Bedfordshire offers a winning combination of countryside and commuter ease. Johnny Turner looks at what’s on the market in this popular location.
Far enough out of London to be free of the capital when it’s of no use, and near enough to dip in when the mood strikes, Bedfordshire is a county of rolling countryside punctuated by bustling commuter towns. There are many types and sizes of home available in this friendly, thriving county – and the current selection of newly built homes is indeed impressive.
In the attractive market town of Biggleswade, Twigden Homes is selling Roman Place, which is located just off Drove Road. Each one of the selection of three-bedroom homes, priced from £209,995, and four-bedroom homes, which start at £241,995, benefits from en suite facilities as well as either garages or allocated parking.
Those who reserve early will also have a choice from Twigden’s wide range of sanitaryware, wall tiles, kitchens and work surfaces at no additional cost. Meanwhile the developer’s Choices package offers an extremely comprehensive range of additional items that the buyer can also purchase – all of which will be in the home when it’s time to move in.
The location is excellent. The town centre in a ten-minute walk away, while Biggleswade station, with its direct train service to King’s Cross, is also within walking distance. The town centre, which was enhanced in 1998, is a pleasant place to live and work, with its busy Saturday market and plentiful shopping and leisure facilities.
Construction on the homes at Roman Place is underway and the first of the homes will be ready to move into in June. Potential purchasers are welcome to view the detailed plans and specification details at Twigden’s sales office, located within Wilson Peacock on the corner of Market Square in Biggleswade. For further information contact 01767 313080 or visit twigdenhomes.co.uk.
In Leighton Buzzard, Bovis is selling Billington Park, where just four luxury homes remain for sale. As a buyer incentive, Bovis is offering the Home Exchange scheme, which has been specially designed to help ease the pressures of selling an existing house when buying new at Billington Park. The scheme allows purchasers to opportunity to reserve their chosen plot immediately. Bovis will hold the property at an agreed price, with the purchaser’s existing home given in part-exchange. This means there are no costly estate agent fees to pay, nor any need to spend valuable time marketing a property and finding a buyer.
The development is ideal for the commuter, with excellent travel links via the nearby A5 and M1. Billington Park offers easy access to major business centres, with direct rail links straight into London, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Birmingham.
Prices start at £219,950 for a two-bedroom, three-storey Stretton design; the impressive five-bedroom three-storey Ellington home is priced from £339,950; and the four-bedroom Melville show home is currently on the market at £349,950. Telephone the sales manager on 01525 374208 or visit bovishomes.co.uk to find out more.
Also in Leighton Buzzard, Barratt is currently selling two, three- and five-bedroom homes at Kingswood Park. With a location near Page Park, close to both the town centre and the railway station, these homes are wonderfully situated.
All homes offer kitchens fully fitted with oven, cooker hood and hob, spacious living rooms and well-proportioned master bedrooms, some with en suite bathrooms or walk-in wardrobes. Other features include double glazing, energy efficient central heating, front and rear gardens and private parking or garages.
The traditional market town of Leighton Buzzard is a blend of medieval and modern, with old alleys of specialist shops alongside the better-known high street names. Europe’s longest shopping centre, offering an extensive collection of shops under one roof, is less than ten miles away at Milton Keynes.
Leighton Buzzard is excellent for commuters. Fast and frequent train services connect the town with London Euston, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes, while air travellers to Europe can easily access Luton Airport, which lies ten miles east.
Call 01525 376730 for the latest information on prices and availability.
In Luton, Redrow’s Park View is situated opposite a park and beside an area that has been designated a nature reserve, yet is also within easy commuting distance of London and close to Luton town centre.
Both owner-occupiers and investors have opted to buy at Park View. The direct train link to London makes it much favoured by young professionals, while its competitive prices have attracted first-time buyers.
Homes include two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom terraced houses. The apartments have parking spaces, while houses benefit from a single integral garage. All apartments enjoy an open-plan kitchen/living area and, while the ground floor properties have private patios, those on the first, second and third floors have private balconies.
Prices at Park View currently start from £157,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. The three-bedroom Kingston house type is priced from £219,995. Call 01582 400211 for more information.
KingsOak’s Bedford Central is selling quickly. The collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom town houses is located off Hurst Grove in an enviable town centre location. This development is equally ideal for rail commuters using Bedford station or motorists who need easy access to the A6 trunk road or the M1 motorway.
And KingsOak is currently offering an investment package worth £17,000 on selected plots. Prices currently range from £122,000 to £210,000. Get more information by calling 01234 272032.