Before the coronavirus outbreak, housing market activity levels and price growth were edging up as a result of robust labour market conditions, low borrowing costs and increased political stability following the general election.
Now industry insiders hope the government’s comprehensive support measures will reduce the impact of the pandemic on both the economy and the property market – when we finally reach the other side of this.
Looking at data from China, there is hope: while transactions ground to a halt during the early stages of the outbreak, their property market is now picking up again.
While the UK’s housing market is in lockdown, most developers still have sales staff available by phone and email to answer queries – and some fantastic interactive technology – so many prospective buyers will use this time to research new developments online and create a shortlist of those that tick all the right boxes, ready to arrange viewings once sites reopen to visitors.
We’ve put together a selection of some exciting new developments across the South East of England.
Lumina in Camberley, Surrey (Berkeley Homes)
This exclusive collection of Manhattan (studio), one- and two-bedroom apartments is situated right in the heart of Camberley, a town that is just 31 miles south-west of Central London, between the M3 and M4 motorways. The spacious homes have been carefully designed to offer plenty of natural light, with access to a private rooftop garden, a screening room, a business lounge and an exercise room.
Located opposite Camberley train station, it is an ideal spot for commuting professionals, while closer to home Camberley is home to an active sporting scene, a library, a museum, a nine-screen cinema, a bowling alley and a theatre, plus a number of schools. The Square shopping centre has a good mix of shops, bars and clubs.
Prices: From £212,500 to £340,000.
Find out more about Lumina from Berkeley Homes.
Osborne Gate at Jennetts Park in Bracknell, Berkshire (Redrow)
In a great location within Bracknell, Osborne Gate at Jennetts Park offers everything you need for convenient modern living. It is surrounded by lovely Berkshire countryside, yet it offers easy road links to the M4, Reading and London, and has local rail services within walking distance. There is a good set of amenities nearby, too, including supermarkets and the Lexicon shopping centre in the town, and attractions such as Bracknell Forest, Windsor Castle and Ascot racecourse a short drive away.
The scheme forms part of an exclusive new community in a peaceful location, and is made up of contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments, all finished to a very high standard. Jennetts Park as a whole will also deliver a number of additional facilities, including a community centre, a primary school and handy neighbourhood shops. There is a GP surgery eight minutes away by car, and a dental surgery at a similar distance.
When it comes to education, the nearest existing primary school is just two minutes away by car, while older children can walk to school at the ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated Ranelagh Secondary School, or choose an alternative such as Holme Grange School in nearby Wokingham, nine minutes from Osborne Gate.
Prices: Available homes from £214,950.
Find out more about Osborne Gate at Jennetts Park from Redrow.
Banbury Chase in Banbury, Oxfordshire (Miller Homes)
Set in tranquil, semi-rural surroundings, Banbury Chase is about midway between Birmingham and Oxford, and just five miles from the rolling Costwold Hills – yet the M40 is only about three miles away. The historic town centre is less than half an hour's walk away from the development, and there are also primary schools within walking distance.
Hardwick shopping centre is fifteen minutes’ walk from Banbury Chase, with a Co-op and a pharmacy, and there are other shopping precincts within about a mile's radius offering convenience stores, newsagents, a second Co-op with post office facilities, an Aldi supermarket and a recycling centre.
Banbury's pretty centre combines traditional independent traders and modern high street stores and amenities, with a good mix of cafés, restaurants and pubs; a twice-weekly town market; a monthly Farmers’ Market; and the modern Castle Quay Shopping Centre housing more than 50 major high street stores. There are some lovely walks along the Oxford Canal towpath, and the town has an excellent museum and gallery, green spaces such as Orchard Park and Spiceball Park, and sports facilities at Spiceball Leisure Centre.
And for commutes and trips elsewhere, direct trains run from Banbury Station to London Marylebone, around an hour away, as well as Birmingham, Oxford, Bournemouth and many other destinations.
Prices: From £229,995.
Find out more about Banbury Chase from Miller Homes.
Fairfields in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (David Wilson Homes)
Several virtual home tours are available online for this development to help prospective buyers decide whether it is the right site for them, offering a broad picture of what's available while it's not possible to visit the site. As always, sales staff can also answer queries by phone or email about the development and the local area.
Fairfields is in a sought-after part of the town just down the road from Stony Stratford, surrounded by a country park. It is made up of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes and has a school on site. There is a wide range of leisure pursuits is the area, including Centre:MK, Willen Lake, the Theatre District, Xscape and Sno Zone. The location also provides easy access for commuters to the M1 and the A5, opening up routes north and south, while London is just 33 minutes away by train from Milton Keynes station.
Prices: £341,995 to £656,995.
Find out more about Fairfields from David Wilson Homes.
Lyewood in Boughton Monchelsea near Maidstone, Kent (Crest Nicholson)
Traditionally-styled two- three- and four-bedroom family houses are for sale at this attractive new development in the Kent village of Boughton Monchelsea, which is in the Quarry Hills – between the North Downs and the Weald of Kent.
The village has several amenities including a primary school, a village hall, a recreation ground, a pub, a post office and a village green, and is surrounded by historic houses such as Boughton Monchelsea Place, the Grade II-listed Tanyard, Brishing Court and Lewis Court.
Ideally located just three miles south of Maidstone, residents at Lyewood can take advantage of the nearby town's shops, educational options, cultural venues, museums, transport links and pleasant walks along the long-distance Medway Valley Walk trail, which passes through the town. Maidstone is ranked in the top five shopping centres in the south east of England for shopping yields and has more than one million square feet of retail floor space, most of which is in the two main shopping centres: The Mall Maidstone Fremlin Walk. By road, the A20 runs through Maidstone and the M20 motorway runs to the north. In fact Maidstone is a hub for other major roads, too, including the A229, A249 and A26. The M2 motorway is a short distance to the north.
Prices: From £374,995 to £499,995.
Find out more about Lyewood from Crest Nicholson.
Cherry Tree Lane in Ewhurst, Surrey (Millwood Designer Homes)
In the Surrey village of Ewhurst, Cherry Tree Lane is home to a collection of elegant one- to five-bedroom homes which reflect the local area's architectural heritage while at the same time offering spacious and light living accommodation designed for modern living. The homes will be interspersed with green space and a preserved pond, giving the development a natural feel.
The village is ideal for buyers who want a peaceful rural setting with good access to local amenities, including good schools, independent shops, a village hall and community centre, and good transport links. Cranleigh is less than two miles down the road, offering a good set of traditional village amenities such as a butcher, farm shop and fishmonger as well as a Sainsbury’s and M&S Foodhall, pubs and restaurants. By road, the A24 connects local routes in the area, and the M25 and the rest of the motorway network can be accessed via the A3 at Guildford.
Prices: From £399,950 to £1.25million.
Find out more at www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk or call 01483 677663.