, planning officers described the planned development as a ‘well-designed and interesting scheme’.

Housebuilders are constructing a range of desirable affordable homes across Sheffield. Taylor Wimpey is currently building a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes at Emerald Green on Green Road, with prices ranging from £71,996 to £289,995, while in the rural village of Penistone, Barratt Homes is developing three- and four-bedroom contemporary new homes at Saunderson Gardens in Green Road. Prices range from £109,995 to £257,995.

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

A new mixed-use development featuring 28 a ffordable homes in the centre of Penrith has now officially opened.

Located on Kilgour Street, the £3m Penrith New Squares project, developed by Sainsbury’s and constructed by Thomas Armstrong, features a selection of two-bedroom apartments, two- and three-bedroom houses.

The affordable homes project, which is sure to appeal to a wide range of people seeking to find a property in this Cumbrian market town, has been part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

In addition to new home, the development also consists of 22 retail units, including a major Sainsbury’s supermarket. Eventually there will also be 161 new homes, including social housing managed by Riverside.

“It’s gone quite well,” Ralph Kennerley of Thomas Armstrong Construction told the press. “The project started 50 weeks ago and is finally now open.”

He added: “I think everybody that has seen the new houses likes them because they’re all different.”

Penrith, Cumbria

Dudley in the West Midlands has been named as the most affordable place

to buy a home in the UK by a new Adzuna report.

The study, which has calculated the affordability of areas by looking at average salaries for the top 50 cities in the UK and comparing them to property asking prices and typical mortgage multiples, suggests that nine out of 10 homes in Dudley are affordable for residents on average local incomes.

The Midlands performed well, with the average local couple able to afford four out of five properties in Birmingham, Dudley, and Derby.

In stark contrast, Oxford and Brighton were named the least affordable property markets, with locals priced out of buying four out of every five properties.

Despite the fact that the most expensive homes are located in London, higher than average incomes in the capital mean that the city’s housing market is only ranked 7th in the least affordable cities for homebuyers.

“While it’s clear first-time buyers in southern Britain are finding it difficult to get a foot on the property ladder, pockets of opportunity are springing up around the country for those looking to pick up a bargain,” said Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna.

Dudley, West Midlands

AFFORDABLE HOMES

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The SquareNew 1,2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments in Ealing, Greater LondonA2Dominion New HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £148,000

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Lanacre AvenueAffordable Homes in Colindale, LondonNotting Hill HousingNOW AVAILABLE from £78,000

SedonaAffordable New Homes in Lewisham, Greater LondonCircle AngliaNOW AVAILABLE from £45,000

Raphael HouseNew Homes in Ilford, Greater LondonCircle AngliaNOW AVAILABLE from £41,250

Pater CourtNew Affordable Homes in Knowle, HampshireA2Dominion New HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £64,000

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Visit our website churchillretirement.co.uk

Request a brochure on

0800 458 1839

MAINTENANCE FREE† RETIREMENT LIVING

We wish we’d done it years ago!

Now it’s your time to enjoy a new lifestyle. If you don’t think you’re ready to move to a Retirement Development, then think again. Many of our Owners say that it was the right decision to move and their only regret is that they didn’t do it sooner! So experience for yourself the Independence, Security and Peace of Mind that come with choosing a maintenance free† lifestyle.

• Solicitor’s fees PAID

• Estate Agent’s fees PAID

• Removals PAID - We will organise andbook a removal team to get you moving.

• And £5,000 for you - Helping you start your new retirement lifestyle as you mean to go on.

Move for Free and £5,000* for you!

†There is a Service Charge that takes care of all the running and maintenance costs of the building and Owners are responsible for the daily up-keep of their own apartment. *Available at selected developments. The Move for Free and £5,000 discount is available on all new reservations taken on the Selling Made Easy Service that legally complete by Friday 18th May 2012. Estate Agents fees capped at £5,000. Solicitor’s fees capped at £1,500 and is subject to using a Churchill Retirement Living panel solicitor. This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

s your time to enjoy a new lifestyle.

Developments across the South of England and

throughout the Midlands.

Specialist development Retirement Villages is offering prospective purchasers of new-build retirement property its advice on the points to consider before making a final choice With over 30 years experience,

the company is in a great position to suggest its top ten topics for consideration, having happily housed over 2,000 residents across the UK in that time.

1. Location - You may have to balance the familiarity of your current location with the desire to be closer to your family. If you’re moving to an unfamiliar area, spend plenty of time there before finally making your decision to re-locate.

2. Transport links - Even if you are currently a driver, that may not always be the case, so enquire about public transport links that are close to your prospective new home.

3. Local amenities - Your priorities will depend on your own interests, but might include sports clubs and leisure facilities, doctors, shopping, theatres or pleasant natural habitats such as countryside and coast for a pleasant stroll. Check out what is in your new neighbourhood.

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RETIREMENT

Ten things to consider for your retirement property

If you’re looking for new-build retirement property in Surrey, it may be prudent to act quickly to secure one of only two purpose-built apartments at Matthews Lodge, a development from specialist

developer Churchill Retirement Living in Addlestone.

Priced from £189,950, these two properties follow Churchill’s popular, tried-and-tested formula for retirement living property: the homes allow residents full independence if they want it, but have been designed with a number of features to help those of limited mobility and a number of extra facilities to bring peace of mind and

helpful communal amenities.

Owners at Matthews Lodge will benefit from a 24-hour emergency Careline service and security features such as a camera entry system and intruder alarm. They can also enjoy the tranquillity of the landscaped gardens and the bustle of the owners’ lounge, scene of regular coffee mornings and social events.

Addlestone, Surrey

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Matthews LodgeRetirement Living in Addlestone, SurreyChurchill Retirement LivingNOW AVAILABLE from £189,950

Denham Garden VillageNew Retirement Homes in Denham, BuckinghamshireAnchorNOW AVAILABLE from £360,000

The LaureatesRetirement Living in Leeds, West YorkshireAnchorNOW AVAILABLE from £224,950

Mitchell LodgeRetirement Living in Bitterne, SouthamptonChurchill Retirement LivingNOW AVAILABLE from £154,950

Hampton LodgeRetirement Living in Sutton, SurreyChurchill Retirement LivingNOW AVAILABLE from £224,950

Mulberry LodgeRetirement Living in Emsworth, HampshireChurchill Retirement LivingNOW AVAILABLE from £221,950

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RETIREMENT

Speak to our expert mortgage advisers today and let us help get you on the the housing ladder, even with an exisiting mortgage a free no obligation chat may get you a better mortgage by finding the right deal for you.

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What House? Mortgages

SCOTLAND

Housebuilder Bett Homes is offering new homebuyers across Scotland a range of money-saving opportunities with its newly launched ‘More Plus’ scheme. Only available at selected developments of new homes in Scotland, More

Plus offers buyers various plot- specific incentives on all sales legally completed before 31st May 2012.

These exciting incentives include a range of kitchen appliances such as a microwave and dishwasher; a choice of floor coverings throughout; blinds to all rooms; and light fittings.

The scheme also offers purchasers at participating Bett Homes’ developments the chance to benefit from a truly stress-free move, as the developer will also pay Stamp

Duty, survey fees and legal costs to a value of £1,000, as well as covering all packing and removal fees on selected plots.

As Grace Brownlow, sales and marketing director at Bett Homes, says: “The Bett Homes More Plus incentive provides homebuyers in Scotland with a fantastic opportunity to purchase the home of their dreams, complete with a wide selection of additional features, at no extra cost to them.”

Bett Homes incentives

With its breathtaking scenery and rich heritage, it’s not difficult to see why the Highlands is a desirable place to live. The area takes in a huge amount of rural land, while the city of Inverness provides

plenty of amenities for shoppers and social butterflies as well as a host of work opportunities.

Springfield Properties’ Knockomie Meadows development in Forres has something to suit everyone, from first-time buyers to those with growing families. Comprising two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom family homes, the scheme is situated adjacent to the housebuilder’s

Knockomie Rise development, which has already proved popular with buyers. Prices here range from £99,950 for a two-bedroom apartment with fitted wardrobes and an open-plan living area to £249,950 for a four-bedroom detached house with lounge, dining room kitchen/family room, en suite and garage.

Highlands

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Ayrshire has long been a popular place to live and visit and this shows no signs of waning. The recently completed M77 route has drastically cut the travel time to Glasgow, making this

area even more popular with commuters. A number of Scottish housebuilders have a host of new homes on the market for buyers looking to find a property in the west of Scotland.

Situated in Kilwinning, Barratt Homes’ Grangewood development offers four-bedroom townhouses as well as two- and three-bedroom houses from the company’s Aspirations collection. Suitable for growing

families and downsizers alike, the homes here have a contemporary feel and are close to a choice of both primary and secondary schools. Prices range from £155,995 for a three-bedroom end terrace house with family dining area, parking space and en suite, to £176,995 for a four-bedroom townhouse with garage and breakfasting kitchen.

Ayrshire

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People’s perception of the housing market is starting to regain a more positive vibe at the moment and the northeast of Scotland is leading the way. Recent figures from the Bank of Scotland show that house prices in three coastal towns in the area have more than doubled since 2004. The biggest rises were seen in Macduff and Fraserburgh,

which both saw house prices go up by a whopping 123%.In Cove Bay, that figure was 105%. In a climate where some buyers are concerned about ending up with negative equity, it is reassuring that homes are not only retaining their worth but are increasing in value. Scottish housebuilders in the area have a variety of properties on the market that would make an ideal investment.

In Macduff, five plots in three different styles remain available at Springfield Properties’ Golf View development of four-bedroom homes. Prices start from

£194,000 for the ‘Beauly’ house type with open-plan lounge, dining room and kitchen, a utility room and integral garage. The ‘Tulchan Coastal’ design is priced from £249,500 and includes a downstairs shower room, master bedroom with en suite bathroom and a Jack & Jill en suite to two of the other bedrooms. The third house type is the ‘Culbin 4 Detached’, which costs £249,950 and features a dining room and formal lounge as well as an open-plan kitchen and family area.

Northeast coast

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SCOTLAND

LongacreNew Homes in Longacre, EdinburghCala HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £310,000

Queen Margaret GroveNew Homes in Clerwood Terrace, EdinburghCala HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £495,000

Laird’s GateNew Homes in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK, StewartonStewart Milne HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £152,000

Patterton CourtNew Homes in Newton MearnsStewart Milne HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £188,000

Wellshaw GroveNew Homes in Millar Grove, HamiltonCala HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £362,000

Route 1 WestNew Houses in Anniesland, GlasgowSpringfieldNOW AVAILABLE from £249,995

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Where is your firm developing new homes?

Larkfleet Homes has housing developments across the east of England and East Anglia. Locations in these regions where Larkfleet currently has developments include Oakham in Rutland, Deeping St James and Bourne in Lincolnshire and Eye in Peterborough.

What types of properties are Larkfleet Homes building?

Larkfleet builds a wide variety of high-quality homes that meet the needs of first-time buyers, commuters, expanding families, those looking to downsize and even those wanting to join age exclusive retirement communities. Larkfleet properties range from one to five-bedroom

properties and include apartments, bungalows, cottages and stylish semi-detached, terraced and detached homes.

How much does a Larkfleet home cost to buy?

Prices of Larkfleet properties vary depending on the location and size of home. Larkfleet’s Abbeyfields development, for example, comprises two- and three-bedroom properties with prices starting at just £125,000 to £174,995. House prices at the exclusive StableYard development in Oakham start at £234,995 for a three-bedroom property that also includes a home office. Through Larkfleet’s many schemes and initiatives, the company aims to assist homebuyers as much as possible in buying a Larkfleet property.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Group, speaks exclusively to whathouse.co.uk’s news editor Marc Da Silva.

ONE TO ONE

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What makes a Larkfleet home stand out from the crowd?

Larkfleet Homes is leading the way in reducing the ‘carbon footprint’ of new homes, building houses for sale that are more energy-efficient than those of any other builder operating in the same area. Its mission is to produce high quality sustainable developments using innovative technology and construction methods, delivered to exceed customers’ expectations.

Is your company currently offering any incentives or discounts to homebuyers?

Larkfleet understands that buying a property is a huge investment and can be a financially stressful time. To help its homebuyers, Larkfleet has developed many schemes and initiatives to make buying a home that little bit easier. Larkfleet’s suite of Ezy initiatives, for example, includes Ezy-exchange (part exchange), Ezy-move (helping to sell a home), Ezy-share (shared equity) and several others.

Which Larkfleet development potentially offers the best property investment prospects?

The close proximity of Larkfleet properties to London means the area is ideal for professionals who travel to the capital on a daily basis. Professionals who rent a Larkfleet property can benefit from the convenient transport links to London as well as the rest of the country. Larkfleet’s development in Eye, near Peterborough is only approximately 30 miles from Cambridge, home to Cambridge University, regularly ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world.

What is Larkfleet’s USP to buyers?

Larkfleet has an enviable reputation for producing high-quality sustainable developments using innovative technology and construction methods, delivered to exceed its customers’ expectations. Larkfleet believes that other builders in the area simply cannot offer the same added

value that its focus on energy-efficiency provides customers.

As a local housebuilder, Larkfleet has a great knowledge of its development locations and offers high-quality homes in fantastic locations where homeowners can enjoy rural living whilst still having access to excellent transport links around the country.

Has Larkfleet Homes ever won a What House? Award?

Larkfleet Homes won a Silver What House? Award in 2009 for its sustainable development practices. The company is also entering the Best Retirement Development category of the awards this year. The entry will focus on the The Spinney, a development of high-quality, modern homes for people over 55 years of age in Yaxley, near Peterborough.

Click here to view current Larkfleet Homes developments

NORTH WEST

Astley, WiganBen Bailey Homes is celebrating the receipt

of an award from Wigan Council for its Gin Pit Village scheme, which is providing a range of new homes in Greater Manchester. The Council has just named the scheme Best Housing Development, providing a feather in the cap

of the housebuilder, which has a number of developments underway at present across the north of England.

Ben Bailey Homes’ site manager at Gin Pit Village, Martin Sharkey, says: “We are delighted that Gin Pit Village has been recognised by Wigan Council as the Best Housing Development by a large developer at the 2012 Building

Excellence Awards. The award is testament to the standard and attention to detail of every Ben Bailey Homes property. We have a fantastic

team of employees working at Gin Pit Village and having the development recognised independently is a fitting reward for the professionalism and effort of everyone involved.” MORE

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Housebuilder Mulbury Homes is hoping to increase the supply of new homes in Blackburn after submitting a planning application to develop 16 affordable homes in the town. The developer wants to replace former flats site in North Road with the affordable homes, on behalf of housing association Great Places Housing Group, as part of a £1.5m development.

The proposed scheme on a site opposite the recently completed Valley Lane development would feature a collection of two- and three-bedroom homes. If the scheme is approved, building work would begin in the summer, with a view to completing the new homes, which will be funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), in mid-2013. Four of the properties would be available for shared ownership and the remaining 12 homes for affordable rent.

Greg Mulligan, a director of Mulbury Homes, commented:

“This development will bring new affordable housing to North Road, complementing other housing regeneration work in the area. We are working closely with Great Places and the local authority to ensure we deliver desirable housing that meets the needs of the local area.”

Stephen Porter, chief executive of Great Places Housing Group, added: “We’re excited to get up and running with this project. North Road is a great location for families and these new affordable homes will be a fantastic addition to the area.”

Blackburn, Lancashire

The DeckNew Homes in Mersey Road, RuncornTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £70,950

Ramsden CloughNew Homes in Ramsden Wood Road, WalsdenBovis HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £199,995

Byron BankNew Homes in Celia Street, BlackleyTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £99,995

Westminster PlaceNew Homes in Longshaw Street, WarringtonBovis HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £79,995

The WayNew homes for sale Beswick, Greater ManchesterLovell HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £149,995

Farrington ParkNew Homes in Farrington Park , ChorleyStewart Milne HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £177,950

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On the go but looking to move?

whathouse.co.ukThe best new homes in Britain

It’s now easier than ever to check out the latest new homes developments around Britain on the move, thanks to the new free app from whathouse.co.uk, the UK’s most trusted new homes portal.Available for iPhone, iPad and Android, you can check out the details of thousands of new-build homes and new affordable homes from a wide range of housebuilders in Britain. You can now tap in your criteria on your mobile device and instantly get information on prices, plots and special offers, look at pictures and plans of the homes you like and find their location on a map.Wherever you are, and wherever you want to be, your search for a new home just got easier with the free whathouse.co.uk app. Download it today.

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Housebuilder Bett Homes has unveiled a selection of new show homes across four of its north-east new-build developments. The developments, in Stanley, Easington Lane, Seaton Delaval and Birtley, offer a range of three- and four-bedroom homes and something to please those looking for new homes in Newcastle and the surrounding area.

All these show homes boast Bett Homes’ new specification, which is available as standard on all new properties being built at the developments in 2012 and will not cost purchasers any extra. The new specification was developed following extensive customer research to find out exactly what people want from a new home and has ensured the developer’s latest specification provides an enhanced combination of form and functionality.

A total of five new show homes have been opened, one at Derwent View in Stanley, one at Pemberton Walk in Easington Lane, one at Nursery Gardens in Seaton Delaval, and two at Inspire in Birtley.

NORTH EAST

New show homes near Newcastle

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Linden Homes has just celebrated the official opening of the first street at its St Nicholasgate development in Beverley. Guest of honour Cllr Peter Astell, the town’s mayor, cut the ribbon in front of a select audience including Linden Homes employees and some of the first residents of these new homes in East Yorkshire.

Linden Homes’ connections and marketing manager Gizzy Murray says: “The development has created a real buzz about the town from its early days, and it continues to do so. The street scene is the latest in the development’s progress and we

were delighted that the mayor was able to join us to see St Nicholasgate truly taking shape.”

St Nicholasgate is providing 130 new homes in Beverley, a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom home styles that is proving its appeal to a wide range of homebuyers in the area, from single first-time purchasers to growing families. Homes on the current phase are priced from £149,950 to £249,950. Linden Homes is offering a range of incentives at the development, including part exchange, FirstBuy and the Linden Assist scheme to help those moving home.

Beverley, East Yorkshire

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NORTH EAST

Brunton VillageNew Homes in Great North Park, NewcastleTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £179,995

NorthshoreNew Homes For Sale in Stockton-on-Tees, YorkshireLovell HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £126,500

Howden GreenNew Homes in Railway Street, Howden Le Wear, Crook, County Durham Linden HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £139,995

Clarence CourtNew Homes in Land Off Murton Lane, Houghton Le SpringTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £79,995

MoorcroftNew Homes in Grayson Road, SpennymoorTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £129,995

Holmes MeadowNew Homes in Coupland Road, SelbyBovis HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £114,995

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Speak to our expert mortgage advisers today and let us help get you on the the housing ladder, even with an exisiting mortgage a free no obligation chat may get you a better mortgage by finding the right deal for you.

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What House? Mortgages

Much like the Oscars, which recognises excellence in the film industry, the What House? Awards, the longest established in the new homes industry, is recognised as the most prestigious prize by UK housebuilders. Unfortunately, while the Oscars invariably influence which movies we watch and buy, the What House? Awards do not always have the same buying impact. Many house-hunters are not aware that the What House? Awards act as a kitemark, a certificate of excellence offering buyers

peace of mind when it comes to purchasing the best new homes in Britain. But we plan to change this.

Over the next few weeks, WhatHouse.co.uk will be talking to past and potential future winners of the Awards and focusing on specific categories and short-listed entries.

Now in their 31st year, the What House? Awards, judged by property journalists and architects, reward housebuilders and housing associations large and small across 21 categories for outstanding

achievements within the industry, from being leaders in sustainable development to setting precedents in innovation and design.

The annual awards ceremony takes place in November at Grosvenor House Hotel in London and is attended by around 1,000 of the UK’s housebuilding elite.

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What House? Awards – Housebuilder of the Year 2011

Marc Da Silva continues his look at the winners of the prestigious What House? Awards 2011

Housebuilder of the Year

United House Developments won six awards at the What House? Awards 2011, including the most prestigious prize – Housebuilder of the Year.

After receiving the housebuilding industry’s top award at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel last November, Jeffrey Adams, group chief executive of the United House Group, said: “Housebuilder of the Year is the ultimate accolade and we are delighted that the quality of our homes

and our ability to deliver an exciting and diverse portfolio have been recognised. We have a highly talented and dedicated team at United House Developments who take a bespoke approach to external design and interior specification.” The company was also named Best Medium Housebuilder and won two gold awards, in partnership with LondonNewcastle, for its Arundel Square development in Islington for Best Exterior Design and Best Landscape Design; silver for Best Apartment at Central St Giles, the Renzo Piano development in Covent Garden; and bronze for Best Partnership Scheme for its regeneration and delivery of new homes with Hounslow Council and Hounslow Homes in Beavers Lane, Hounslow.

Adams added: “Our developments are characterised by outstanding architecture, meticulous attention to detail and a real environmental agenda. Our schemes are delivered by a highly skilled in-house construction team who are in control and committed to creating the very best developments.”

The Fold in Sidcup, Kent, one of United House’s current developmets

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The United House team celebrate their What House?

Housebuilder of the Year crown at the 2011 Awards

BristolFocus on

Bristol offers excellent transport links across the South West and to South Wales, while Birmingham is about an hour and a half’s drive away, and London about two hours.

Roads: Bristol is linked by road on an east-to-west axis from London to West Wales via the M4 motorway. On a north–southwest axis it’s connected from Birmingham to Exeter via the M5 motorway. The M49 motorway provides a shortcut between the M5 in the south and the M4 Severn Crossing in the west, while the M32 is a short motorway off the M4 leading to Bristol city centre.

Trains: Bristol has two main railway stations. Bristol Temple Meads is the most centrally-located station, about a 10-15 minute walk from the city centre. It offers local and regional services to cities such as

Bath and Cardiff, as well as regular high speed trains to London Paddington and many cross-country trains. Bristol Parkway is situated north of the city centre, offering mainly high speed services between Cardiff and London, and cross-country services to Birmingham and the North East.

Buses: The new Bristol Bus Station provides intercity, regional and cross-country services, with London just a couple of hours away.

Air travel: Bristol Airport is the ninth busiest airport in the UK, handling nearly six million passengers a year, mainly on European routes. It’s located on the A38, eight miles south of Bristol city centre, with Bristol International Flyer coach services A1 and A2 providing links to and from the centre, calling at Bedminster, Bristol Temple Meads railway station, and Bristol Bus Station.

Transport

House buyers searching for a new build home in Bristol have a superb range of developments to choose from in the city and its suburbs. From contemporary urban apartments and starter homes to large, detached houses for growing families, Bristol’s new-build property developments will appeal to a wide range of buyers and budgets. Rebecca Burns reports.

(c) Destination Bristol

Ranking

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Name of School

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School

St Barnabas Church of England VC Primary School

Waycroft Academy

Avonmouth Church of England School

Ashley Down Junior School

Fonthill Primary School

St Bonaventure’s Catholic Primary School

Knowle Park Primary School

Woodstock School

Millpond Primary School

Location and postcode

Tide Grove, BS11 0PA

Montpelier, BS6 5LQ

Stockwood, BS14 8PS

Avonmouth, BS11 9LG

Horfield, BS7 9PD

Southmead, BS10 5SW

Bishopston, BS7 8HP

Knowle Park, BS4 2XG

Henbury, BS10 7AH

Baptist Mills, BS5 0YR

KS1-2 CVA

103.2

102.4

102.1

102.0

101.9

101.9

101.

101.8

101.3

100.7

Ranking

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Name of School

Bristol Grammar School

Clifton High School

Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital

Colston’s School

St Bede’s Catholic College

Badminton School

Clifton College

The Red Maids’ School

Colston’s Girls’ School

John Cabot Academy

Location and postcode

City Centre, BS8 1SR

Clifton, BS8 3JD

Clifton, BS18 1JX

Stapleton, BS16 1BJ

Long Cross, BS11 0SU

Westbury on Trym,

BS9 3BA

Clifton, BS8 3JH

Westbury on Trym,

BS9 3AW

Montpellier, BS6 5RD

Kingswood, BS15 8BD

%age

100

100

100

99

99

98

98

98

96

96

With two universities and thriving new media, defence and aerospace industries, Bristol is the south west’s main centre of employment and education. It also boasts a vibrant cultural calendar; great shopping, including the gleaming new Cabot Circus shopping centre; and its own international airport. The beautiful city of Bath is right on its doorstep, while Cardiff is only an hour away by road or rail, and London and Birmingham are both within a couple of hours’ drive.

* measured by KS1-2 Contextual Value Added Score i.e. the relative effectiveness of the school’s progress between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, in 2011. Source: www.dcsf.gov.uk

** measured by published percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C, in 2011. Source: www.dcsf.gov.uk

Education

Best primary schools in Bristol*

Best secondary schools in Bristol**

HealthcareBristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC): Provides a local service for Bristol children and a referral service for specialist care for families across the south west and nationally.

Bristol Royal Infirmary: A teaching hospital with close links to Bristol University, providing Accident and Emergency services, acute medicine and surgery, critical care, trauma and orthopaedic care.

University of Bristol Dental Hospital: A Centre of Excellence providing routine and specialist clinical dental services for the south west.

St Michael’s Hospital: Provides a range of city centre services including maternity, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) and clinical genetics.

Bristol Eye Hospital: One of the country’s leading eye specialist hospitals, with 24 ophthalmic consultants supported by a wide range of staff.

Frenchay Hospital: A large, general hospital on the north east outskirts with an Accident and Emergency department and specialist services including plastic surgery, spinal surgery and neurosciences.

Southmead Hospital: A large, expanding general hospital, situated in the northern suburbs of Bristol.

Bristol Heart Institute: A new £61m hospital providing a full primary angioplasty service and comprehensive adult congenital cardiac service.

To get you started, some of Bristol’s popular residential areas for house-hunters include:

• Bristol Harbourside: Perfect for trendy urban living in pleasant, contemporary waterfront apartments close to all of the city centre’s shops and entertainment. Mainly appealing to young professionals.

• Clifton: Just a couple of miles from the city centre and close to Clifton Down, this is one of Bristol’s most affluent, leafy and desirable suburbs, home to lovely Georgian architecture, trendy cafés

and boutique shops, with Clifton Down railway station offering services to Bristol Temple Meads.

• Southville: A pleasant, lively suburb that is popular with young families, has excellent local amenities and plenty going on, and is situated within walking distance of the city centre.

• Bedminster: Another conveniently central suburb with excellent bus services, its own railway station linking Bristol Temple Meads, plenty of primary schools for families, and a number of public parks.

LeisureJust a few of the top places to visit in Bristol include:

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol Aquarium

Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Clifton Downs

At-Bristol

M Shed

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Harbourside

• Horfield: Ideal for families, Horfield is situated about five miles from the city centre with its own excellent set of shops and amenities, superb bus links to the centre, and a leisure centre with a 25-metre swimming pool.

• Emersons Green: Ideal for commuters, this suburb of north Bristol has good local amenities, offers easy access to the M32 and M4, and is just six miles form Bristol city centre and 10 miles from Bath.

• Westbury on Trym: This northern suburb less than five miles from the city centre has a village-like atmosphere, plenty of local schools (including the prestigious independent school, Badminton) and its own high street shops, restaurants, banks and other facilities. Ideal for easy access to the A4018, running from the city centre to Cribbs Causeway, Westbury is also on a good range of bus routes.

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INTERIORS

Antique revival

by Elizabeth Bishop elizabethbishopinteriordesign-kent.co.uk

Although your new home is oozing contemporary in style and offers many additions that older properties do not, if you have a passion for older items in respect of furnishing your home, the look can still be achieved in keeping with the contemporary element.

In general, antiques automatically give an impression of stately homes and, secondly, an expensive price tag. But an antique does not have to look old and brown or cost the earth to be of decorative value.

Starting with the retrospective look, ranging from the 1920s to the 80s, there are some exciting items out there to bring a touch of nostalgia into your new home. Retro Antiques (retroantiques.co.uk) located in the West Midlands offers an Aladdins’ cave of antiques to cater for all rooms in your new home. Items range from Coca Cola signs, which can act

as a main feature on a kitchen or dining room wall, to art deco mirrors, which will work wonderfully in a bedroom when complemented by the colours of the era. Silvers, glass and soft pastels are the way to go if this look appeals and can also be combined with this season’s trend of metallics and greys, creating an eclectic style, mixing the old with the new.

Other trends include high-backed and winged-back furniture such as armchairs, sofas and beds, and items that are inspired by nature, such as natural wood furniture. A website which is worth a serious look if you want an item with a difference is 1stdibs.com, for a selection of antiques from different eras. Items include art deco globes, which can be used as room decoration or as a feature on your staircase.

There are also pieces available that portray the antique look

even though they are not. This may appeal to you if you are not looking for an investment, but simply wanting the look of something that is a little worn. Made.com offers ‘retro’ items which are in style but are bought as new. Take a look at the Peacock Arte chair in meadow and cobalt velvet priced at £299: a stunning item for a lounge or study and wonderfully in trend.

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INTERIORS

1.Union jack bunting (3 metres), £24.99 notonthehighstreet.com 2.‘Keep Calm’ tapestry set, £50 johnlewis.com 3.Union jack footstool, £145 notonthehighstreet.com 4.Union jack trunks (set of 3), £70 matalan.co.uk 5.Vintage union jack coffee table, £188 crackingdesign.co.uk 6.Jubilee stamp rug, from £745 stamprugs.com 7.Vintage union jack wing back chair, £598.80 vintagerepro.co.uk

1

2 3 4

5 6 7

ubilee Jaccessories

If you’re looking for a mortgage you’ve probably looked at the pros and cons of fixed- and variable-rate deals. But, have you considered the various different types of variable-rate mortgage that are available? Variable-rate mortgages typically come in two types: tracker rates and discounted variable rates. To help you work out which type of deal might be best for you, we’ve put together this simple guide.

Tracker mortgage rates are designed to follow a certain central interest rate. Most tracker rate deals follow the Bank of England base rate, although some follow other rates such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).

Quite simply, a tracker rate mortgage will go up and

down as the underlying rate changes. For example, if you currently have a tracker rate at 2% over the Bank of England base rate, your mortgage rate will be 2.5%, as the base rate is 0.5%. If the base rate rose to 1%, your mortgage rate would rise to 3%. Many people like tracker rates as they are transparent and you know exactly what you will pay.

A discounted variable rate works in a similar way to a tracker rate but there is one crucial difference. Instead of your mortgage rate being linked to a central interest rate, it is linked to the standard variable rate (SVR) of your mortgage lender.

Discounted and tracker mortgages

NewBuy mortgages from SantanderSantander has launched a range of NewBuy mortgages, offering homebuyers 95% loan-to-value (LTV) deals on new homes from Barratt Homes, Berkeley Homes, Persimmon and Bovis Homes. The lender is the latest to sign up to the government-back scheme, which was launched in March 2012 to help house-hunters purchase new-build apartments and houses for sale in England for up to £500,000, with a 5%-deposit loan.

The company’s range of NewBuy mortgages includes a number of 95% LTV, fixed-rate loans available on sums from £6,000 to £475,000, with a low £99 fee, free valuation and £250 cashback on completion:

3-year fixed at 5.49% 5-year fixed at 5.49% 7-year fixed at 5.99%

“Santander is delighted to be joining the NewBuy scheme and has launched a range of competitively priced products with low upfront fees which reflect our commitment to NewBuy and customers, particularly first time buyers looking to get a start on the housing ladder,” says Phil Cliff, director of Santander Mortgages. “The range will have wide appeal and is designed to meet the needs of both first-time buyers looking to buy their first home and existing homes owners who are considering moving house.”

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MORTGAGES

MIDLANDS

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Buying a brand-new home need not be a financial strain, as one Shropshire couple recently discovered. Amanda Hughes and Simon Mottram secured their first house with just a 5% deposit at Taylor Wimpey’s Forest Glen development of new-build homes in Telford.

The couple had been living apart with their respective parents while they struggled to save for a deposit on their first home, but thanks to the FirstBuy scheme at Forest Glen, Amanda, 37, and Simon, 32, are now just weeks away from picking up the keys to their

very own place. FirstBuy allows qualifying first-time buyers to access selected properties at Forest Glen for just 80% of their full price - including a 5% deposit, subject to status.

“I heard about FirstBuy while looking online for properties in Telford,” says Amanda, a sales representative. “I then called Taylor Wimpey and asked one of their sales executives to explain the scheme to me. It sounded perfect, so I booked an appointment to view the plans and properties at the Forest Glen development.”

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Wombourne, StaffordshireMidlands-based housebuilder Banner Homes has been granted planning permission to construct three large detached homes in the village of Wombourne¸ south Staffordshire.

Situated on Bearnett Lane, the five-bedroom homes will each measure around 3,000sqft, and will feature large kitchen/family room, separate living and dining area, as well as a TV room and study. The new homes will also have large gardens. Work is expected to start on site imminently.

Mark Booth, regional director for Banner Homes Midlands comments, “ This latest acquisitions signal Banner Homes’ continuing investment in new opportunities. In 2011 Banner achieved a record breaking year with 39 new development opportunities having exchanged contracts. This success follows on from two previously buoyant years, with 28 new sites exchanged in 2010 and 35 new sites in 2009.”

Banner Homes has been building new homes since 1975 and operates three regional divisions, Central, Southern and Midlands, which gives the company coverage of the whole of the southern half of England.

Banner Homes says that it is continuing to search for new land opportunities in order to increase the supply of new homes throughout southern England and the Midlands.

Telford, Shropshire




TAKE A CLOSER LOOK


MIDLANDS

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New homes at Ampthill Heights in Bedfordshire are proving a “real hit” with homebuyers, including first-time purchasers, according to Vanessa

Macnee, sales director of the housebuilder Bloor Homes.

Buyers at Ampthill Heights, Bloor Homes’ exclusive collection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses, are finding that with Bloor’s HomeStart scheme they can secure a new home for an initial 90% of its purchase price. Under the HomeStart initiative, buyers finance 90% of the property now and have 10 years to pay the remaining 10% of the purchase price. The attraction to buyers being they have the opportunity to secure a home

with a smaller deposit while owning 100% of the property.

When complete, Ampthill Heights will feature a total of 105 family homes, including townhouses and detached properties. Property prices at Ampthill Heights start from £227,950 but with the HomeStart initiative, purchasers can secure the property for £205,155. The remaining £22,795 can be paid at any time during the following 10 years which, if broken down on a monthly basis, would be £189.95 a month.

Taylor Wimpey in Nottinghamshire

Taylor Wimpey has an impressive range of new-build homes for sale in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands, including apartments and family houses - many of which are within easy commuting distance of the thriving county city of Nottingham.

In the attractive village of Ravenshead, about 10 miles from Nottingham, Chaworth Gardens is ideal for first-time buyers and families, with a collection of two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses priced from £96,796 to £120,995. Selected plots are available through the Government-backed FirstBuy scheme. The village is a sociable community, home to several shops and pubs, a leisure centre, and two excellent primary schools, while there’s a secondary school in the neighbouring village of Rainworth.

In the village of Rainworth itself, Rufford Grange is made up of a blend of three- and four-

bedroom homes priced from £114,396 to £187,995. Again, the village is well equipped to cater for residents’ everyday needs, while there are further schools and amenities in the nearby larger town of Mansfield. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Rufford Grange is close to Sherwood Forest, the Peak District, and lovely Newstead Abbey for leisure time, while commuters benefit from being close to the M1 and within easy reach of the A1 from Newark.

Ampthill, Bedfordshire

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Fernley ParkNew Homes in Baxendale Road, Off Eastbourne Road, UckfieldLinden HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £259,995

Orchard ChaseNew Homes in Gullet Lane, LeicesterCala HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £575,000

Priory ParkNew homes for a sale in Dudley, West MidlandsLovell HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £81,600

Heritage GardensNew Homes in Upper Church LaneRedrow HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £184,995

Mill HillNew Homes in Mallow WayRedrow HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £109,995

Mill GreenNew Homes in Mill Green, MarpleStewart Milne HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £211,950

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An exceptional new arrivalAn exclusive collection of nine exquisite 4/5 bedroom London homes considerately designed to reflect the Victorian style architecture prevalent to the Telegraph Hill Conservation Area. This, combined with elegant modern interiors, ensures St Catherine’s Place is the perfect address to call home.

Prices from £975,000.

Weekend LAunCH Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April 11am – 4pm

Show Home & Sales Suite Emmerson House, St Catherine’s Place, Jerningham Road, Telegraph Hill, London SE14 5NJ (SAT NAV REF) Call 020 3326 1550 to book your appointment or to request further information.

www.stcatherinesplace.co.uk

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

Computer generated image of St Catherine’s Place is indicative only.

LONDON

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Across the UK, the London property market was the only part of the country to see prices rise in April, albeit at the slowest rate since the middle of 2011, according to the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey.

While home prices are falling across much of the UK, regional declines are being counterbalanced by capital growth in London.

A shortage of new homes coming onto the market has created pent-up demand, with an excess of demand over supply especially

in Prime Central London.

But while the city’s super prime property markets look solid, the city’s second-tier markets continue to go from strength to strength.

Ingrid Skinner of housebuilder Taylor Wimpey recently said:

“Boroughs such as Highbury and Islington, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham can be seen to be prudent investments. Entry level pricing is lower and rental demand continues to be strong.”

Property prices

Housebuilder Barratt Homes has launched No 1 The Plaza, a new 27-storey residential tower in Bromley-by-Bow.

Comprising183 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as one-bedroom suites, No 1 The Plaza is the penultimate phase of the St Andrews development which is formed of a series of striking buildings from three to 27 storeys. Prices start at £198,000 for a one-bedroom suite.

Offering a variety of new homes, many of the apartments at No 1 The Plaza have a balcony or terrace, with views over London’s cityscape, looking

out onto Olympic Park, Canary Wharf and beyond.

The development is located a short distance to the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the City and it is surrounded by commuter links, including Bromley-by-Bow tube station.

No 1 The Plaza, inspired by the Manhattan lifestyle, will also feature retail units including a grocery store, likely to be Sainsburys, with a proposed coffee shop and health clinic, as well as a 24-hour concierge service and a private residents’ 2,500sqft gym.

Bromley-by-Bow

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Housing association London and Quadrant (L&Q) has been given planning consent to build over 300 new homes in Walthamstow, after planning officers at Waltham Forest Council recommended the north-east London scheme be approved.

The new homes and a leisure complex will be built at Grade II listed Walthamstow Stadium in east London. The famous landmark hosted greyhound racing for 75 years, with the last race held in 2008.

Plans include the construction of around 300 new homes, including 20% affordable homes, which is significantly below the council’s guidelines stating that 50% of new homes should be affordable. Of the homes, 234 will be for private sale, 36 for shared ownership and 24 four-bedroom homes will be let under the government’s

affordable rent programme. New allotments and public spaces will also be built.

The plans, which have been revised following a public consultation and comments from the Greater London Authority, will still need to be approved by Mayor of London Boris Johnson. L&Q will now be required to pay £3.8m under the section 106 planning agreement, which is considered to be the ‘maximum that can be reasonably achieved having regard to other development considerations and costs’, according to planning officers.

Walthamstow

CALA Homes has released the first homes for sale at The Chase, the latest phase of properties at the company’s Ickenham Park development in the London Borough of Hillingdon. This new

gated scheme with feature 14 five- and six-bedroom detached houses for sale with a superb specification, that will appeal to executive family buyers hoping to find a property in one of London’s greenest boroughs.

“We are delighted to be able to release for sale some of the best new homes in the best location of our Ickenham Park development, which is one of our best selling in the UK,” says Alison Deakin, sales and marketing director of CALA Homes (South).

The ‘Pittock’, covering 2,909 sq ft and priced £1m, and ‘Gallier’,

a £1.15m home with 3,294 sq ft of accommodation, are two of the three-storey house types that feature six bedrooms and an integral double garage. At the heart of each is an open-plan kitchen with stylish island work units and generous dining/family area for informal meals and everyday living, with a separate utility room. The standard specification includes zoned underfloor heating, granite work surfaces and a range of high-quality appliances.

Ickenham

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LONDON

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Caspian Wharf - Tasman Court, Bow, London E31 Yeo StreetBerkeley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £365,000

St Catherines SquareNew Apartments in Raynes Park, London SW20Bewley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £199,950

75 Leman Street, London E1Near 75 Leman StreetBerkeley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £520,000

Canal View @ Grand Union VillageNew Homes in Sales Office, Grand Union Marketing Suite, LondonTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £157,500

Royal Arsenal Riverside - The Warehouse, No.1 Street, Woolwich, London SE18Warehouse Court, No.1 StreetBerkeley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £252,500

MildmayNew flats for sale in Islington, LondonLovell HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £245,000

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Creating beautiful showhomesfrom concept to completion

How Lane Farm, White Waltham, Berkshire SL6 3JP

tel 0118 932 0828www.aji.co.uk

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SOUTH EAST

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For those looking at new homes in West Sussex as a first property, there are many choices currently available. West Sussex enjoys excellent transport links, with the M23 linking directly to Gatwick Airport and good rail and road links to London and beyond. Popular with commuters and with those wanting to enjoy the quiet and countryside, the bustling market towns and picturesque villages of West Sussex offer a lifestyle to suit everyone.

Taylor Wimpey has recently opened show homes at its

developments in Pulborough and Hambrook. Newly released plot 51 at The Ridings, Pulborough is a two-bedroom apartment with its own private front door and garage. Priced at £199,995, the property offers two good-sized bedrooms, and contemporary kitchen and bathroom with modern fittings. Also available are a range of properties at Lion Park, Hambrook, with prices from £175,000.

Situated near the village of Hambrook, and close to Nutbourne rail station, the ‘Lapwing’ coach house is a two-bedroom home, priced from £182,000, with a spacious open-plan living area, well-appointed bathroom, a separate study and a convenient car port.

Starter homes in West Sussex

As sales of townhouses have progressed quickly at its Nascot Grange development in Watford - with an average of

one property a week being sold since launch in October 2011 - housebuilder CALA Homes has seen a big take-up of its part exchange assistance scheme at the development. It seems many homebuyers are happy to make the most of the company’s offer to act as cash buyer for their old home when they upgrade to a new one at Nascot Grange.

“Sales of new homes are strong, but we are keen to help purchasers continue to move on the property ladder

in the current market,” says Alison Deakin, sales and marketing director of CALA Homes (South). “Using our part exchange scheme, with CALA acting as a chain-free, cash buyer, dreams of buying a new CALA home at Nascot Grange can become a reality, speedily and efficiently. Using part exchange also means that there are no estate agents fees.”

Watford, Hertfordshire

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Creating beautiful showhomesfrom concept to completion

How Lane Farm, White Waltham, Berkshire SL6 3JP

tel 0118 932 0828www.aji.co.uk

SOUTH EAST

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House-hunters looking for an exclusive address in mid-Sussex are urged to act quickly to snap up the one remaining property for sale at Emett Gardens, a Hillreed Homes development located in the charming village

of Ditchling. Featuring just three executive properties in all, two of these new homes in East Sussex have already been reserved, leaving just the five-bedroom ‘Bramley’ show home for sale, priced at £1.2m.

The ‘Bramley’ is set out over two storeys and provides nearly 2,300 sq ft of accommodation in a generous plot with a sizeable rear garden and an integral double garage. The ground floor benefits from underfloor heating, providing

comfortable, energy-efficient warmth to the property, illustrated no better than in the welcoming, Mediterranean-styled tiled hallway.

To one side is the double-aspect living room, which has a feature fireplace and French doors to the rear garden. In addition, there is a study and a separate formal dining room, so there is no shortage of options with this flexible layout.

Ditchling, East Sussex

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First-time buyers and existing homeowners who aspire to a new-build home at Kingshill Grange in High Wycombe may find the prospect more affordable than ever now, thanks to the government-backed NewBuy 95% mortgage scheme.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is offering a variety of homes at the development with a home loan that requires just 5% as a deposit - great news for those struggling to save for their first home, or who only have limited equity in their existing property.

Mortgage availability has been a stumbling block for some prospective buyers in recent years, as some lenders have required the security of a large deposit before agreeing to a loan. Taylor Wimpey’s own research discovered that more than half of first-time buyers who had hoped to buy a home in the last 18 months had given

up because of the difficulty in securing a home loan.

With a maximum loan of up to £500,000, and the necessity to put down just 5% of the property price, the NewBuy scheme encompasses a wide spectrum of these new homes in Buckinghamshire, with one-bedroom apartments starting at £169,995 and four-bedroom family homes starting at £339,995. Each home has an impressive standard specification that includes central heating, double glazing and a stylish fitted kitchen with appliances.

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

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Milford GrangeNew Homes in Wokingham, BerkshireBewley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £250,000

Folders MeadowNew Homes in Folders Lane, Burgess Hill, West SussexLinden HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £175,000

Kingsbrook Park, Canterbury, Kent5 Westwood DriveBerkeley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £169,950

Juniper GardensNew Homes in Mortimer, BerkshireBewley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £335,000

Emm SquareNew Homes in Wokingham, RG41 2RYCala HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £194,950

Albany Gate, Esher, SurreyAlbany GateBerkeley HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £1,395,000

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please call 01778 391550

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Buying a home ‘just got ’

Bourne - LincolnshireAbbeyfields2 and 3 bedroom homes

...from £124,995

Eye - CambridgeshireParson’s Prospect2 and 4 bedroom homes

...from £142,500

Bourne - LincolnshireThe Old Laundry2 and 3 bedroom homes

...from £124,995

Oakham - RutlandThe Stable Yard3 bedroom homes

...from £166,995

Bourne - LincolnshireThe Croft1, 2 & 3 bedroom homes

...from £145,000

Look at our website for more reasons you should buy a Larkfleet Home

a range of schemes developed to help you buy the home you want in a way to suit you.

Choose the

way

Information correct at 07.03.2012

EAST ANGLIA

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Taylor Wimpey in Cambridgeshire

Taylor Wimpey’s extensive portfolio of new homes in

Cambridgeshire offers house buyers of all budgets an amazing choice - ranging from smart, contemporary apartments to family homes in rural villages - many of them within commuting distance of Cambridge, Norwich, Peterborough or London.

At the lower end of the price scale, Lion Mills is a development built on the site of a former mill in the growing village of Soham, surrounded by lovely fenland countryside yet benefiting from good access to major transport routes, including the A14 and M11. Packing in a variety of property types priced from £93,595 to £130,722, and ranging from apartments and starter homes to detached family houses, Lion Mills is likely to appeal to a wide range of house buyers. With excellent village amenities such as schools, leisure facilities and restaurants, the cathedral city of Ely is only five miles away for trips to bigger supermarkets, markets, shops and the cinema. Rail services from Ely offer direct links to London, Cambridge and Norwich, while Stansted Airport is only 40 miles away for travel further afield.

Three of the properties at St Cedd’s Place, Countryside Properties’ development

of new homes in Chelmsford, have already sold, with buyers attracted by the high specification and Chelmsford’s recent award of city status as part of the Diamond Jubilee. Prospective purchasers will have to be quick though; the new-build development in Essex has just nine houses left for sale. Prices for homes at St Cedd’s Place range between £500,000 and £690,000.

St Cedd’s Place offers a choice of three-, four- or five-bedroom houses for sale, all of which feature a superb interior specification. Kitchens come with quartz stone worktops, high- quality integrated appliances and ceramic tiled floors, while master bedrooms come with en suites. The interior layouts offer the space that is so important to families, with large open-plan family areas and garden rooms and some also have separate dining rooms. Individual studies provide extra private space, while the larger homes offer additional floor area through a third storey with rooms in the roof. There’s plenty of car parking too, with all properties benefiting from both a private driveway and garage.

Housebuilder Larkfleet Homes has had plans for 460 new houses,

shops and a nursing home at Bassenhally Farm in Whittlesey approved by Fenland District Council. The development will help meet the need for new housing and facilities in the area.

The company recently received consent for Leighfield Park, situated on the outskirts of Oakham, just 11 miles from Stamford. Leighfield Park will offer 143 traditional-style two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom properties starting from £149,995.

Larkfleet has strong links with both Fenland and Stamford.

The company, part of the Larkfleet Group, is helping reward the efforts of local businesses by sponsoring the ‘employee/team of the year’ category of the Stamford Mercury Business Awards in order to reward individual diligence and effort that has made a difference within a company.

Larkfleet Homes, which is currently building a wide selection of new homes in Bourne and Deeping St James in Lincolnshire, Eye in Cambridgeshire and Oakham in Rutland, is also supporting the recognition of outstanding customer service through its sponsorship of the Fenland Enterprise Business Awards.

Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire

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EAST ANGLIA

Parson’s ProspectNew Homes in Eye, CambridgeshireLarkfleet HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £142,500

The MartellosNew Apartments in Felixstowe, Suffolk IP12 1TJHopkins HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £122,995

Langleys QuayNew Homes in Halesworth, SuffolkHopkins HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £134,995

Gipping ViewNew Homes in Phoenix Way, Cedars Park, StowmarketBovis HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £134,950

Mulberry GardensNew Homes in Mulbarton, NorfolkHopkins HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £179,995

OasisNew Homes in Braymere Road, Hampton Hargate, PeterboroughBovis HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £109,995

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Kings Hill Kent GREENWAY & CATHCART GATE

01732 847500 or 01732 522611

Betsham KentCOLYER’S PLACE 01474 833256

Medstead HampshireWATERCRESS WAY 01420 560245

Pease Pottage SussexSTAR PLACE 01293 510001

Ditchling SussexEMETT GARDENS 01273 844861

Ashtead SurreyWISHING TREE PLACE 01372 279869

Wigmore KentSORREL PLACE 01634 262787

Coming soon at Eccles, Lower Halstow,Hailsham & Godalming

Take a look at our superbdevelopments in the South East

Visit our website for details of openinghours, availability, offers & prices.

Images are from previous

Hillreed developments.

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Hillreed New Homes

SOUTH WEST

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Housebuilder Bloor Homes reports that new homes at its Archer’s Gate in Amesbury, Wiltshire, are proving extremely popular with a wide range of homebuyers, including first-time buyers, young professionals, downsizers and growing families.

The Archer’s Gate sales team have sold 20 homes since launching their new phase at the start of February, when Bloor Homes opened the doors to a new collection of three- and four-bedroom of homes at the development - a thriving local community with good onsite facilities, including its own school, community centre, supermarket and pub.

Andrea Smale of Bloor Homes says that she is not surprised that demand for new homes at this unique development, located a short distance from Salisbury, is so high.

“Archer’s Gate offers a truly outstanding level of convenience for all its residents. Because as well as an array of onsite facilities, the excellent shops, bars and restaurants of Amesbury and Salisbury are just minutes away,” she said.

Smale says that she fully expects the high demand for these new homes to continue. With a variety of innovative designs available, the prices on this popular development start from £214,950 for a three-bedroom house and up to £264,950 for a four-bedroom detached home.

Amesbury, Wiltshire

Plans for the construction of just over 200 new homes in the Gloucestershire town of Newent have seen submitted to planners at Forest of Dean District Council. Separate planning applications have been submitted for two major residential developments. One is for up to 120 new homes off Foley Road and the other for 91 homes off Onslow Road.

Housebuilder Linden Homes launched its latest new homes

development in Newent recently, the aptly named Meadow Grove. The scheme features a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, with prices starting from £180,000 for a two-bedroom home and £239,995 for a four- bedroom. All new homes will feature designer kitchens and bathrooms and energy-efficient fittings.

Adrian Bird, sales and marketing director at Linden

Homes, comments: “Newent is a beautiful location in an area full of local interest and plenty of modern amenities close by. Whether they are looking for a family home or a more desirable location Meadow Grove really does offer buyers great choice in a great location.”

Newent, Gloucestershire

SOUTH WEST

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BreezeNew Homes in Owls Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, DorsetLinden HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £175,000

Two CovesNew Homes in Duporth, St Austell Bay, CornwallLinden HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £269,950

Parish GreenNew homes for sale in Ivybridge, PL21 9EUCavanna HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £144,950

Bluebell DriveNew Homes in Tregarth Road, Ashton Vale, BristolBovis HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £182,595

Cobham FieldNew homes for sale in Plymouth, PL6 7LNCavanna HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £178,000

FairfieldsNew Homes in St Austell Road, TruroTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £162,995

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Packed with history, culture and spectacular scenery, north Wales has a lot to offer those who find a property there. Lively towns, such as Wrexham, Rhyl and Bangor, provide shopping and entertainment; the region’s varied landscapes offer countless opportunities for outdoor activities; and coastal resorts, such as Colwyn Bay, offer traditional seaside family fun.

Wrexham is the commercial, retail and educational hub for north Wales, offering a good blend of high-street shops, bars and restaurants, leisure facilities and convenient parking. The town has many job opportunities in high-tech manufacturing, education, technology and services, and as a result it is a popular place to set up home. Set in lovely countryside just 10 minutes’ drive from Wrexham, Bloor Homes has created a development of three-, four- and five-bedroom detached homes at Gatewen Village, ideal for families, and priced from £149,995 to £233,995. Part

exchange is currently available on selected plots at Gatewen, helping existing homeowners to enjoy a hassle-free move into the development.

Taylor Wimpey’s Mountain View development is situated in a picturesque setting high above Wrexham, enjoying far-reaching views over the Welsh hills and the Cheshire plains. With two- to four-bedroom homes priced from £87,500 to £199,995, the development incorporates children’s play areas and open spaces, walkways and cycle paths. For commuters, it is only a short drive to the A483, which leads to the M53 and connects with the main M56 and M6 motorways, placing Wrexham, Chester, Liverpool and Manchester within easy reach.

For those hunting for new homes in Llandudno Junction, Macbryde Homes has a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes at Victoria Park, priced from £109,995 to £329,995. Incorporating energy-efficient central heating and thick roof insulation, the homes also featuring high-specification interiors and extras such as wiring for Sky TV. Situated in lovely surroundings yet just minutes from the A470, which provides access right across north Wales, these new homes are ideal for commuters. There are three

primary schools within half a mile for those with young children, and three local stations: Llandudno Junction (0.5 miles), Deganwy (one mile), and Conwy (1.1 miles).

Just north of Ruthin, the county town of Denbighshire, Glasdir is a development of two-bedroom apartments and three- to five-bedroom homes from Taylor Wimpey, priced from £122,358 to £220,950. Backing on to open fields with shops nearby and a good choice of schools for all ages within a mile, this development will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Ruthin has good bus services to Denbigh, Rhyl, Wrexham, Mold and other regional towns; three supermarkets; and traditional shops and a shopping centre. For leisure time, the town has a sports centre and swimming pool, a theatre, pubs and restaurants, while there are beautiful countryside walks in the surrounding area.

On the tranquil isle of Anglesey, house buyers seeking a quieter life might want to take a look at Llys Coedlys, coming soon from Ravenscroft Homes. This select development of just nine new three- and four-bedroom detached houses in Valley offers properties priced from £169,000 to £275,000, and is aimed mainly at couples and families seeking a tranquil place to live - although it may also appeal to those who are retired.

New homes in North Wales

WALES

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WALES

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Mountain ViewNew Homes in Brymbo Link Road, WrexhamTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £87,500

ViridianNew Homes in Off Dan y Graig Road, Port TennantTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £106,995

Parc GroeswenNew Homes in Margam RoadTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £129,995

Maes HalleyNew homes for sale in Brecon, PowysLovell HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £157,500

City Vizion - The River CollectionNew Homes in Rodney Road, Rodney ParadeTaylor Wimpey HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £109,995

Gatewen VillageNew Homes in Gatewen Road, WrexhamBloor HomesNOW AVAILABLE from £149,995

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What House? Property and Mortgage Magazine - May 2012

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Transcript of What House? Property and Mortgage Magazine - May 2012