The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced that he has met his target of 50,000 new homes for Londoners with three new Housing Zone schemes, in Brent, Westminster and Sutton. He has now revealed 18 out of 20 schemes promised by the end of this summer.
The three new schemes bring the total number of properties for construction to 50,965 across Greater London. The Housing Zones are a joint project with the Greater London Authority, central government and local boroughs, freeing up brownfield land for redevelopment and speeding up the planning process. The £44million earmarked for the latest three Zones will go towards improved transport links for the growing population as well as new homes.
Elsewhere, the latest London New Homes Monitor from Stirling Ackroyd reports that the number of new homes approved by the planning system in the first quarter of 2015 represents an annualised figure of 47,460 new homes across Greater London as a whole. That figure is almost 20,000 higher than the last quarter of 2014, a rise of 73%.
There’s a great variety in the success of planning applications across different boroughs. For Q1 2015, Greenwich and Tower Hamlets led the way, approving 99% of the planned homes put before them. They were followed by Camden and Southwark, which both allowed 97% of homes decided by their respective planning offices. At the other end of the spectrum, Hillingdon approved just one in five potential new homes (20%), followed by Croydon (32%) and Barking & Dagenham (33%).
Renaissance in Cockfosters (Heronslea Group)
Representing the height of luxury in one of north London’s most sought-after areas, Hadley Wood, Renaissance offer the rare chance to buy a luxury apartment on Cockfosters Road. The show home was launched just a fortnight ago and demonstrates the exceptional quality that has been lavished on every part of the development, from its spacious (1990 sq ft to 2743 sq ft) and impeccably specified apartments to the landscaped grounds and underground car park.
Nick Staton, from local selling agents Statons, says: “Everyone in the area is talking about Renaissance, this unique collection of eight three-bedroom apartments offer the ultimate in luxury, which is simply unparalleled in Hadley Wood.”
The three-storey block features a spectacular galleried entrance and provides a high level of security with electronic gated entrance, secure basement parking with ample visitor spaces, lift access to all homes, a video entry system, alarm systems and CCTV throughout, making it ideal as a ‘lock-up-and-leave’ property for those who spend time elsewhere throughout the year.
There’s a hotel style concierge service, too, and shops, parks and transport links close by.
Price: From £2million
Find out more at www.heronslea-group.co.uk ; 020 3327 0298
219 Park Road in Kingston upon Thames (Featherstone Leigh)
This new development of six four- and five-bedroom contemporary homes is set back from Park Road and is justmoments away from Richmond Park and a few minutes’ walk from the local rail station, under half-an-hour from Waterloo.
These generously proportioned family homes are set around a courtyard within a private gated community, with a very high specification which includes a stylish kitchen by Schuller, integrated Siemens appliances, ‘three-way’ tap providing hot, filtered cold and ‘instant’ boiling water, porcelain floors, underfllor heating to ground and lower ground floors, integrated sound and lighting technology and beautiful contemporary bathrooms and en suites.
These homes are eco-friendly, too, having achieved a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 standard, boasting features including photovoltaic roof cells, energy-efficient appliances, high levels of insulation, and high-performance windows and bi-fold doors.
Russell Mann, director of new homes at Featherstone Leigh, says: “These properties…are perfect for families or couples who are looking to move or settle in a place that offers city convenience and country charm; the capital’s largest Royal Park is almost on your doorstep.”
Price: From £1.475million
Find out more at www.featherstoneleigh.co.uk ; 020 8549 9449
Great Minster House in Westminster (Barratt London)
Located in a prime position in the heart of Westminster, in a top-class conversion of a former government building, Great Minster House comprises 61 spacious studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. This prime location is just minutes from some of London’s most iconic landmarks, providing residents with everything they could want from a central London residence, with high ceilings, parquet floors, terraces and a 24-hour concierge.
The properties are fitted with individually designed kitchens, a full range of top-end appliances, bathrooms and en suites with natural stone tiles, polished chrome, marble fixtures and illuminated mirrors, and pure wool carpets in most rooms.
Some of the apartments are ready to move into straight away, while the final touches are being carried out on the rest of them, which will be ready to move into later this year.
Barratt London is offering £27,000 of complimentary furnishings for any one-bedroom apartments or suites reserved before 28 August 2015.
Price: From £975,000
Find out more at http://whathou.se/a8CxNc ; 020 3151 9326
Westgate in Hackney (Notting Hill Housing)
Right in the heart of East London, Westgate offers 24 apartments available to buy through Shared Ownership – a great way to get on the property ladder, subject to certain eligibility criteria.
This trendy scheme sits within two conservation areas, Mare Street and the Broadway Market. There’s a great deal to do in the immediate vicinity, including shopping at an eclectic mix of independent retailers, a Picturehouse cinema, Saturday farmers’ and craft markets, microbreweries, artisanal bakeries and pop-up ventures. Broadway Market also has well-established cafes, bars and bookshops.
Some of these apartments overlook London Fields, which is a well-kept parkland area.
All apartments are fitted with a contemporary kitchen, in-built storage spaces and individual balconies or terraces.
Price: From £162,000
Find out more at http://whathou.se/qGvtjh ; 0121 369 1957
Brook Valley Gardens in Chipping Barnet (Countryside)
Buyers looking for their own unique green space in London may find it at this development. Inspired by the original garden suburbs of the early 20th century to provide residents with a modern interpretation of the traditional garden suburb, the three- and four-bedroom houses all have rear gardens, while the development as a whole is bordered by leafy residential areas, playing fields, open space and golf courses.
A new show home, ‘The Lancaster’ has recently opened at the site. This is a four-bedroom, three-storey home with a private rear garden where buyers can create their own oasis of tranquillity with lots of plants, flowers and even vegetables, and entertain friends with a barbeque on the patio.
Richard Cherry, chief executive of Countryside’s Partnerships division, says: “We have designed Brook Valley Gardens to create a modern garden suburb, with gardens for each house where buyers can enjoy gardening, as well as simply relaxing at the end of a busy day. Once complete, the development will also include shared communal gardens, children’s play areas and public open space for the community to enjoy. “
Price: From £560,000
Find out more at www.brookvalleygardens.co.uk
Sundridge Park in Bromley (Millgate)
This exclusive development is set in 275 acres of Kentish parkland and is approached along a half-mile secluded driveway, nestled between two renowned championship golf courses.
It offers 14 townhouses, 25 apartments and two exclusive detached homes. As Jonathan Cranley, sales and marketing director for Millgate, says of this Georgian-influenced scheme: “The Millgate philosophy is simple; if someone is looking to buy a beautiful home then it must be set within a beautiful plot. At Sundridge Park we are carefully enhancing and improving the masterpieces of two of history’s greats, Humphry Repton and John Nash, by holding true their vision in maintaining an exclusive English country estate environment.”
A recently launched show home is open to view by appointment with selling agent Savills and it provides the perfect opportunity to experience the setting first-hand and take a close look at the build quality and typical interior layout of these new homes, and their high-end specification. The developer is also inviting buyers to use the expert skills of interior design company Alexander James to add the personal finishing touch to each home.
Price: From £695,000
Find out more at 0208 313 9163 (Savills)
This collection of 20 brand new one- and two-bedroom apartments, located close to highly sought-after Hampstead, has been designed by the multi-award-winning PCKO Architects in a striking contemporary design with a brick façade, architectural recesses on the upper storeys and glass-encased balconies.
Inside, each apartment has an open-plan kitchen/living/dining room with bespoke kitchens by Commodore, a range of fully integrated appliances, and Silestone Cemento Spa worktops. There are high-quality wood-effect floors in all living areas and hallways, while the bedrooms are carpeted with fitted wardrobes and the bathrooms come with stylish tiling and sanitaryware. All properties have private outdoor space in the form of a balcony or terrace, and each has a space in the underground car park.
The development’s eco-credentials are high, too, as it meets Level 4 in the Code for Sustainable Homes, meaning an environmentally friendly build and reduced running costs due to its energy efficiency.
Price: From £442,500
Find out more at www.axisapartments.co.uk
Ten Trinity Square in the City of London (Reignwood Investments)
This development is based around a brand new Four Seasons Hotel, with 41 spacious and highly specified luxury residences on floors three to seven of this conversion of a much-admired Grade II listed building.
The new residences range in size from one to five bedrooms, offering views of the Square Mile, Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the River Thames. The designs have been inspired by the building’s origins in the 1920s (think mid- to late-series Downton Abbey) and will evoke the refined luxury, prosperity and glamour of that time. Marble and parquet flooring, marble bathrooms, bespoke kitchens and the latest home technology all feature in each home.
Residents also have the unique facility to call on the services and amenities of the Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, including its restaurants, bars and spa. There’s also a 24-hour concierge looking after the needs of the residents.
Price: From £5million
Find out more at tentrinitysquare.co.uk ; 020 3297 9300
Artisan in Dalston (Bellway)
Located just two miles from Shoreditch’s vibrant nightlife, an apartment at Artisan could be the perfect choice for someone who wants to be close to the heart of the countless leisure opportunities on offer in the capital.
It’s a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments close to a range of local amenities on Stoke Newington High Street, including the bars and restaurants of Shoreditch to the south and Stratford and Westfield City to the east. The spacious mater bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and an en suite and the chic fitted kitchens have a comprehensive range of appliances built-in.
Peter Knights, sales director for Bellway Homes Thames Gateway division, says: “Artisan is perfectly placed for those who work in the City, who want a trendy location with everything on the doorstep. The apartments are perfect for enjoying the best that London has to offer - residents can enjoy an easy commute from Stoke Newington Overground and never be far from the action.”
Price: From £440,000
Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/artisan ; 0845 257 6064
Birchwood Grange in Northwood (David Wilson Homes)
No less a dignitary than the Mayor of Hillingdon opened the show home here recently, giving house-hunters the chance to see one of just 10 luxurious detached five-bedroom houses being built on a private cul-de-sac off the prestigious Duck’s Hill Road.
Councillor Carol Melvin, representing the Northwood Ward, was among the guests at the event: She says: “I was delighted to be invited to the ribbon cutting of this lovely development. I was really pleased to see how spacious and well laid-out the houses are and the gardens are a nice outside amenity space for family use. Birchwood Grange is definitely a nice addition to Northwood housing.”
The ‘Moorcroft’ show home has accommodation across three floors. The ground floor has a study, lounge, dining room, the kitchen with a separate utility area and a cloakroom, and French doors opening onto the garden from both the kitchen and lounge. A bathroom and four bedrooms are located on the first floor, including the master with an en suite, and there is a second en suite on the second floor, along with a flexible space which could be used as a den or hobby room.
Price: From £1.075million
Find out more at www.dwh.co.uk ; 0844 854 7767