New Homes - Hertfordshire

Amanda Shiel takes a look at the latest homes available in this picturesque county

Bushey Heath
Fairways is a traditionally styled six-bedroom residence. Internally, the luxurious kitchen/breakfast room incorporates all the latest Miele appliances set within an extensive range of custom built storage units and worktops. The five bathrooms enjoy stylish contemporary white suites and the bedrooms are fitted with fine Italian wardrobes.
A great emphasis has also been placed on security. Fairways has the advantage of a sophisticated video entry system, alarm system and CCTV for added peace of mind.
Outside, the landscaped garden too has been specially designed to create the perfect place to relax or entertain and includes state-of-the-art pop-up irrigation system. There is even a balcony from the master suite and a superb terrace from which to fully appreciate the grounds and magnificent views on offer.
Situated in sought-after Prowse Avenue, this elegant home offers a degree of seclusion whilst remaining close to shops, leisure facilities, places of worship, transport links and good schools. More extensive amenities can be found at nearby Stanmore and Watford, while Brent Cross shopping centre is a short drive away.
Priced at £4 million. Potential buyers are invited to attend a special launch event on 10-11 May 2008 from 10am-4pm. For further information or to make an appointment, please contact selling agents Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626 or visit prestonbennett.co.uk.

Broxbourne
New River Mews comprises 13 three-bedroom houses and one four-bedroom house. Configured in a private mews, the houses include either a garage or a carport.
Each property is fitted with a stylish Urban Myth kitchen, with stone composite work surfaces and stainless steel Miele appliances, which include an electric oven, microwave, gas hob and a Siemens integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. Other features include under floor heating, wireless intruder alarm system and a central audio system.
Broxbourne is a typically English hamlet of Victorian and Edwardian descent and is centred on the beautiful St Augustine’s church which dates back to 1460. Broxbourne retains its rural feel, with local shops available in the village. High street stores and large department chains can be found in Hertford just six miles away.  
New River Mews is ideally situated for the commuter being approximately 29 minutes to London Liverpool Street, approximately 16 minutes to Hertford and approximately 48 minutes to Cambridge by train. By road, Broxbourne is easily accessed by the M25, M11 and A1.
Prices for a three-bedroom house start from £450,000. Purchasers can also benefit from either stamp duty refund or part exchange. Sales and marketing suite and show homes are open everyday from 10am-5pm. For further information call 01992 465452 or visit  higginshomes.co.uk.

Watford
Harvest Gate is in a central location, close to a choice of supermarkets and just a five-minute drive from The Harlequin, a fantastic shopping environment with 130 outlets.
The area is also home to a leisure park with cinema, bowling and children’s activities, a peaceful common, a selection of golf courses and a sports centre and swimming pool, while the bars and restaurants of Watford offer a vibrant night-life.
Garston Train Station is within walking distance of Harvest Gate, offering a regular service to St Albans Abbey and putting Central London approximately 40 minutes away, while buses run to Watford Junction and Watford High Street. The M1 and M25 are less than ten minutes away from the development.
A range of two-bedroom apartments are currently available from £192,500, three-bedroom homes priced £287,500 and spacious four-bedroom homes at only £299,950.
Visit the Sales Centre, located off Harvest End, Watford and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am - 5.30pm and Mondays from 10am until 2pm, or call the Sales Executive on 0845 671 1844. Alternatively, visit georgewimpey.co.uk.

Bushey
The Collection comprises 13 one- and two-bedroom apartments and is ideally located just a short distance from Bushey’s high street and all its amenities. Nearby Watford also boasts a full range of high street stores, bars and restaurants.
The development’s location is also ideal for commuters, with access to the M1 and M25 motorways. Bushey railway station is within easy reach for train services to London Euston in just 20 minutes. Heathrow airport is approximately 13 miles away.
Prices for the apartments start at £249,950.
For further information call 0845 260 0154.  

Stevenage
Intro Homes is bringing a collection of homes to Stevenage that offers first time buyers the chance to get on the property ladder in the most sought after Old Town area.
Vincent Place is the transformation of the former B&Q site, located towards the southern end of the prestigious old town high street, into a collection of 109 one- and two-bedroom apartments.  Stevenage Old Town has a combination of history and character with a buzzing and vibrant high street that boasts both contemporary and traditional shopping facilities, along with historic buildings, coaching inns, wine bars, pubs and restaurants.
The development is situated just minutes from Stevenage Railway Station. A direct train to London King’s Cross takes only 23 minutes.
Prices currently start from £169,995 with the first completions planned for late 2008/early 2009. Contact either the selling agent, Putterills on 01462 453195 or Intro Homes on 0800 169 6679. Alternatively visit introhomes.co.uk.

Bushey
Finch Lane comprises one and two-bedroom apartments with secure underground parking.
Providing well-proportioned accommodation and a choice of layouts, the development exudes quality and convenience in terms of its location and internal specification. Each apartment benefits from a spacious lounge and fully fitted kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances including fan assisted oven, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and washer dryer.
Bathrooms feature classic white sanitaryware, chrome Grohe taps, fully tiled bath and shower area plus matching floor tiles. The bedrooms, meanwhile, benefit from fitted wardrobes to maximise storage space.
Externally, the mature gardens have been attractively landscaped to create an ideal setting, while a sophisticated video entryphone system and smoke detectors provide added security and peace of mind.
Bushey provides a diverse selection of shops, high street chains, restaurants and bars, while the surrounding area boasts several golf courses, green-belt countryside and leisure facilities. For an even wider choice of shops and entertainment, Watford is also close by with its renowned Harlequin Shopping Centre.
The development is within easy reach of the M1 motorway as well as Bushey train station, with frequent services into London Euston. Alternatively, Stanmore’s Jubilee Line tube station provides the nearest tube link into Central London.  
One-bedroom apartments are priced from £210,000, two-bedroom properties start from £305,000. Please contact Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626 or visit prestonbennett.co.uk.

Hitchin
Shanly Homes has just released Walsworth Mews, a new gated development of 11 two- and four-bedroom houses, two one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment.
Homes all have fine quality, contemporary fitted kitchen units with square edge laminate work tops and upstands, stainless steel double ovens, gas hobs and extractor hoods. Integrated fridge/freezers and washer/dryers are also standard.  
All homes will be supplied with green electricity, sourced from a wide range of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, small scale hydro, bio-mass and organic waste material. High efficiency double glazing will reduce the heat needed and energy efficient appliances will also be fitted as standard. Additional environmental features include dual flush 6/4L WC systems, energy efficient light fittings, bird boxes and water butts for each garden.These technologies will also help limit CO2 emissions.                                                                                                                   
Prices at this development start from £169,950.
For more information contact the sales agents Putterills on 01462 632222 or visit the website at shanlyhomes.com. 

St Albans

Victorian houses are ‘the most desirable properties for UK homebuyers’ according to a recent survey by a leading home warranty provider*. The Arboretum, Crest Nicholson’s parkland development in Hertfordshire, is set to tick all the boxes for admirers of this traditional architectural style, in addition to providing all the benefits of a luxurious new home.
The Victorian villa was voted the most popular house type by 25% of survey participants, firmly holding on to its position over the last decade at the top of UK househunters’ wish lists.
Set in over 72 acres of mature wooded parkland, The Arboretum is the conversion of the former Victorian Napsbury Hospital in Napsbury Park, Hertfordshire, and its grounds into a mix of converted and newly built one, two and three bedroom apartments and three, four and five bedroom houses.

Located in secluded glades, leafy courtyards and smart tree-lined avenues, the classic Victorian style properties blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Many of the houses and apartments occupy the fine Victorian buildings that lie at the heart of this exclusive country retreat whilst others are newly constructed, influenced in equal measure by the original architecture and the needs of modern living.

Sarah Jones, Sales and Marketing Director, Crest Nicholson (Chiltern) Ltd, comments: “The use of traditional craftsmanship at The Arboretum and the attention to both period and contemporary detail has returned the Victorian facades of the original buildings to their former glory. The result is a stunning development which people who appreciate the style of the Victorian period will fall in love with.

“As part of Crest Nicholson’s comprehensive strategy, great care was also taken to preserve the natural landscape and retain the magnificent trees and original wooded grounds, all of which contributes to the overall period charm of the development.”

Externally, decorative cornices, coping and pillars have been retained or replicated and windows have been adapted to suit modern requirements, but remain in keeping with the original sash design. The interiors of the apartments and houses incorporate creative architectural detail such as fireplaces, traditional skirting, architrave and ornate cornices. 

Surrounded by countryside of outstanding natural beauty, yet only 20 miles from the heart of London, The Arboretum provides the best of both worlds. For links with the national motorway network and Heathrow Airport, Junction 21A of the M25 and the M10/A414 are both within six miles. From St Albans station, direct First Capital Connect trains reach City Thameslink station in around half an hour (peak time), giving access to the heart of London.

With unprecedented demand since The Arboretum’s launch in 2002, now is the last chance to own a piece of this historical site.  One and two bedroom apartments are still available and start at £249,950 and three bedroom houses are available from £449,950.

For further information on The Arboretum, contact the marketing suite on telephone: 01727 820 730 or visit Crest Nicholson’s website www.crestnicholson.com

Rickmansworth
Discerning purchasers in search of new three or four bedroom properties will welcome the launch of Capricorn Homes’ premier development of townhouses in Rickmansworth this weekend.

Conveniently situated just off the Uxbridge Road, the development, known as Church Grove, represents a rare opportunity to secure a stylish new home in such a desirable commuter belt location, priced from £389,995.

Developed to the highest specification, the unveiling of the three bedroom Croxley show home on Saturday 13 January marks a first for Capricorn’s southern division, a new and fast expanding house builder with a growing portfolio of high quality sites in the UK.

The three storey, three bedroom Croxley show home has been designed and furnished in a peacock blue and cream theme by internationally renowned Claude Hooper Interior Designers.  This stunning presentation is set to capture the hearts and minds of both young professionals in search of more space, or families looking for flexible accommodation.  

Built over three storeys and incorporating a single garage, the Croxley boasts a clever design with modern-day living in mind.

No expense has been spared as far as the specification is concerned, and the show home features a wide range of added extras, which are included as standard, at no additional cost.

A stylish kitchen featuring gloss cream units awaits visitors to the new show home and exudes the wow factor with its fitted range of Siemens appliances.  

Moving home to Church Grove is certainly a haven for mod cons with the inclusion of a double oven, gas hob, chimney hood, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and a dishwasher.  The ground floor is therefore very much the hub of the home, with the kitchen and dining area just perfect for relaxing, with French doors providing direct access to the garden.

The Croxley’s spacious living room which measures 15’ 5” x 12’ 10” is located on the first floor and naturally benefits from the added light that fills the room, creating a bright and airy presence.  Bedrooms two and three can also be found on the same level, together with a separate bathroom.

The master bedroom is definitely the highlight of the house, providing a luxurious sanctuary for busy parents or those just looking for added privacy.  This dream room occupies the whole of the second floor, sharing its space only with the en-suite facilities. The master bedroom also benefits from fitted wardrobes, TV and telecom points.

Also included in the price of each home is ceramic floor and wall tiling from the Porcelanosa range as well as downlighters to the kitchen, bathrooms and cloakroom.  The Ideal Standard Studio range of sanitaryware, Mira thermostatic showers and screens, heated towel rails and taps by Bristan ensure such high standards are ever present in even the smallest rooms.  

The same attention to detail is also extended outside to each property; front gardens are turfed and driveways feature block paving.

The discovery of Church Grove is expected to fuel interest with the opening of the show home, as Mo Griffiths, area sales manager of Capricorn Homes said:  “With new property a rare find in Rickmansworth, and with Capricorn offering part-exchange on its homes for a limited period of time, buyers are urged to act quickly.”

Living on the edge of Rickmansworth town centre, the development offers easy and direct access into London via tube or train, which is ideal for commuters wanting a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Nearby access to the M25 motorway is another major plus to this select development of 18 properties.

The former market town of Rickmansworth has excellent schools and sports facilities and is well serviced by a variety of shops and restaurants.

Church Grove is open to visitors from Thursdays to Mondays, 11am – 5pm. Alternatively, further information can be obtained by calling the sales office on 01923 775232 or by visiting www.capricornhomes.co.uk

Hemel Hempstead
abode@riverside, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Comprising 70 one and two-bedroom apartments within a striking eight storey building, abode@riverside will also feature a communal roof terrace and gated undercover parking. Interiors are of a high standard, synonymous with the Crest Nicholson brand, and include De Dietrich appliances in the kitchen and Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware and Hansgrohe taps in the bathroom. The development is in the heart of town centre with shops and restaurants such as Debenhams, Pizza Express and Monsoon right on the doorstep.

For commuters, abode@riverside is just over a mile from Hemel Hempstead train station from which London Euston can be reached in 30 minutes. The M1 is just under three miles away allowing easy access to the M25.

One-bedroom apartments start from £169,950 and two-bedroom apartments start from £204,950. 

For more information contact the sales team on telephone: 0870 755 1641 or visit www.crestnicholson.com

Kings Langley at The Ovaltine Apartments.  There is now a selection of two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses at the new development that are all ready to go.  What’s more, they offer plenty of generously proportioned living space, making them ideal for coping with the inevitable visitors that descend during the Christmas period!

“At this time of year, house buyers really don’t want to have any extra worries or problems as Christmas can be stressful enough on its own,” said Ann Lever, Sales Director for Fairview New Homes.  “In view of this, we are pleased to offer a selection of superb homes at The Ovaltine Apartments which are now build-complete and ready to move into.  If you snap one up now, you could be celebrating Christmas in style.”
The Ovaltine Apartments have been created from the former Ovaltine factory site in the town.  
The original factory façade remains, a typical streamlined white Art-Deco-style edifice built around 1930.  Behind it, Fairview has constructed a range of bright, modern apartments with two to three bedrooms and a choice of different sizes and floorplans.  
Currently available and ready for Christmas occupation are these three, stunning homes: a two-bedroom, two-bathroom corner apartment, priced at £ 269,995 and offering a spacious 900 sq ft of living space with exceptional light and space, fifth floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse offering 906 sq ft of accommodation includes its own terrace at a price of £304,995 and a three-bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a generous 930 sq ft of living space is ready to go from £279,995.  
Each apartment or penthouse offers luxuriously designed living accommodation with en suite facilities, fully fitted kitchens with appliances and granite-effect worktops, and many apartments have balconies with views over the gardens.  There are also underground and undercroft residents’ parking facilities.

The development enjoys an idyllic location right on the edge of the Grand Union Canal which offers a delightful and tranquil environment for soaking up the waterside vistas, as well as fishing, strolling, picnicking and cycling.  There are also fantastic communications from this great location; the major towns of Hemel Hempstead and Watford are just a short distance away and London Euston station is accessible in just 27 minutes by train.
Prices for at the Ovaltine Apartments start at £269,995 for a two-bedroom apartment.  The development is set to complete in late springtime 2007 and a new three-bedroom showhome will be opening in January.  For further details please call The Ovaltine Apartments sales office on 01923 268921 or visit fairview.co.uk.

Bricketwood

Country & Metropolitan Homes has launched its J6 development, situated conveniently between Watford and St Albans. J6 is strategically positioned off the M1 and M25, a perfect location for discerning buyers who consider excellent commuter links a must.
Quick access to the UK’s main motorway network is a major advantage to people who live their lives in the fast lane, and living at J6 will enable you to minimise travel time and maximise your time at work and the even more precious, your time at home to relax.
This stunning development from the award-winning house builder Country & Metropolitan – part of the Gladedale Group – will comprises of 48, one and two bedroom contemporary apartments over two phases.
The first phase of J6, comprising of 24 apartment is now released for sale. With pre-launch prices starting from £224,950 there is expected to be high demand from potential homeowners keen to secure a property in such a sought after location.
J6 is a mere 30 miles from London and will be built within the popular village of Bricketwood, Hertfordshire, providing a peaceful haven from the constant buzz of the capital.
Country & Metropolitan prides itself on building homes that adhere to three principles – superior specification, bespoke design and exceptional build with the prefix of quality in everything it designs – and this is clear at J6.
The spacious design of the apartments are tailored to contemporary living in the 21st century with generous living/kitchen areas providing ample space for entertaining. When completed, each home will come with the latest in modern appliances, including a stainless steel oven, hob and extractor hood, as well as a washer/dryer. Secure underground parking is also included in the price of your new home.
Interested home-hunters are invited to view a model of the development at local agents Preston Bennett. A show home is expected in April 2007, with the completion of phase one to follow in June.
For more information call Preston Bennett on 020 8954 8626.

This ambitious development on the Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire border is one of the South East’s most desirable places to buy.
With an increasing shortage of available land for housing and pressure from the government to take more care of the environment, making the most of existing space is high on developers’ list of priorities these days. And developments such as Fairfield Park do exactly that.

Fairfield Park is an imaginative project in Arlesey, Bedfordshire, breathing new life into a former Grade II Victorian mental asylum and its 173 acres of grounds. The hospital was closed down in 1999 and became derelict, and is now the centre of a multi-million-pound scheme in which a consortium of builders will provide around 1,000 new homes.

The regeneration aspect of Fairfield Park is not its only attraction. Villages are racing back into fashion, popular with those who are tired of the anonymity of the cities and keen to be part of a community; and this collection of homes is perfect in that respect. Not only does it offer communal space and facilities for all residents, it also offers proximity to excellent transport links so that those who work in the cities can have the best of both worlds.

The setting is fantastic – Fairfield Park is situated in mature parkland just a short drive from the towns of Letchworth and Hitchin, and is only two miles from junction 10 of the A1(M). There is easy access to London via railway stations at Hitchin, Letchworth and Arlesey – all of these stations run regular services to King’s Cross. And for frequent flyers, Luton Airport is just over ten miles away.
Fairfield Park is ideal for families. Educationally, the area is served well with pre-school, nursery, primary and secondary schools in Stotfold, Arlesey, Letchworth and Hitchin, as well as North Herts College, which offers further education opportunities. These nearby towns also offer a wealth of leisure, entertainment and shopping facilities, including cinemas, swimming pools, sports centres, golf courses, restaurants, bars and clubs.

Stamford Homes offers wonderful homes in a prime Fairfield Park setting. There is a range of stunning three- and four-bedroom terraced and detached family homes, including the impressive three-bedroom Newton design, which currently has a series of special offers available on plot 137.
Living and sleeping areas are spread over three spacious floors and can be adapted to suit individual requirements and lifestyle needs. Priced at £375,000, the Newton comes with free carpets throughout, as well as turfed and landscaped gardens. Stamford Homes is offering three per cent deposit paid, which marks an extra saving of £11,250.

Prices at Stamford Homes’ development at Fairfield Park start at £255,000. The sales office and show home are open daily from 10.30am to 5pm. Contact the sales team on 01426 835192.
Bryant Homes has just launched its Fairfield Park development. The selection of unique one-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes is available for house hunters to buy off-plan. A show home is planned for later in the year.

Bryant Homes’ prestigious development will offer a wide range of house styles to suit all needs. The Barns is an imaginative refurbishment on the grounds of the 19th-century Fairfield Hospital – a magnificent Grade II listed landmark featuring one bedroom apartments and two bedroom homes. Three-bedroom homes will also be available, along with a single four-bedroom property called the Farmhouse, a spacious family home with contemporary styling and features, two en-suite bathrooms, three reception rooms and a large kitchen/breakfast room.
All the homes are built to a high specification with double glazing, gas central heating, fitted kitchens with oven, hob and hood, integrated appliances including fridge freezer, washer dryer and dishwasher and ceramic floor and wall tiles. 

This exclusive new development from Bryant Homes follows on from the company’s other successful developments in the area including Northfield Grange and Grange View.
Regional senior sales manager, Heather Holl, said: ‘We expect our Fairfield Park development to attract a great deal of attention from house hunters as Bryant is well known in the area. Not only will purchasers be attracted to the unique lifestyle and stunning surroundings that the development will have to offer, there is also the added convenience of great commuter links.’
Prices for these stunning new properties start from just £175,000. Call the marketing suite, open daily, on 01462 733785.

Miller Homes currently offers properties ranging from two to five bedrooms. With two-bedroom apartments priced from £189,950 and ready to move into, there will definitely be a lot of interest from first-time buyers. These are ‘detached’ apartments built over garage blocks and finished to an excellent specification.
The range of houses includes the popular Alice design, a three-bedroom terraced home, available from only £229,950. There are also four-bedroom houses, many including such features as a garden room or family room, priced from £334,995. Top of the range is the Victoria five-bedroom home, priced at £549,995.
Miller Homes at Fairfield Park is located off the Hitchin Road out of nearby Stotfold. The sales centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm and can be contacted on 0845 676 0171.
Charles Church has a wide range of homes at Fairfield Park, including two-, three-, four-, five- and six-bedroom homes, each designed in keeping with the Victorian style of the development.
Prices currently range from £179,995 to £619,995. The sales office is open 11am to 5pm. For further information call 01462 835407.

Charles Church has announced the launch of a second phase of luxurious new homes. The
selection of 28 newly designed properties with include some with beautiful views of the surrounding parkland. The homes offer purchasers the opportunity to buy a Charles Church home designed specifically to complement its natural surroundings and established properties in the area.
Each home features superb levels of specification, including a well-planned and imaginatively-designed kitchen fitted with a luxurious range of units including oven, hob, and hood, as well as integrated dishwasher and fridge/freezer. The spacious living area is ideal for the family to relax in together and boasts superb French doors which flood the room with natural light.
The lavish master bedroom comes with its own en suite shower room for added convenience. Further bedrooms will be served by the main family bathroom featuring sleek white sanitaryware and enhanced by chrome fittings.
For further information or to register your interest please contact Charles Church North London on 0845 121 2211 or visit charleschurch.com.

Twigden Homes will be developing over eight acres of the Fairfield Park project, creating a variety of Victorian-style houses and paying particular attention to detail. Care has been taken to ensure that the development is sympathetically designed to blend with surrounding countryside and architecture.
Twigden’s contribution to Fairfield Park will be built in four phases and will offer a range of house types from two to six bedrooms, terraced to detached. Interiors will include both traditional Victorian-style and contemporary designs.
The sales office is open daily. Call 01462 683537.

With great commuting and abundant natural beauty, Hertfordshire offers buyers a complete lifestyle. Johnny Turner looks at what’s on the market.

Those who are shopping for a new home will find a great mix of variety and quality in the county of Hertfordshire. With lovely market towns, commuter hamlets and buzzing high streets, it represents the best of modern living. The current selection of homes includes a wide range of types and sizes, not to mention prices.

In Hemel Hempstead, Crest Nicholson offers 70 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a convenient town centre location. abode@riverside is proving very popular with a wide range of buyers, both owner-occupiers and investors. The homes are located within the hub of Hemel Hempstead’s new Riverside retail and leisure development, and all elements of the town centre lifestyle are in place: shopping, entertainment and commuting are very close by.
The striking eight storey building will feature a sky-level communal roof terrace, the first of its kind in Hemel Hempstead, as well as gated undercover parking. Interiors are of a high standard and specification includes De Dietrich appliances in the kitchen and Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware and Hansgrohe taps in the bathroom.
A typical two-bedroom apartment offers a spacious combined living room and kitchen, a master bedroom with en suite, a second single or double bedroom and a further family bathroom. Some of the properties have terraces that lead from the living areas and the bedrooms.
 
For commuters, abode@riverside is just over a mile* from Hemel Hempstead train station from which London Euston can be reached in 30 minutes*. The M1 is just under three miles* away allowing easy access to the M25.
 One bedroom apartments start at £169,950. Call selling agents Aitchisons 0870 755 1641 or visit crestnicholson.com
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In sought-after Barnet, Barratt has already sold over half of the properties at Osidge Park, located on Russell Lane. The development will comprise 159 private homes, offering a choice of one- and two-bedroom apartments – many with balconies – along with four bedroom town houses.
The development, located at Russell Lane, will have two entrances, each with electronically operated gates. The high-quality specification includes well-designed fitted kitchens offering integrated appliances including stainless steel ovens, hobs and hoods, dishwashers and washer-dryers. Contemporary bathrooms have classic white suites and the master bedrooms include en suite shower rooms.
Residents will be able to enjoy beautifully landscaped communal gardens which include two water features complete with fountains. In addition, the town houses will have their own front and rear gardens. All properties at the Osidge Park will have private parking and the apartments will have audio/video entry systems.
Prices start at £220,500 for one-bedroom apartments, while town houses start at £440,000. The sales office and show apartments at Osidge Park are open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm and Monday 2pm to 6pm. Please telephone the sales office on 020 8368 4827
or 020 8368 4238.

Taverners Court  
Developer: KingsOak North London
Location: Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire

Taverners Court comprises 90 one and two-bedroom apartments in a prime town centre position that enables easy access to the local shops and restaurants. Barclay Park is just a short walk, offering an abundance of green open space. The stunning two bedroom apartments feature stainless steel appliances in contemporary fitted kitchens, (plus washer/dryer), well proportioned living areas and balconies on many designs. All come with private parking behind electronic gates and the reassurance of a 10 Year NHBC Warranty.

Hoddesdon is located close to the A10 and less than 7 miles to the M25, making it a favoured choice with commuters wishing to gain easy access to London and the South East. The A1 (M) and M11 are also easily accessible from here providing good commuting to Cambridge and the North. The local train station, Rye House, brings a journey to central London within around half an hour, and also links directly to the Victoria tube line and Stanstead Airport.

For further information for further information please telephone the Sales Office on 01992 442 781. Alternatively you can visit www.kingsoakhomes.co.uk.


Development: Queensgate
Developer: KingsOak North London
Location: Watford, Hertfordshire

Get closer to a brand new lifestyle that awaits you at Queensgate, a stylish new collection of one and two bedroom apartments and duplex penthouses available in the heart of Watford.
Located just yards from the town centre means you are never far away from shopping, leisure and entertainment that makes people from all over Hertfordshire and London visit this vibrant town. You are just yards from the Harlequin Centre, offering two floors of over one hundred and thirty designer and high street shops.
There are a choice of private fitness centres including Sportz Academy with state of the art equipment, gyms and workout classes. For nightlife, you are equally spoilt for choice, with an abundance of bars, bistros and restaurants, Jongleurs comedy club for upfront comedy, the newly refurbished Palace Theatre and the multi screen cinema and leisure facilities of Woodside Leisure Park are just snapshots of what Watford has to offer.
You'll also benefit from excellent travel links in this highly commutable location. Just twenty miles from the City and approximately twenty three minutes by train from Watford Junction to London Euston, hours once spent commuting are a thing of the past. For road travel the A41, M1(J5) and M25(J19) are all within five miles for travel in and around Hertfordshire, London, and further afield to the West and the North.
The specification of Queensgate befits the quality design and location. Designer fitted kitchens with stainless steel oven, chimney extractors and hobs, spacious living/dining rooms with some providing doors onto balconies or terraces, modern white bathroom suites with chrome fittings, video entry phone and private allocated parking all go on to make these stunning apartments a new landmark in Watford.
For further information for further information please telephone the Sales Office on 01923 256 538.
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Award-winning housebuilder Linden Homes is encouraging purchasers to come along and view the stunning new Show Home at Tantarra Place. The recent launch of this smart 3 bedroom property at Herkomer Road in Bushey, attracted a host of enquiries and is a fine example of the high standard of homes at this development.

This imaginative mix of 14, three bedroom townhouses and one and two bedroom apartments is generating a significant amount of interest and with the Show Home now open to the public, this demand will inevitably increase.

The Show Home is a stylish 3 bedroom townhouse over three floors, with ample living space provided by the dining room, living room and family room. The contemporary open plan kitchen and family room is a perfect area to socialise, with light flooding in from the French doors leading to the low maintenance, landscaped garden. A garage is also provided to the rear of the property.

Helen Todd, Sales and Marketing Director for Linden Homes Chiltern, comments: ‘We’re delighted with the level of interest we have received with the launch of the Show Home. Not only will it give customers a better idea of the standard of finish they can expect, but also lets them see what can be achieved using great decorating and furnishings in their own homes. If this response is indicative of what is to come, these homes look set to be snapped up very quickly indeed.’

What sets this development apart is the different mix of homes available. There is something for everyone with individual designs, providing a variety of styles and budgets. However, there is no compromise on the level of quality and each home benefits from the same meticulous attention to detail and high standard of finish.

Situated in the popular commuter town of Bushey, Tantarra Place is conveniently located for both the superb local amenities and first class transport links, with the M1 and M25 in close reach along with fast train services to London Euston.

Prices for the apartments start from £234,950 and homes from £465,000. Incentives* are currently being offered for those who reserve their new home off-plan.

For further information on Tantarra Place call Linden Homes Chiltern on 020 8950 3952 or visit the company website at lindenhomes.co.uk.
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LAST CHANCE TO BUY AT NEXUS

Time is running out for homebuyers to snap up that perfect property, as award-winning housebuilder, Linden Homes, announces that it only has 1 apartment remaining at its sought-after Nexus development.

This stunning collection of 13, stylish 2 bedroom apartments on Holywell Hill in St Albans, has enjoyed great success, as the demand for apartments in this sought after city has reached new heights.

Increasingly, purchasers in this area are looking for low maintenance apartments over houses, for the fuss-free, modern lifestyle it offers. The properties at Nexus are particularly fortunate as they benefit from both a fantastic design and a superb location.

Helen Todd, Sales & Marketing Director for Linden Homes Chiltern, comments: ‘This development ticks all the boxes, it offers low maintenance homes with contemporary, luxury interiors in a desirable location. This, combined with the fact that demand for apartments in St Albans is high, means that the development has proved incredibly popular. I would recommend that anyone who is interested in owning the last unexpectedly available apartment, to get in touch with us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.’

Nexus benefits from a prime position, situated within easy reach of the town centre, local rail links, and M25 and M1 motorways. The beautiful Verulamium Park is just opposite offering attractive open parkland, and purchasers will be able to enjoy views over the cathedral spires.

Not only is the location exemplary, but all of the apartments boast a superior specification with chic stainless steel appliances in the fitted kitchen and natural granite worktops.

The remaining apartment is priced at just £310,000. For further information on the Nexus development please call Linden Homes on 01895 827 447 or visit the company website at lindenhomes.co.uk
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Furlong Homes’ riverside development, Central Walk in Bishops Stortford.

Central Walk is a tempting selection of 208 one and two bedroom contemporary apartments from the leading housebuilder – part of the Gladedale Group – occupies a central position within the town off Anchor Street.

There are so many benefits to living at Central Walk and everything is literally right on its doorstep. Residents can enjoy its waterside location on the River Stort and you also have easy access to London and Stansted airport from Bishops Stortford station which is only a two minute walk away. In addition Cannons Health Club gives you the ability to work, rest and play close to home.

And now Furlong is making it easier than ever for buyers to kick-start their new lives with the offer of a £1,000 discount and a 12 month free membership to the popular health club with pool, gym and spa.

Both the location and the design of the homes at this development ensure that residents will enjoy a better way of life.

A relaxed atmosphere can be felt throughout the five blocks of apartments as generous living areas, complete with kitchens, ensure there is plenty of space for both entertaining and relaxing and large windows fill the room with natural light creating a bright and airy feel.

All kitchens include contemporary fitted kitchen units with stainless steel appliances and integrated fridge/freezer and washer/dryer. Ceramic floor tiles are also included in both kitchens and bathrooms as standard. Some of the two bedroom apartments include en-suite facilities in the master bedroom as well as a main bathroom.

A number of the apartments also feature balconies from the living areas which provide a scenic outlook across the River Stort.

Forming part of the Stort Valley Way, the housebuilder is upgrading footpaths along the banks of the river providing the perfect setting for relaxing strolls. Benches will also be added so people will be able to sit and relax as they take in the views.

Ann Moriarty, Sales Director for Furlong Homes, said: ‘Every aspect of Central Walk has been designed to make life more enjoyable for its residents and convenience is a key theme to the development.
 ‘Where else can you walk into town with its array of shopping facilities, commute easily to London and beyond, work out, and enjoy river views within such a short distance of your home?
 ‘Whether you are looking for good amenities such as Cannons gym, riverside location or just contemporary spacious living, this development has it all.
 ‘At Furlong we are committed to meeting the needs of potential homeowners and the offer of a free membership to a gym that is right on your doorstep is a perfect example of this. Not only will buyers be able to enjoy moving into their new home but they will also be able to relax with a spot of exercise or some pampering at the spa.’
Prices start from £174,995. The Marketing Suite at Central Walk is open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

For further information please contact 01279 758702
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Fusion in Enfield by award-winning housebuilder Linden Homes. This stunning development of 24, one and two bedroom homes is a great investment, which could also provide a substantial rental income of around £900 a month*.

Situated in the bustling town of Enfield, Fusion is just minutes from the central shopping areas and the town’s mainline station with frequent services to London Liverpool Street, making it an ideal prospect for commuters.

No wonder then that the response at this development has already been outstanding, with 50% of the homes having been reserved. Linden wishes to see this success continue, which is why the company is offering customers an added incentive of your 5% deposit paid, in addition to paying for legal and survey fees*.

Helen Todd, Sales and Marketing Director for Linden Homes Chiltern, comments: ‘The investment potential of these attractive apartments is huge. Not only do they benefit from a high specification and fantastic location, but they are the ultimate in low maintenance, allowing customers to move in straight away without the need to redecorate or renovate. Add to this the fantastic deal of 5% deposit paid and the legal and survey fees paid* and there really is no reason not to reserve.’

Each apartment boasts a designer kitchen, fitted with a host of stylish chrome appliances. The open plan living areas are light and airy, enhanced further by the numerous windows and elegant Juliet balconies to many of the apartments. This gated residence also comes with allocated parking and large communal gardens.

The apartments are priced from £227,950. For further information call the Sales and Marketing Suite open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm on 0208 367 5562.
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Whether you are looking to enjoy a slower pace of life or are simply prefer the larger properties on offer in the countryside, making the decision to buy a home out of the city is a definite lifestyle choice.

Furlong Homes’ latest development, Standon Place near the Hertfordshire village of Standon, will give homebuyers the opportunity to revel in all the benefits that rural life has to offer.

Next month(July 2006), the leading housebuilder – part of the Gladedale Group – is set to unveil its exclusive collection of just 13 four semi-detached and five bedroom detached properties. For buyers who register interest, a special preview event will take place on Saturday 22nd July 2006.

Standon Place occupies a prime location on Standon Hill, just outside the historic village centre and with its fully gated grounds, offers the perfect environment for bringing up a family.

Each of the homes at the development has been specifically designed to reflect the freedom and space of the country. Large living spaces and generous bedrooms combine to create truly desirable rural family homes.

There are five house styles to choose from, allowing potential homeowners to find a property with character that will suit their individual tastes and requirements.

All of the homes benefit from similar features such as a large lounge, en-suite facilities in at least one of the bedrooms and a fully fitted kitchen with integrated fridge freezer and washer dryer.

The four bedroom semi-detached Sunflowers and Reeds house types are three storey properties which allow plenty of space for the whole family to spread out and enjoy their own private space. In the Reeds, the large lounge benefits from a conservatory which overlooks the rear gardens whilst the lounge in the Sunflowers has a feature bay window.

In both homes, the second floor is entirely dedicated to the master bedroom which in the Reeds, has an en-suite shower room and a dressing room and in the Sunflowers, has en-suite bathroom.

The five bedroom detached properties also make full use of space and light to create an idyllic living environment.

The Thistles house type is the ultimate luxury family home. The public areas exude elegance and style which can be enjoyed by all members of the family. A large drawing room has bay windows over looking both the rear and front gardens and adjoins to a separate dining room which in turn leads to the fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room.

There is also a family room with a bay window to the front of the property which could be used as a study, a den or just an alternative lounge. Upstairs two of the five bedrooms have private balconies. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom whilst a second bedroom has an en-suite shower room.

A defining feature of this home is the separate studio area located above the double garage which creates the ideal private space for a teenager or an older relative.

The development is within walking distance from the charming village of Standon and just seven miles from Bishop’s Stortford*. Commuting to London is also made convenient with excellent local rail connections and the nearby A10 which links to the M25.

Ann Moriarty, Sales Director for Furlong Homes, said: ‘Standon Place is a truly remarkable place to live. Everything from its location to the size and quality of the properties makes it a popular option for homebuyers looking to get the most out of rural life.

‘Potential homeowners looking for an enjoyable environment to bring up a family or even those who just prefer a larger residence will become enchanted by this charming development.’

Prices start from £450,000 to £775,000

For further information and to register interest please contact 01992 782201.
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In the Hemel Hempstead area, Linden Homes has sold all of the apartments and two-bedroom houses off-plan at its Eastlands development in Adeyfield, and the remaining three-bedroom houses are unlikely to last long. These homes are perfect for families and young professionals. The area is close to local schools, parkland and local amenities, while the M1 and M25 motorways are close by. Three-bedroom homes start at £284,950. Call 01442 289083.
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Barratt Hands Over 60 Affordable Homes in Hatfield to Aldwyck Housing Association

Glyn Hopping, managing director for Barratt North London, recently handed over 60 homes just completed at Comet Square in Hatfield to the Aldwyck Housing Association.
There to receive the keys to the door of the affordable homes development was Tracy Williams, property services director of the Aldwyck Housing Association, who said: ‘We are proud to be working in partnership with Barratt and Paradigm Housing Association on this development. The entire build and handover process has gone very well. We are delighted with these superb new homes, which will be hugely appreciated by those who live in them.’
The development includes a selection of one and two bedroom apartments available to part buy / part rent under the government-funded New Build HomeBuy initiative, putting affordable home ownership within reach of local people of Welwyn Hatfield.
The Comet Square development, located on the former site of the British Aerospace factory, also includes 140 private apartments, all of which are now sold. Barratt’s latest development in Hatfield, named Equinox, is located next to Comet Square, and this proving just as popular with buyers.

Equinox is set to play a major part in the regeneration of Hatfield. The residential element comprises 267 apartments, with 96 of these affordable homes. 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.
Glyn Hopping said: ‘We are building a total of 156 homes in Hatfield for housing associations, reflecting our commitment to the provision of both private and affordable homes in key locations.’
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 the private homes at Equinox start from £178,500 for one bedroom apartments and from £192,000 for two bedroom apartments. 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. Information on all Barratt Homes developments is available on the website at www.barratthomes.co.uk
If interested in the New Build HomeBuy one and two bedroom apartments available to the local people of Welwyn Hatfield, please contact Lea Valley Homes on 01582 869440.

We take a look at some exciting new homes in a very ambitious development.

With increasing numbers looking for a more balanced lifestyle, with more time for enjoying life, it is no wonder that developments bringing luxury and nature together are so popular. A good example of this trend is Fairfield Park, an imaginative project in Arlesey, Bedfordshire, near the Hertfordshire border. The scheme breathes new life into a former Grade II Victorian mental asylum and its 173 acres of grounds. The hospital was closed down in 1999 and became derelict, and is now the centre of a multi-million-pound scheme in which a consortium of builders will provide around 1,000 new homes.
The regeneration aspect of Fairfield Park is not its only attraction. Those who are tired of the thankless bustle of the city and keen to be part of a community have led the demand here; and this collection of homes is perfect for a lifestyle that makes room for the workaday world but also provides a contrasting experience that lets you recharge your batteries.

Fairfield Park, with all its natural beauty, also offers proximity to excellent transport links so residents really can have the best of both worlds. For commuters to London, Letchworth is a mile and a half away, from where regular trains run to King’s Cross (journey time approximately 35 minutes). There are also train links to Cambridge, Stevenage, Bedford and Luton. Meanwhile, motorists will be only two miles from the A1(M).

The new development is bringing about £4 million of investment to the local area, including a new lower school, the provision of a convenience store, a regular bus service and education contributions totalling £2.2 million. There will also be tennis courts, trim trails and play areas, in addition to the existing cricket and bowls amenities which have club membership facilities.
 ‘There is little doubt that Fairfield Park will be a great place to bring up your children,’ said project director Peter Sutton. ‘The whole design philosophy is to ensure that we create a strong sense of community.’

Educationally, the area is served well with pre-school, nursery, primary and secondary schools in Stotfold, Arlesey, Letchworth and Hitchin, as well as North Herts College, which offers further education opportunities. These nearby towns also offer a wealth of leisure, entertainment and shopping facilities, including cinemas, swimming pools, sports centres, golf courses, restaurants, bars and clubs. Transport-wise the area is lucky, with proximity to three mainline stations (Letchworth, Hitchin and Arlesey), which offer direct services into London King’s Cross and the North. And the major town of Stevenage, with its extensive transport links and leisure facilities, is within a 20-minute journey.
Bellway Homes is offering something special at Fairfield Park is Bellway Homes. Its Oakdene scheme presents 20 three-, four- and five-bedroom houses that offer not only wonderful indoor space but also ample opportunities to connect with nature. Set in mature parkland, the development has the advantage of offering plenty of space for everything from child’s play to ‘green exercise’, from quiet contemplation to brisk walks.

Cars are put in their place at Fairfield Park; necessary though they may be to modern living, a community is better served when the infrastructure of a community gives priority to cyclists and pedestrians. And this is exactly what has been done here; pedestrian walkways and a web of cycle paths throughout the mature parkland setting will enable residents to reach nearby Arlesey, Stotfold and Letchworth without the stress of being behind the wheel.
Chris Edginton, sales director of Bellway Northern Home Counties, says, ‘Oakdene has been designed to be in keeping with Fairfield Park and connect with the surrounding parkland area. The standard house design of modern living space will vary across the development with the use of reconstituted stone, generating a strong visual focus.’

Green policies are given more than lip service, Edginton points out. ‘Each house will have a water butt and water meter, compost bins, and bike storage facility, plus energy-efficient boilers and light fittings.’
Houses at Oakdene are priced from £330,000 for three bedrooms, £300,000 for four bedrooms and £400,000 for five bedrooms. All houses will have landscaped rear gardens. The marketing suite is open Thursday to Monday between 10am and 5pm. Call 01462 731580.

Twigden is another presence at Fairfield Park, and at its latest phase of development purchasers can choose from two-bedroom houses at £229,995, three-bedroom houses from £299,995, four-bedroom houses from £450,000 and five-bedroom houses from £525,000. The gatehouse show house has also just been released for sale, priced at £695,000; this includes carpets, curtains, light fittings, alarm system and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Additionally, one purchaser will be able to buy a six-bedroom Elizabeth house, an impressive three-storey home in a one-off design.
All of Twigden’s homes at Fairfield Park benefit from a high level of care and detail. And at this development which has been externally designed to replicate an urban Victorian landscaped, these homes give purchasers the choice between Victorian or contemporary interiors, according to house design.
Twigden’s show homes are open daily from 10am to 5pm, and a detailed scale modern enables prospective buyers to envisage how this attractive development will look on completion. For further information call the site sales team on 01462 684687.

Persimmon Homes is offering a variety of homes at Fairfield Park, including two-bedroom apartments, priced from £169,950, and three-, four- and five-bedroom houses. Three-bedroom houses start at £189,950, while four-bedrooms are priced from £307,500. Prices for five-bedroom houses are to be released soon.
The Persimmon sales office at Fairfield Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Call 0845 676 0189 to find out more.

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

More and more people are opting to buy in Hertfordshire. Johnny Turner sees what’s available in this lovely, well-connected county.

One of the South East’s fastest-growing counties is Hertfordshire, a location long known for its mix of market towns and modernity, historic sites and commuter ease, this is seen as one of the premier areas in which to live. The current crop of newly built homes consists of all types of homes, offering something for every kind of buyer.

Near Watford town centre, award-winning house builder Linden has launched The Avenue, a select development of just 13 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Prospective buyers can now view the stunning show apartment and reserve their chosen plot.
The Avenue has already shown its popularity: four of the apartments have already been sold off-plan. The nine remaining apartments are ready to move into and are expected to sell quickly, so home buyers should act fast to avoid disappointment
The apartments feature Linden Homes’ usual high quality, with Symphony designer kitchens including integrated stainless steel appliances and stylish tiling. The luxurious bathrooms have pristine white sanitaryware and contemporary chrome taps. The apartments also benefit from private allocated parking.

Getting into the capital is simple. Watford Junction station is within easy reach, from where journey times to London Euston are under 20 minutes. Watford underground station is a short distance away, with its tube services into central London in less than one hour. The M1 and M25 are convenient for motorists.
Prices start at £199,950. For further information call Heather Davies on 01895 827447 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.

In Oxhey, Laing Homes presents Oaklands, a development of 13 three- and four-bedroom houses, six two-bedroom apartments and one bungalow. The location is in the heart of a sought-after area and Oaklands benefits from an acre of public open space set among established oak trees.
Shops and schools are nearby, and transport is convenient, with a station approximately three-quarters of a mile away. There is vast green space very nearby, as well as golf courses and other leisure facilities.

Home types include the Astor.
The three- and four-bedroom homes will all have en suite bathrooms and the majority will have garages. Currently available houses include the Bluebell, which features a kitchen/dining room and is priced at £404,995. The two-bedroom apartments, which are age-exclusive, are priced from £234,995. Register your interest in Oaklands by calling 01923 233708. Visit laing-homes.co.uk.
Beechwood Homes has a strong presence in the county of Hertfordshire, where the company is based, and the latest offerings combine high quality and maximum affordability – to say nothing of the wonderful locations.

The Ridings, located in Woolmer Green, offers beautifully designed apartments and bungalows. Woolmer Green is a small village of fewer than 1,000 people surrounded by rolling countryside, located less than a mile from the larger village of Knebworth and just three-and-a-half miles from Stevenage.
Here you’ll find it’s your choice whether to enjoy the leisurely pace of village life or avail yourself of the commerce, nightlife and leisure opportunities of the larger communities. Stevenage has shopping centre, a well-known leisure park with cinemas, ten-pin bowling and a good choice of restaurants. Woolmer Green is wonderfully connected for London commuters, with the A1(M) only two miles away and Knebworth station providing easy links to the capital and beyond.

Within The Ridings, Stable Mews is a unique scheme of just six converted apartments, each with its own entrance at street level. The variety of layouts ranges from one-bedroom apartments at 400 sq ft to two-bedroom apartments of approximately 750 sq ft. There is gas heating, double glazing, equipped kitchens and bathrooms with Roca sanitaryware. First-time buyer packages are available on selected plots, and on two of the plots carpets and fridge/freezer are included. Guide prices for one-bedroom apartments range from £124,950 to £189,950, while two-bedroom apartments start at £159,950. These homes are ready to move into.

Meanwhile, Blacksmith’s Court is a second scheme at The Ridings which is expected to see completion this year. The new apartments and a rare two-bedroom bungalow are designed around a courtyard setting. The bungalow is designed to Lifetime Homes standards for space and mobility. The apartments have their own front doors at street level and are of varying sizes and accommodation. Gas central heating, double glazing and equipped kitchens will form part of the comprehensive specification. Price guide is £159,950 to £194,950 for apartments and £275,000 for the bungalow.
Further schemes from Beechwood are coming soon. These include two new executive five-bedroom detached homes in Harpenden, as well as a prestigious development of five luxury five-bedroom town houses and one five-bedroom detached home in St Albans. For further information on any of these homes call 01707 664432 or visit beechwood.co.uk.

Rialto Homes has been awarded a prestigious NHBC award for quality at its Canada Fields development in Turnford – one of only five development in the whole of Hertfordshire to be selected. The award is in recognition of the design as well as the attention to detail project manager Luke Heslin and other devoted to making that design a reality.
Canada Fields provides 479 homes, including one- and two-bedroom apartments, and features an attractive programme of landscaping, grassed areas and cycle paths, as well as a wildlife area. Commuters will be especially pleased with the location – it is just 35 minutes to central London via nearby Broxbourne and Cheshunt stations. By road, the development gives easy access to the A10, M25 via junction 25, A1(M) and M11. Stansted Airport is within convenient reach.
Each home has allocated private parking, some in the form of a garage. There is also the invaluable plus of good storage space. Prices at Canada Fields start at £159,995 for one-bedroom apartments and £171,995 for two-bedroom apartments. There are currently generous incentives on offer from Rialto. Call the marketing suite on 01992 442087 or Rialto Homes on 0800 731 4477.

Fairview New Homes is selling Sparrows Herne, a new development near the village of Bushey Heath that is ideal rural retreat for those whose work requires them to travel into the city. Sparrows Herne offers 27 stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments set within landscaped grounds complete with mature trees.
The apartments are contained within five three-storey buildings with warm brick and stone façades. Each light and spacious apartment has an open plan kitchen to the living area, and many offer delightful features such as Juliet balconies, terraces and French windows. Each apartment offers an allocated parking space.

The high level of specification is typified by the fully fitted kitchens with stainless steel appliances such as oven, hob and cooker hood. There is also an integrated fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer, as well as oak-effect laminate flooring. Bathrooms are elegant, with contemporary white sanitaryware, chrome taps and fittings, heated towel rails, contemporary mirrors and vinyl flooring.
One-bedroom apartments start at £214,995 and two-bedroom apartments start at £249,995. Call the sales and marketing suite on 020 8950 7894 or visit fairview.co.uk.

From City Developments comes Minerva Heights, a collection of stunning two-bedroom apartments with beautifully appointed kitchens, modern décor and an allocated parking space. Currently the developer is offering a very attractive package of incentives – the ‘move in for £99’ scheme, in which the five per cent deposit, stamp duty and some legal costs are paid.
One of the great strengths of Minerva Heights is its connectedness. Communications from St Albans are excellent; the district is encircled by the M1, M25 and A1 motorways, and Hemel Hempstead and Watford are each within ten miles. St Albans station provides a frequent service to King’s Cross in only 20 minutes. There is also a service to Luton Airport Parkway taking less than 15 minutes.
Two-bedroom apartments start at £224,995. To find out more contact the marketing suite, open Thursdays to Mondays 10am to 5pm, on 0845 676 0188. Visit persimmonhomes.com.

Fairclough Homes is offering some exciting incentives on its last three remaining homes at Aventine, located on Holywell Hill in St Albans. These are all two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments, ready to move into and available at prices from £299,950.
Purchase one of the remaining homes at Aventine and, subject to terms and conditions, Fairclough will pay the legal fees, including the search fee. It will also pay the three per cent stamp duty on completion, which represents a substantial saving.

Aventine’s ‘walk to everywhere’ location is a definite plus. It is opposite Verulamium Park, a swimming pool and the Abbey Theatre. You can walk to the cathedral in five minutes and the town centre in ten – and there is a supermarket just around the corner.
For longer journeys, Abbey station is just minutes away, from where you can take the Abbey Flyer to Watford. From St Albans station there are fast Thameslink trains direct to London. For those who drive, there is straightforward access to the M10/M1, the M1(M) and the M25.
For further information and an appointment to view call 0845 676 0168 or selling agent Connells on 01727 856781.

Hertfordshire is blessed with many liveable locations – and a wealth of high-quality homes. Johnny Turner snoops around this convenient county and sees what’s on the market.
H ertfordshire is the answer to a home buyer’s prayers. Not only are there easy commuter connections to the capital, lovely landscapes, bustling market towns and pretty villages. This county also offers some of the most attractive and affordable new homes on the market.

KingsOak offers its Dream Start scheme at Taverner’s Court in Hoddeston – an ingenious way to help buyers set foot on the property ladder. Buyers can pay just 75 per cent of the purchase price, deferring payment of the remaining quarter for up to ten years – and with no interest.
‘this is a really unbeatable offers, bringing affordability to the residents of Hoddesdon and beyond,’ says Nina Fitzgerals, sales manager of KingsOak North London. To qualify, buyers must exchange by an agreed date.
Taverner’s Court is a scheme of 90 one- and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Hoddesdon. The town centre location means everything is within reach – good transport, entertainment options, nightlife and abundant green space. The local train station, Rye House, not only offers a half-hour journey into central London but also connects directly to the Victoria Line and Stansted Airport.
Prices currently start at £149,999 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with balcony. Call 01992 442781 to find out more about the homes or the Dream Start incentive scheme.
Furlong Homes is offering buyers a haven of tranquillity with a stunning development of riverside apartments in Bishop’s Stortford. Central Walk is en exclusive collection of spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments designed to the highest specification.

Home owners will be able to escape the stresses of everyday life in these comfortable, beautiful homes.
The first available apartments are in Heron Court, which features on 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments – and with prices starting from £169,950 demand is expected to be very high. Martin Leggett, sales director of Furlong Homes, sayd, ‘Central Walk offers a range of quality apartments situated in an idyllic location with stunning views across the River Stort. We have combined the appeal of spacious living areas with a central yet secluded location to create a truly exceptional development.’
Central Walk provides easy access to Stansted Airport and Cambridge via the M11, which also links to the M25. The marketing suite is open daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm; a show apartment will be opening soon. For further information on Central Walk call 01279 758702 or visit furlonghomes.co.uk.

Beechwood Homes presents two wonderful developments in Hertfordshire – Chaceley Grange at Leverstock Green and The Ridings at Woolmer Green. Chaceley Grange is an exclusive new development of three- and five-bedroom detached homes close to the village green. These spacious homes have well-planned family accommodation and include luxury fitted kitchens, three or four reception rooms, two en suites and video entry gates for privacy and security. Prices start from £750,000. The show home is open Friday to Monday 10am to 5pm. For more information call the show home on 01442 267926. Alternatively contact selling agents Aitchisons on 01442 213446 or Frosts on 01727 861166.
With The Ridings, Beechwood Homes offers a range of apartments along with a single bungalow. Woolmer Green is a small village surrounded by rolling countryside with three pubs, a church, a school and a village hall. The larger village of Knebworth is less than a mile away, where an impressive selection of local shops supply everyday needs, and thriving Stevenage is just three and a half miles away, with its shopping centre and the well-known Leisure Park with cinemas, ten-pin bowling, health club and large selection of restaurants.

Woolmer Green is well located for commuters to London, being only two miles from junction 6 of the A1(M) motorway, while Knebworth station provides easy links to London and beyond. Stable Mews is phase one of The Ridings. This unique scheme of just six converted apartments has its own entrance at street level and offers a variety of layouts ranging from one-bedroom apartments at 400 sq ft to two-bedroom apartments of about 750 sq ft. Gas heating, double glazing and equipped kitchens will form part of the comprehensive specification. Price guide £139,950 to £195,950.
Meanwhile, Blacksmith’s Court is an individual scheme of new apartments and a rare two-bedroom bungalow designed around a courtyard. The bungalow is designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard for space and mobility. The apartments have their own doors at street level and have varying sizes and layouts. Gas central heating, double glazing and equipped kitchens are part of the comprehensive specification. Price guide is from £159,950 to £295,000. For further information contact our sales office on 01438 814705 or selling agents Land and New Homes Countrywide on 01462 431102.

Fairview New Homes has opened a new show apartment at Sparrows Herne on the edge of Bushey Heath, where purchasers will find the advantages of modern apartment living in a quiet rural setting. The location is in landscaped grounds which once belonged to a restored 18th-century mansion on the edge of the country town. The 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments are contained within five newly constructed three-storey, whose warm brick and stone façades complement the existing mansion.
Each apartment is light and spacious, with open-plan kitchen to the living area. Many have features such as Juliet balconies and French windows which lead out to a patio. Each apartment has an allocated parking space.
The new show apartment is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the ground floor, measuring 857 sq ft and providing a particularly generous en suite bathroom with double-width shower.
Bushey Heath is well connected, with junctions 4 and 5 of the M1 only minutes away by car. Metropolitan Line tube services are available from nearby Watford, and frequent peak-time trains from Watford Junction and Bushey stations provide journeys into London Euston in as little as 20 minutes.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments at Sparrows Herne have yet to be released, while two-bedroom apartments start at £250,000. Call the sales and marketing suite on 020 8950 7894 or visit fairview.co.uk.

In Hemel Hempstead, Oakbridge Homes offers a highly sought-after development called Heath Park. Located on Boxmoor, this stylish development of just 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments overlooks Heath Park gardens, Hemel Hempstead cricket ground and the tranquil environs of St John’s church.
Heath Park is only a short walk from the town centre, with its rapidly improving shopping and restaurant facilities, sports centre and railway station. This development is ideal for commuters who need contact with London during weekdays but want a quiet, lovely living environment to which they can escape during off-hours.
Half of the apartments have been sold but there are many one- and two-bedroom apartments left to choose from. Prices start at £177,500. Of particular note is a ground-floor one-bedroom duplex apartment, with its ‘bonus room’, priced at £185,000. All two-bedroom apartments offer an en suite bathroom as well as second bathroom. Contact Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626 or Aitchisons on 01442 213446.

Laing Homes offers an attractive new incentive at its Creswick Place in Welwyn Garden City. The Easymover scheme will be of particular interest to first-time buyers and investors; purchasers benefit from up to £500 legal fees paid, stamp duty paid and fitted carpets. Alternatively Laing Homes can help with the deposit and offer a Homestyle voucher enabling buyers to personalise their new home.
Creswick Place offers 109 one- and two-bedroom apartments set in landscaped gardens in Howlands, only one-and-a-half miles from Welwyn town centre. All properties have their own allocated parking, while spaces are also reserved for visitors.
Specification is excellent, with luxury stainless steel appliances in the designer kitchens and classic Roca santiaryware and chrome thermostatic showers in the bathrooms. Prices start at £149,950 for a one-bedroom apartments, while two-bedrooms are priced from £164,950. A two-bedroom show apartment is now open. Call 01707 351330.

In buzzing Watford town centre, the former Allied Carpets store site in Derby Road is set to become a collection of 94 one- and two-bedroom apartments by award-winning developer KingsOak. The one-acre site is located directly opposite the Harlequin shopping centre.
The majority of the apartments will offer a balcony or terrace, and the development will be built around an attractive raised central courtyard. One major attraction of this development will be the secure underground parking.
The seven-storey building will have a positive impact on this town-centre locale, while helping to address the shortage of high-quality homes in this popular area. Prospective buyers are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible. Contact Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626.
Also in Watford, Linden Homes has launched its stunning new duplex penthouse apartments at the high-style Cassio Metro development, just a short walk from the tube station. The penthouses offer the very best in modern living, with designer Lanzet kitchens and state-of-the-art appliances. There is underfloor heating throughout, walnut staircases and doors, roomy hall space and bathrooms with Philippe Starck-designed sanitaryware.
The development, which is already part occupied and feels very much like a community, is perfect for London commuters – and equally good for investment buyers. The proximity to the tube is an incalculable plus to these beautiful homes, and the gym, swimming pool and sauna are ideal for unwinding at the end of a stressful day.
The penthouses start at £350,000. To arrange a viewing appointment call the sales and marketing suite, open daily, on 01923 229229. Visit lindenhomes.co.uk.

Fairfield Park is an imaginative project just over the Bedfordshire border in Arlesey, which is breathing new life into a former Grade II Victorian mental asylum and its 173 acres of grounds. The hospital was closed down in 1999 and became derelict, and is now the centre of a multi-million-pound scheme, instigated by developer PJ Livesey, to convert it into around 1,000 new homes.
The regeneration aspect of Fairfield Park is not its only attraction. Villages are very much back in fashion, desired by people who are tired of the anonymity of the cities and keen to be part of a community; and this collection of homes is perfect in that respect. Not only does it offer communal space and facilities for all residents, it also offers proximity to excellent transport links so that those who work in the cities can have the best of both worlds.
The new development will include a new lower school, a convenience store, play facilities and a regular bus service.

Educationally, the area is served well with pre-school, nursery, primary and secondary schools in Stotfold, Arlesey, Letchworth and Hitchin, as well as North Herts College, which offers further education opportunities. These nearby towns also offer a wealth of leisure, entertainment and shopping facilities, including cinemas, swimming pools, sports centres, golf courses, restaurants, bars and clubs. Transport-wise the area is lucky, with proximity to three mainline stations (Letchworth, Hitchin and Arlesey), which offer direct services into London King’s Cross and the North. And the major town of Stevenage, with its extensive transport links and leisure facilities, is within a 20-minute journey.
For price information about P J Livesey at Fairfield Park call 01462 735125.