Colchester provides London commuters with plenty of options

With frequent and fast trains to London all day, very day, it is easy to see why Colchester is a popular place for workers in the capital to consider as home and why so many housebuilders are busy constructing new homes there.

House prices in Colchester rose by 10.8% in 2016, according to official government statistics , demonstrating the effect of the difference between demand and supply of homes on the market in Britain’s oldest town. Many new sites are underway though.

Last summer, councillors rejected one proposal for a 4,000-home ‘garden village’ to the north of the town as part of their 15-year plan for some 15,000 new homes in and around Colchester by 2031. North Colchester alone, around the Weston Homes Community Stadium, is expecting over 6,000 new properties alongside thousands of new job opportunities and an ‘adventure space’ taking in many sports and outdoor pursuits. The Essex Partnership has some fascinating statistics for the town compiled last year to compare population and employment with investment and housing levels.

Peak time trains to London are very frequent and typically take between 53 and 61 minutes to reach Liverpool Street, ideal for city workers and, when Crossrail launches, those needing access to central and west London, too. Colchester is also well positioned for trains into East Anglia, with a journey time of just 20 minutes to Ipswich, 61-64 minutes to Norwich and 65 minutes to Bury St Edmunds.

Curent costs for an annual season ticket are £4,928 to London, £4,616 to Norwich and £1,756 to Ipswich.

The A12 passes the town and links it directly with central London, the M25 and the Suffolk coast, as well as links into major town across the Home Counties and East Anglia. It’s also just over 40 minutes to Stansted Airport, too, ideal for those who need to travel further distances for work or leisure.

Here are some great new build homes for sale in Colchester right now:

Constable Grange (CALA Homes) – This varied scheme from our former Housebuilder of the Year in Stanway, in the west of town, currently has an array of four- and five-bedroom houses for sale, with assistance to purchasers in the form of Help to Buy and an Armed Forces discount. These homes are just three miles from the town centre with good access to the A12 or rail from Colchester or Marks Tey stations. Find out more about Constable Grange from CALA Homes
Arena Place (Taylor Wimpey) – A new collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments was released last weekend at this scheme, which has a central location just a few minutes from Colchester Town station and combines refurnished former military buildings with complementary new builds. Single- and double-storey properties are available. The site is open from Thursday to Monday, 10.00am to 5.30pm. Find out more about the new homes from Taylor Wimpey.
Chesterwell (Countryside) – There are currently a number of three- and four-bedroom homes available at this development in the north of the town, close to a number of good nurseries and schools for all ages. It’s been popular since its launch last year. Ask about Help to Buy with the team at the marketing suite, open Thursday to Monday 10.00am to 5.00pm. Find out more at www.countryside-properties.com ; 07342 084022
Chesterwell (Mersea Homes) – This regional housebuilder is sharing the Chesterwell development site and its own collection of three- and four-bedroom homes currently starts at £310,000. Its own properties combine modern and traditional styling, with a contemporary and high-quality interior specification. Find out more at www.merseahomes.co.uk ; 08451 840094
Kingswood Heath (Bloor Homes) – There’s just one home currently available at this development only minutes from the A12, a three-bedroom detached ‘Yarkhill’ house priced at £324,995. This home is available with the Help to Buy scheme, and comes with a lounge with bay window at the front, a kitchen/dining room with utility room at the rear, two double bedrooms (one with en suite shower room), one single bedroom and a family bathroom. There’s a single garage and additional parking space. Find out more at bloorhomes.com ; 01206 805731	​​​