The current crop of newly built homes in Hertfordshire are well worth a look, finds Johnny Turner
Hertfordshire is a county with a lot to offer – pleasant countryside, well-connected market towns, good schools and fine property. There are currently a number of winning developments that are convincing both Herts natives and incomers that this region is on the up.
Barratt is showing its green credentials at its newly released mixed-use development on the former site of the British Aerospace factory in Hatfield. Equinox will generate its own heat and electricity and is set to play a major part in the regeneration of Hatfield.
The residential element at Equinox comprises 267 homes, both private and affordable, with an Eco-rating of ‘Good’. There will also be a medical centre, a 115 place nursery, a Sanctuary Housing Association nursing home, 35,500 square feet of bar, restaurant and retail space, a 120 bed hotel, a public house and a purpose-built bus interchange.
What makes Equinox stand head and shoulders above other mixed-use schemes of this size is that in delivering a sustainable community, it has also addressed important environmental issues, such as carbon savings, with an innovative on-site centralised heat and electricity network.
The technology used will be Combined Heat and Power (CHP) provided by Utilicom, whereby an engine is installed to produce the majority of the electricity for the development, with the waste heat from this unit fed into the heating/hot water network. This approach overcomes the enormous wastage normally associated with large, inefficient power stations and the huge losses that occur in the National Grid. The CHP unit is backed up by conventional boilers and the grid, to give a high security of supply, and will provide more than 65% of the energy required by the Equinox development.
Glyn Hopping, managing director at Barratt North London says: ‘Equinox is not only addressing the high demand for one and two bedroom apartments in Hatfield, it also includes a lifestyle element, with the retail and leisure areas providing the infrastructure to support a vibrant and popular place to live. Sales of the new apartments have been going well since their recent launch; prospective buyers seem to appreciate we are building such an innovative, environmentally friendly development.’
Equinox offers a choice of contemporary apartment styles, many of which have balconies. Smart designer kitchens sport integrated stainless steel appliances and modern technology requirements have been catered for in all bedrooms and living rooms, with these fitted with digital satellite TV connections. All master bedrooms include their own shower room. Every apartment has a video/audio entry-phone system and allocated private parking.
The development is located conveniently near to the University of Hertfordshire and to the famous Galleria Outlet Centre, which has more than 60 stores and a cinema complex. For sports enthusiasts, the Next Generation Health and Fitness Club, one of largest gyms in Europe, is housed in the listed Hatfield Aerodrome Hanger, next door to Equinox; Barratt is offering each buyer a year’s free membership.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments at Equinox start from £165,000 and two bedroom apartments start at £190,000. For further details, telephone the sales and marketing suite on 01707 267153, which is open between 10am and 6pm from Thursday to Sunday and between 2pm and 6pm on Mondays.
Adam and Tricia Tonkin, their two sons Luke and Toby and their daughter Sophie recently moved home to the award-winning four-bedroom detached gatehouse at Twigden’s Homes’ impressive Victorian-style Fairfield Park development. Set in 168 acres of parkland in Stotfold, just across the Bedfordshire border, a consortium of developers are together providing over 900 new homes here. As Tricia says: ‘We fell in love with the gatehouse as soon as we saw it. It is very, very special and I still can’t quite believe we are now living here!’
Initially the Tonkin family had had no intention of moving home! As Tricia explains: ‘We had tried to sell our house, but the sale kept falling through, which was extremely stressful. We therefore decided to stay where we were and had just spent quite a lot of money on landscaping and new furniture – but then we saw an ad for ‘Fairfield Park’ and decided to take a look at it. What initially attracted us is the fact that the homes here are all very individual with lots of character. It would be easy to believe that some of them here have been here for quite a long time.’
Having seen the development once, they decided to go back for a second look. This time they visited the gatehouse show house, which was for sale. Tricia says: ‘As soon as we saw it we knew that this was where we wanted to live.’ However, this time round they weren’t taking any chances on the sale of their house falling through. Instead they took advantage of Twigden’s part-exchange scheme, which gave them a guaranteed buyer and they were able to plan their moving in date. ‘It was wonderful not to have all that pressure and worry’, explained Tricia. About a month later they were in their new home.
At Fairfield Park, there really is something for everyone. Whether you choose to buy a two-bedroom or a five-bedroom house, you can rest assured that all of Twigden’s homes at ‘Fairfield Park’ benefit from the same level of care and attention to detail. Whilst the development itself has been designed to replicate an urban Victorian landscape, Twigden are offering a choice of Victorian or contemporary interiors according to the house design. This gives purchasers the best of both worlds depending on their individual taste.
While Victorian features dominate at Fairfield Park, modern facilities have been carefully integrated into the scheme and will include a community centre, a convenience store, tennis courts, trim trails and play areas in addition to the existing cricket and bowls amenities which have club membership facilities.
Purchasers can currently choose from two-bedroom houses at £229,995, three-bedroom houses from £289,995, and five-bedroom houses from £544,995. A choice of four-bedroom houses will be available when the next phase of development is launched.
Twigden have won many awards for the new homes at ‘Fairfield Park’, the most recent being the prestigious gold award for ‘Best Development’ at The Daily Telegraph What House? Magazine awards 2005. At the same awards the imposing gatehouse show house, now home of the Tonkin family, won the silver award for Best House.
Three fully-furnished show homes at Fairfield Park are open seven days a week from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 pm whilst a detailed scale model enables purchasers to envisage how this attractive development will look on completion. For further information please contact the site sales team on 01462 684687.
For details of all Twigden’s developments visit twigdenhomes.co.uk
In Harpenden, Bryant at Hatching Green, the greatly anticipated collection of two bedroom apartments and three, four, and five bedroom luxury homes in Harpenden, is due to launch in May.
The exclusive development from leading house builder Bryant Homes is set within the grounds of Rothamsted Manor, on the edge of Rothamsted Park. It will provide homebuyers with unique and luxurious 'barn' style homes in fantastic surroundings, close to local amenities and transport links.
Bryant Homes' Regional Sales Manager, Heather Holl, said, ‘Bryant at Hatching Green is a development of exceptional quality and is ideally suited for couples, families or those looking for a home in a secluded setting. The prestigious area, coupled with the picturesque scenery and varied selection of properties, will make Hatching Green highly desirable.
‘We've already had a great deal of interest from prospective purchasers eagerly awaiting the first release of properties, so with this in mind I'd recommend that buyers act now and register their interest to make sure they are among the first to receive an invitation to our exclusive launch where price and build information will be released.’
Ideal for commuters, Bryant at Hatching Green is situated just one mile from the local station that provides transport to central London in around 25 minutes. There is also good access to regional motorway networks, and a fine selection of local schools and amenities in the area.
For more information on the Bryant at Hatching Green development call 01206 578492 alternatively log on to bryant.co.uk.
Higgins Homes’ new development, Rivière, in Hertford, Hertfordshire boasts nearly every one of these attributes on its doorstep, and as a result has attracted many property investors and private purchasers. Rivière is located on the banks of the River Lea and comprises 78 luxury one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses.
Tony Yianni, who owns a north-London based brickwork company called Winchmore Brickwork Ltd, has recently added two apartments at Rivière to his existing property portfolio of more than ten properties within the Hertfordshire area. He explains: ‘Hertford has a lot to offer in terms of location and lifestyle and it’s an obvious choice for people looking to move out of London but who want to be within easy commuting distance. I chose to invest in Rivière largely due to its proximity to the station and the town, and also for its spectacular riverside position which is unrivalled by other developments in the area.’
Most of the Rivière apartments feature a private balcony or roof terrace offering stunning views of the river, and an electronically accessed underground car park provides secure, allocated parking for each apartment. There is a range of floor layouts and the apartments feature modern, designer inspired interiors including fully-fitted Urban Myth kitchens, complete with Smeg integrated appliances and fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom.
The development is set within landscaped communal grounds and boasts spectacular views of the River Lea and surrounding countryside. The charming town of Hertford is approximately one mile from Rivière along the river’s leafy tow path, offering a wide selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Two major supermarkets are also close by as well as a large fitness club with swimming pool, tennis courts and a bowling green.
Hertford East, a charming listed station, is less than 200 metres from the development and offers a regular service to London Liverpool Street station in just 48 minutes.
First completions are expected June 2006. The show apartment is launching Saturday 22 April. Prices start from £245,000 for a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. For sales enquiries, contact Higgins Homes 01992 503600.
Set in over 72 acres of listed woodland on the outskirts of St Albans, The Arboretum consists of 545 homes, comprising new and refurbished one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and three-, four- and five-bedroom town houses. All of the properties boast the high quality of design that is synonymous with Crest Nicholson homes.
The homes and apartments at The Arboretum offer well proportioned, light filled interiors that provide all of the comforts of modern living. The attention to detail that is apparent in the refurbished and new-build external features have been replicated throughout the interiors of the houses and apartments.
Crest Nicholson has ensured that each property at The Arboretum benefits from private space, and the homes are interspersed among acres of mature woodland and leafy courtyards offering peaceful settings for romantic strolls.
The Arboretum is well placed for both City and country, surrounded by beautiful countryside and yet only 20 minutes from the City of London by train. The M25 is a short drive away which is great for getting into or away from the capital.
Just under 4 miles away from St Albans train station, peak time Thameslink trains take around 20 minutes to travel direct into Kings Cross. As well as providing connections to the London Underground, the Thameslink service also offers direct trains to Moorgate, London Bridge and Luton and Gatwick airports – ideal for work and leisure.
The homes at The Arboretum feature fully fitted kitchens with a comprehensive range of Bosch appliances in stainless steel, including an oven and stainless steel hood/extractor or canopy. The bathrooms include fully fitted Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware in white, complemented by Hansgrohe taps and fittings, together with a choice of stylish ceramic wall tiles.
Currently at The Arboretum, prices for two-bedroom refurbished apartments start at £369,950 and the two, three and four bedroom houses are priced from £274,950. For further information please contact the sales and marketing suite which is open seven days a week from 10am-5pm, or Tel: 01727 820730 or visit the-arboretum.com