It’s been another busy week in the UK’s new homes market, and here are just a few of the latest stories of interest to buyers of new build properties across the UK…
Special events to be held for house-hunters in Bedford
Storey Homes is hosting two ‘Wellies-on Weekend’ events at its De Montford Place development in Bedford this March, as opportunities for house-hunters in town to tour the site, where the housebuilder is planning to construct 152 new homes.
The first event takes place on Saturday 4 March, and the second on Saturday 18 March. Six months into the build of this collection of one- to five-bedroom homes, these days allow interested homebuyers a chance to explore the site and potentially join 16 people who have already purchased a home here off-plan.
Katy Jordan, managing director of Storey Homes, says: “During the first release of homes here, property was snapped up so it is exciting to be able to offer more homes to buyers off-plan. The willies-on tours will allow buyers, who may be inexperienced in buying off-plan, to visualise the layouts and get a better idea of the space on offer. It is definitely worth seeing what space you can get for your money here, especially as property prices are on the rise.”
Five houses and 25 apartments are for sale in the current phase of homes at this development, with Help to Buy available on selected plots. Prices start at £185,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, with four-bedroom semi-detached houses available from £475,000.
Find out more at www.storey-homes.co.uk ; 01582 742165
Plans submitted for 85 new homes in West Lothian
Springfield Partnerships has applied to West Lothian Council to build 85 new affordable homes at a brownfield site in Whitburn, working in association with West Lothian Housing Partnership to provide the mix of flats, bungalows and houses.
Springfield Partnerships managing director Tom Leggeat says: “The development of this land is going to complete the Dixon Terrace streetscape and address the gap site created by the neglected land. The plans would provide 85 West Lothian families with new, highly energy-efficient homes, in a spacious and attractive development that are cost-effective to run.”
A decision on this planning application is expected to be made in the coming months.
Mastermove event at Redrow’s development in Ryarsh this weekend
With over half the properties due there already sold, Redrow Homes is offering house-hunters around the Maidstone area of Kent to visit its Ryarsh Park development on Saturday 4 March to see the new homes on offer and find out more about its Mastermove initiative, which helps buyers sell their existing home and move in quickly without the need to deal directly with an estate agent.
Rachael Baillie, sales director for Redrow Homes (South East), says: “We’ve now sold around 60% of the homes at Ryarsh Park and there are no signs of the sales rate slowing down – just the opposite. We’ve already begun taking ‘early bird’ reservations for properties not yet on release and are predicting that we’ll have sold the final home by the summer. We can help them secure a buyer, usually at full market value, quickly and simply with Mastermove… and being eligible for the scheme has no correlation to the value of the Redrow home you want to buy.”
Close to West Malling station, the development offers a broad mix of properties, with a starting price of £179,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and three-bedroom houses available from £369,995.
Find out more about Ryarsh Park from Redrow Homes
New development opens in Uxbridge
St Modwen Homes has launched a brand new development in Uxbridge, with the first release of homes now for sale at St Andrew’s Park, part of a 1,300-unit project on the former site of RAF Uxbridge in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
The first phase includes three- and four-storey townhouses, some of which offer views over London’s newest park, as well as a range of one- and two-bedroom maisonettes. Selected plots will be available through Help to Buy London. Aside from the park, the development has already delivered a new primary school and will also provide new commercial units, a restaurant at the Grade II listed Hillingdon House, a theatre and a Battle of Britain Bunker Museum.
Bev Hall, sales and marketing manager at St. Modwen Homes, says: “St. Andrew’s Park is set to be our most prestigious development to date. One of my personal favourites is the four-bedroom ‘York’ house type that reminds me of a contemporary version of the Bath Royal Crescent. New homeowners will love the master bedroom with its separate dressing room and en suite as well as the top-floor room that boats two frameless glass balconies and could be used either as a bedroom or entertaining space. People will also be given the choice of having a relaxing hot tub included on their rooftop terrace as well.”
Find out more at www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk ; 0844 243 4560
Buyers urged to act quickly to secure second phase of Northampton homes
With the first phase of six homes all reserved very quickly, developer Westleigh Homes is advising house-hunters looking for a new home in Northampton to register their interest in the second phase at Ecton Brook Place.
A range of three-bedroom houses is set to be released in the coming weeks, with couples, young families and downsizers considered the most likely buyers, though prices have not yet been revealed.
Lisa Morris, new homes manager at Westleigh, says: “We are delighted that the first new homes made available on this development have proven so popular. All of the homes pending release are set to be available through the government-backed Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme. This will allow purchasers with a 5% deposit to buy these properties with just a 75% mortgage.”
Find out more at www.westleigh.co.uk ; 0330 002 0475
New apartments released at popular scheme in St Andrews
Savills has unveiled the latest homes at The Square Green in St Andrews, the renowned coastal town around 30 miles from Edinburgh, with eight apartments and a penthouse available at the high-specification scheme from developer CAF Properties.
All apartments have an allocated parking space, while four of the ground floor apartments offer private gardens. Most of the upper apartments can enjoy private balconies with pleasant south-west views over the bowling green. The penthouse has unrestricted dual aspect views to the south and west and a private terrace.
Savills director Natalie Simpson says: “St Andrews remains a popular investment location and it has seen a number of new apartment developments coming to the market recently and selling out quickly. The homes at The Square Green are suited to a wide range of buyers, and are an ideal quality purchase for use either as a main home or investment. The development is proving popular, with all five properties in the first release being snapped up. The remaining properties are now complete, ready to view and released for sale with immediate entry.”
There’s a show apartment for interested property seekers to visit, demonstrating the build quality and range of fixture, fittings and finishes for all the properties.
Find out more at [email protected] ; 0131 247 3739
Larkfleet Homes opens new show home at Cambridgeshire site
Award-winning housebuilder Larkfleet Homes is opening a brand new show home at its Thorney Meadows development in Thorney, Cambridgeshire, around seven miles north-east of Peterborough.
Larkfleet Homes joint managing director Helen Hick says: “Viewing the new show home will enable prospective buyers to see and feel the quality built into each and every Larkfleet home. It really ‘brings to life’ how beautiful a Larfkleet home can look with the right size furniture and added extras.”
The housebuilder is currently offering a selection of three- and four-bedroom houses for sale at the development, priced from £199,995, with Help to Buy and Part Exchange options available.
Find out more about Thorney Meadows from Larkfleet Homes
New affordable homes in Dunfermline set for May completion
Kingdom Housing Association is reporting “excellent progress” on its Paton Street development in Dunfermline, Fife, with the first phase of homes predicted for completion in May.
In all, the development will be providing 22 new two- and three-bedroom homes as just part of Fife Council’s affordable housing programme, with £1.7m of this project’s £3m budget funded by the Scottish government. Housebuilder Campion Homes is undertaking the construction of the project on behalf of the council.
Bill Banks, chief executive with Kingdom, says: “The new homes are mostly semi-detached or short-terrace properties with their own gardens and parking, to reflect what tenants have told us they prefer. They have been designed and built to very high standards and will attain the Silver Sustainability status, due to their air-tight construction and high levels of insulation.”