WhatHouse.com has introduced its comprehensive Location Ratings data that give new homes developments a score based on the major topics house-hunters consider when searching for a new property.
Using figures provided by data experts CLSQ, we base our Location Ratings on five main categories: Education & Amenities, Health & Wellbeing, Tech Connectivity, Finance and Transport Links.
The quality and proximity of well-regarded schools and colleges is a priority for families moving home, but the kind of neighbourhood you’re searching for also concerns other ‘basics’ too, such as what local shops there are, and the breadth of medical services close at hand. If you’re a fitness fan, you’ll want to find gyms, leisure and sports facilities near to home too.
To calculate our Location Ratings score for Education & Amenities, we look into things like the proximity of schools and other educational establishments for all ages; what hospitals, doctors and dentists are nearby, and average NHS waiting times in the area; ease-of-reach to shops and supermarkets; the sports and physical exercise venues close by; and how close are local places of worship?
We’ve taken a look at current new homes developments across the North East of England and compiled a Top 10 of those that score best for Health & Wellbeing. Any deals or buying schemes mentioned are all subject to terms and conditions.
The Sycamores from Keepmoat
1. The Sycamores, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, rated 4.2
This is a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes – 143 in total – located centrally in the town, just a few minutes’ walk from many independent shops, entertainment venues and choice of cafés and takeaways. The current range of available properties start at £134,995 and there are numerous plots with limited-time deals and upgrades. Buyers can also ask developer Keepmoat about Easymove and Deposit Unlock assistance schemes.
Education & Amenities highlights: ‘Good’ Ofsted-rated primary schools and the Queen’s Campus of Durham University are all within a mile of home, and numerous sports facilities within walking distance of hime, including a football club, trampoline park, go-karting and David Lloyd gym.
Find out more.
2. Bedewell Court, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, rated 4.1/5
Barratt Homes has seen great success at this development, with 90% of its choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes now sold. The remaining 14 homes really do suit a very wide range of buyers, from a two-bedroom property through Shared Ownership (£86,250 based on a 50% share) to a four-bedroom detached house from £369,995. The are some great deals and a £99 reservation fee offer for January 2024.
Education & Amenities highlights: Hebburn Health Centre is only 15 minutes away on foot, and several ‘Good’ Ofsted-rated schools for all ages within just a few minutes’ drive. Jarrow’s Viking Centre shops are under two miles away.
Find out more.
3. Robinson Fields, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, rated 4.1/5
Story Homes is delivering three-, four- and five-bedroom homes on a site on the edge of open fields, and some of the currently available larger detached homes come with integral garage and high standard specification. There are numerous other semi-detached and detached houses coming soon too, that can be reserved ahead of release thanks to an ‘Early Bird’ initiative. The housebuilder’s own Home Move scheme on selected plots can help existing property owners a chance to sell their home without estate agent fees. Prices currently start at £393,995.
Education & Amenities highlights: Located opposite North Tyneside General Hospital, this development has a number of well-rated schools close by and it’s under two miles to a large Morrisons, a swimming pool and clubs for sports including golf, squash and cricket.
Find out more.
4. High View, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, rated 4.1/5
High View is nearly sold out, but remaining homes start at £247,995 with Keepmoat’s Easymove and Part Exchange schemes available. There are panoramic views from the development across the River Tyne, and commuters will appreciate that home here is just six miles from Newcastle city centre.
Education & Amenities highlights: A number of quality schools are within easy reach, it’s only a ten-minute walk to Blaydon town centre and the much-admired Metrocentre is within 2.5 miles.
Find out more.
King Edwards Park from Linden Homes
5. King Edwards Park, Morpeth, Northumberland, rated 4.1/5
Linden Homes has launched this second phase of the very popular St George’s Wood scheme and opened a brand new sales centre and two new show homes. There are currently just four-bedroom houses for sale, from £334,995, but the completed development also includes two- and three-bedroom homes to suit other budgets. Good road and rail links to Newcastle make this an excellent option for commuters. Deposit Assist and Deposit Unlock schemes can help buyers in different circumstances.
Education & Amenities highlights: The shops and amenities of Morpeth are under a mile away, a good mix of national and independent brands. King Edward VI Grammar School is ‘Outstanding’ and just a four-minute drive away.
Find out more.
6. Regency Manor, Wynyard, County Durham, rated 4.0/5
Located just a few minutes from the centre of Wynyard, starting prices currently range from £349,995 to £559,995 for this selection of four- and five-bedroom homes from national housebuilder Bellway, each with a private garden and garage. Currently, there’s a cashback offer worth thousands of pounds on selected plots here.
Education & Amenities highlights: Wynyard Church of England Primary School is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Around 10 minutes’s drive away, Billingham has numerous shops, supermarkets, sports and leisure facilities and a well-regarded sixth form college.
Find out more.
7. Modello, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, rated 4.0/5
While two-bedroom apartments here currently start at £209,995, there will also be some smaller one-bedroom units available in the future. Each of these Bellway properties comes with its own allocated parking space and it’s just half-a-mile to Gateshead station. Buyers can currently ask about a cashback offer on some homes here.
Education & Amenities highlights: Gateshead has its landmark shopping centre as well as a Tesco Extra just around the corner from Modello. A wide array of sports clubs are easily reached from here.
Find out more.
8. Clarence Gate, Bowburn, County Durham, rated 4.0/5
The three- and four-bedroom brand new houses for sale here are priced from £179,995 to £329,995 right now, and there’s currently (January 2024) a cashback deal on selected plots. This development is situated around 15 minutes from Durham city centre and being close to the A1(M) means lots of other towns and cities can be easily reached too.
Education & Amenities highlights: Bowburn Primary School is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and a dental centre and doctors surgery are only minutes from the front door.
Find out more.
'The Delamare' at Marine Point from Persimmon Homes
9. Marine Point, Hartlepool, County Durham, rated 4.0/5
Marine Point a new development from Persimmon Homes bringing new two-, three- and four-bedroom seafront properties to the northern outskirts of Hartlepool. Prices currently start at £126,950 for a two-bedroom mid-terrace house – a great option for a first-time buyer or downsizer – and there’s currently an impressive range of larger property types too. Buyers can ask about incentives on selected plots, such as deposit/mortgage contributions and Part Exchange.
Education & Amenities highlights: University Hospital of Hartlepool is only a three-minute drive away, neighbouring a medical practice. A ‘Good’ Ofsted-rated primary school, large Iceland store and several churches are all equally close to home.
Find out more.
10. Stephenson Park, Willington Quay, Tyne and Wear, rated 3.9/5
On the eastern fringe of Wallsend and under five miles from the centre of Newcastle, Persimmon Homes is currently offering three- and four-bedroom new homes here, priced from £189,950, with offers on selected plots.
Education & Amenities highlights: There are several ‘Good’ rated primary schools within a few minutes of home, while there’s a convenience store and major supermarkets in the area too.
Find out more.
Find out more about our other Location Ratings core topics:
Find retirement homes developments in the North East of England
Find affordable homes developments in the North East of England
Find luxury homes developments in the North East of England