Living close to water can come in a variety of guises, from having a pond or lake in a garden, to living by the coast to a waterfront or harbourside development.
Perhaps it is because the UK is an Island but there is something appealing about living close to water that is attractive to Brits, despite the clear risk of flooding that is becoming an annual event, hitting various parts of the country, including Somerset and Yeading, Kent in recent years.
Research by leading property consultancy firms such as Savills and Knight Frank confirm that coastal or waterfront properties attract a price premium. Last month, Knight Frank issued its most recent study and found that prices for prime waterfront properties are up to 71% higher than comparable inland properties.
But it is not just coastal areas that have attractive waterside properties. In London, new developments by the River Thames and close to the network of canals that runs through the capital, there are a range of exciting new developments that are attracting interest from homebuyers. More luxurious homes on bigger plots occasionally have their own pond in the garden and homes that have gardens leading onto a river, perhaps with their own private moorings provide a tranquil, evocative setting for a property.
WhatHouse? selects five of the best options of new homes set by a waterside feature. All of these developments have been nominated in various categories for the WhatHouse? Awards 2016.
Riverdale House, Lewisham (Galliard Homes)
This luxury development of 137 studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments is a development of a former office block and includes secure parking and access to communal gardens.
Despite being close to Lewisham town centre it is situated in green and rural style surroundings and is on the banks of the Ravensbourne River which has a wide range of flora and fauna including insects, birds, fish and amphibians. The development has green spaces all around and is only five minutes’ drive from Blackheath Common.
Each floor of the development has an open plan design and large windows to enable occupants to enjoy the riverside views and this means each property makes maximum use of available light and views to the wooded areas and river at the back as well as to the landscaped gardens at the front which includes a pond and an ancient water mill which has been restored.
Prices: Sold out
Find out more about Galliard Homes at www.galliardhomes.com
Royal Arsenal Riverside, London (Berkeley Homes, East Thames Group)
This huge 30-year, £1.2bn, 88-acre regeneration of the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich is currently undergoing its latest phase, Waterfront II, launched in May 2015, includes 1km of river frontage for 2015 units released for sale, including Manhattan apartments and one-, two- and three-bedroom properties and penthouses.
Situated on the banks of the River Thames, with stunning views stretching from Canary Wharf in the West to the Garden of England in the East, both the interiors and exteriors of the properties have been designed to allow luxurious riverside living and to place the riverside and city views centre stage.
Expansive windows and high ceilings maximise the light and sense of space provided by the river aspect.
The first phase proved very popular with the waterfront vision proving a powerful draw for potential homeowners and the second phase is proving similarly popular.
Prices: From £440,000
Find out more about Royal Arsenal Riverside from Berkeley Homes
Bow River Village, London (Southern Housing)
This is another special London riverside location and this development is on a brownfield site alongside the River Lea. Previously derelict industrial land into an affordable residential development.
Researching other developments along the Thames, canals and other London waterways, Southern Housing have attempted to avoid the pitfalls some developments have when they are isolated from their surroundings.
Bow River Village offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom duplexes and one penthouse to offer a range of tenures including affordable rent, Shared Ownership, market rent and outright sales for homes that sit perpendicular to the water and the public towpath now runs along the water’s edge for the first time in many years.
Many of the homes have balconies which allow people to enjoy the delightful river views and rediscover the riverside. There are now improved riverside walkways to the Three Mills, a heritage landmark site and enhanced river walks that can be enjoyed by the wider public.
Prices: Vary according to tenure
Find out more: www.shgroup.org.uk
Cerney On The Water, Gloucestershire (Redrow Homes)
Cerney on the Water is a development of two to five-bedroom homes in the picturesque village of South Cerney in Gloucestershire, overlooking Bradley Lake, one of the 140 lakes that make up the Cotswold Water Park. South Cerney Sailing Club is situated across the lake to the east.
60% of the total site area is public open space, featuring footpaths, seating areas, large areas of flora and fauna, including mature woodland and wildflower meadows, plus two play areas.
Nine of the 149 contemporary waterfront properties have their own private jetties, the exclusive ‘Elements’ collection. These substantial four and five-bedroom homes back onto idyllic woodland and offer fantastic views out onto the lake.
They have been arranged in an arc to give each a share of the water’s edge, a southerly aspect and open views across the lake. They use lots of glass in the design to complement the waterside location and make the most of the views.
Prices: From £393,995
Find out more about Cerney on the Water from Redrow Homes
Glan Llyn, Newport, Wales (St Mowden Homes)
Glan Llyn is a new neighbourhood featuring two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and form part of a larger regeneration at Glan Llyn that is transforming part of the former Newport Llanwern steelworks site in Newport. When complete it will deliver 4,000 new homes. In the early stages, 60% of the homebuyers have used Help to Buy.
Each of the homes has been designed to make the most of the setting with three-storey townhouses framing large open spaces and detached homes in the more secluded areas overlooking the lakes.
There are 21 different styles of homes ranging from two-bedroom terraced properties to five-bedroom detached homes. One of the aims of the development is to exploit the natural beauty of its surroundings, keeping the existing wildlife habitats and open spaces intact for future generations to enjoy.
Prices: From £256,000
Find out more: www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk