There’s currently a lot of new build property available in the South West of England, and its exceptional coast and countryside offer house-hunters are especially attractive for buyers hoping to escape urban living.
That said, the region also has its own busy, well-served towns and cities, and has some excellent road and rail links to other parts of the country. Demand for properties is strong as people have reassessed their priorities and seriously considered moving home, and the current Stamp Duty holiday, open to completions until 31 March 2021, can save thousands of pounds.
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the latest new homes news from the South West.
Local estate agency Connells in Exeter has been named the sole selling agent for Equinox I, a collection of properties by Cavanna Homes. It consists of 79 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, finished in white render with brick features and timber cladding, to be in keeping with the contemporary architectural style of the nearby Exeter Science Park. 18 homes have already been reserved there.
Equinox I
Internally, highlights include kitchens with fully integrated Zanussi appliances, bathrooms fitted with Roca sanitaryware and Mira React thermostatic shower, generous rooms with en suites to the main bedrooms, and turfed front and rear gardens. A choice of kitchen finishes is also available subject to build stage.
Jamie Snell, land and new homes manager at Connells, said. “We look forward to assisting in the successful delivery of this community, and providing some much needed new housing options. Equinox I is ideal for first-time buyers, families and commuters alike, with a wide range of property styles to choose from, affordable price options such as Help to Buy and Assisted Move, and some fantastic and unique on-site and nearby amenities.”
Prices start from £305,000. Find out more about Equinox I from Cavanna Homes.
With the original Help to Buy scheme ending last week, housebuilders are now looking ahead to the introduction of a new version of it launching next year, and Barratt Homes is already offering a range of homes at its Birds Marsh View development in Chippenham.
Under the new rules of the government-backed shared equity scheme, only first-time buyers qualify to use it and in the South West of England, the property price limit is £349,000. Help to Buy continues to require a deposit of just 5% of the home and will provide an equity loan of 20%, so that buyers need a mortgage of only 75% of the price. The loan is interest-free for the first five years.
Birds Marsh View
Birds Marsh View is bringing a whole range of one- to four-bedroom homes to the site, which is just 1.2 miles from Chippenham station. Right now, there are one- and two-bedroom apartments available, prices starting at £176,995, and several three- and four-bedroom house types, starting at £279,995 and all within the regional Help to Buy limit. The homes a complemented by new play areas, a local centre and primary school.
In addition to Help to Buy, Barratt Homes continues to offer its Armed Forces & NHS deposit scheme, with which the company makes a contribution worth up to £15,000 for qualifying purchasers. Find out more about Birds Marsh View from Barratt Homes.
Barratt Homes and partner David Wilson Homes have also submitted plans for a next phase at Wichelstowe in Swindon. It involves 476 new homes, part of 3,000+ properties to be built over 20 years. Wichelstowe project director Daniel Pavely said: “This next phase will not only deliver more much-needed homes for Swindon, but will see the ecological measures, wildlife habitats and open green space start to take shape, all of which have taken on an even greater significance for so many of us this year.”
The Larkfleet Homes South West team has launched the first homes at a new development, The Saxons, in North Petherton, Somerset, where experts found the remains of four prehistoric Saxon roundhouses, dating back to the Iron Age. The new scheme will comprise 43 two- to four-bedroom properties in a variety of styles, situated within easy reach of independent shops, bars and restaurants, primary school, doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries, post office, library and range of social clubs. Selected homes are now available to buy off-plan.
The Saxons
Katharine Lenton, regional sales manager at Larkfleet Homes South West, said: “The Saxons is a beautiful development and provides future homeowners with rural living whilst being in close proximity to bustling towns such as Bridgewater and Taunton. To help make this dream a reality, we are supporting our prospective buyers in a variety of ways. They can make use of our assisted move programme and the new Help to Buy Equity Loan. If you are interested in this or would like to find out more about our offers, please get in touch with our friendly sales team on 01823 774009 or email [email protected].”
With sea views over Polzeath beach from the first floor and roof terrace, Rosevarlock is a brand new five-bedroom house now available off-plan through estate agent John Bray & Partners. Designed by Purl Architects, it’s a thoroughly contemporary home just steps from the beach.
There are five en suite double bedrooms, two with balconies and one with a terrace, open-plan kitchen/dining/family room, separate reception room, all opening onto balconies and terraces and a roof terrace with outdoor kitchen and far-reaching beach and sea views. It also comes with games/cinema room, laundry & shower room, an outside shower, a garage with driveway parking and a large storage/plant room. Inside space alone totals some 3,196 sq ft. Price on application.
Rosevarlock
Polzeath has golden sand and is excellent for water sports and scenic coastal walks. As well as its own choice of eateries and pubs, it is within easy reach of renowned restaurants by well-known chefs in the likes of Padstow, Port Isaac and Rock.
Josephine Ashby of John Bray & Partners commented: “It’s no secret that the Cornish property market has been an over-achiever in 2020. Turnkey properties with fabulous coastal or country views literally flew off the shelf, often unseen by the buyers who relied on video tours, virtual viewings and online resources. We’re always cautious with our predictions for a new year, but it’s hard to see that demand for Cornish property will diminish.” Find out more at www.johnbraysales.co.uk.
Case study: Anke and Richard
Anke and Richard Allen didn’t plan on buying a new build home off plan, until Symonds & Sampson, local estate agents, were selling their home in North Allington and recommended that they visit Palmers Meadow, a development in Bridport by Baker Estates.
The couple were intrigued and booked a viewing, also making research trips to other Baker Estates developments in Barnstaple and South Molton, to look closely at the already constructed show homes. Back at Palmers Meadow they immediately fell in love with the privacy, views and design layout. The Allens reserved off-plan a three-bedroom, detached, contemporary-style house which comes with a garage and two-tier landscaped garden priced, at £450,000. It even comes with views looking towards a golf course.
Berlin-born Anke, 45, and husband, Richard 52 were no strangers to Dorset as Richard grew up in the local area. Six years ago, the couple and their two daughters moved from Camberley in Surrey to Bridport to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that the coastal town offers – from sailing and water sports to walking and riding in unspoilt countryside.
High-quality construction was paramount to Richard, a lecturer in brickwork and construction at Weymouth College: “The level of architectural design throughout the house is outstanding. We love certain features such as the way the master bedroom has been created to have a sleeping area which is cleverly distinguished from a dressing area with wardrobes and the generous size of our en suite bathroom.
Anke, a European sales director for an electronics company based in Bridport, commented: “Both Richard and I are very design conscious and minimalist when it comes to our interior style. We like simplicity combined with great attention to detail and finish, so we felt we needed to do our homework if we were going to buy off-plan.”
Of the Baker Estates team, she added: “Lucy and Meredith at the Devon show homes were fantastically helpful. They were able to provide so much information and input regarding the specification, interior details and answered all our questions about every aspect of the build. It gave us huge confidence that our own new build would be just to our taste.”
Palmers Meadow is a collection of 33 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, situated close to the town centre of Bridport with its wide selection of independent shops, restaurants, and is close to West Bay. Prices start from £474,995. Find out more at www.bakerestatesltd.co.uk
Find retirement homes developments in the South West
Find affordable homes developments in the South West
Find luxury homes developments in the South West