New Homes - January, 2004

Morden, Surrey

Fairview New Homes is now creating Fountain Grove, a smart development of 12 three-bedroom, two-bathroom houses and 27 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The developer is also offering £15,000 cashback on a selection of these stylish new homes. The three-bedroom houses have been designed in two modern styles, with some comprising a living room, open-plan kitchen/dining room and downstairs cloakroom. The master bedroom boasts en suite facilities. Prices at Fountain Grove start from £259,995. For further details call Fairview on 020 8335 5463.

Barnes, London

With its Milieu development, Laing is offering buyers a lifestyle that is beautiful both inside and out. Milieu is a collection of 19 new and partly refurbished one- and two-bedroom apartments, combining traditional architecture with contemporary style. The development is split into two sections: the River Terrace Apartments, which feature unbroken views across the Thames, and the Village Apartments, which front Barnes High Street. All apartments are highly specified, featuring Alno designer kitchens. Prices start from £320,000 for a one-bedroom property. Call 020 8487 1417.

Worcester Park, Surrey

St James Homes has revolutionised the architecture at Worcester Park with the creation of its new development The Hamptons, a contemporary New England style development designed by architects John Thompson and Partners. When completed The Hamptons will comprise 480 homes, including one- and two-bedroom apartments and four-, five- and six-bedroom houses. Prices start from £380,000. Call 020 8337 3425 to find out more.

Chelmsford, Essex

Barratt is seeing great success with its Aspects development in the heart of Chelmsford, a collection of two-bedroom luxury apartments with more than a dozen different design layouts. Barratt Eastern Counties sales manager Brian Bloomfield says, ‘Since Aspects was announced earlier this year, interest in the development has been immense. Buyers are quickly reserving from the plans and we are confident that the development will be sold well in advance of construction.’ Prices start from around £240,000. Call 01245 262734.

Rottingdean, East Sussex

Charles Church is currently marketing The Cape, a new development of apartments and town houses overlooking the sea. Some homes feature galleries which overlooking living or dining areas, and other unusual features include circular dining rooms lit by full-height windows in some of the homes. Prices at The Cape start from £325,000. Call 01273 390020.

West Malling, Kent

Sunley Walker has now opened a show apartment, designed by award-winning architect Cattell Skinner, at Guys Court in Kings Hill village. The apartment has been inspired by the 1930s Art Deco ‘ocean liner’ style and has a winged building that uses glass and copper panels to create the horizontal lines evocative of the period. Prices at Guys Court start from £285,000. Call 0800 587 3953.
Crawley, West Sussex
Victoria Mews is Charles Church’s new development of 18 town houses, located in a secluded cul-de-sac in the heart of Crawley. The exceptional homes boast three-storey accommodation as well as gardens and integral garages, and have so far attracted a great deal of interest. Prices start from £275,000. Call 01293 515444.

Lingfield, Surrey

KingsOak is currently offering two plots at The Chase, its development of three- and four-bedroom homes located between the North Downs and the Weald. Each home is spacious and well-designed and also comes with the added bonus of carpets, light fittings and curtains included in the price. Prices currently start from £249,995 for a three-bedroom Kempton style home. Call 01342 835124.

Families have particular needs when it comes to selecting a new home. Anna Bowden looks at some developments where these requirements are very well covered.

When it comes to finding a new home, families have lots of requirements. They need space, flexible accommodation and a safe neighbourhood among other things – so what better than to buy a new home tailored specifically for this segment of the population? There are many suitable new homes on the market at the moment, and here we look at a few that really do offer families the whole package.
Bovis Homes is currently offering its hugely successful Cumberland Rise development at Chafford Hundred, which includes a range of four- and five-bedroom room-in-the-roof properties ideal for families. The property designs offer flexible accommodation, as explained by sales manager Andrew Bayley: ‘Our five-bedroom Hartleigh, for example, is a room-in-the-roof home with three floors, which enables us to provide additional spacious rooms. The master suite, including dressing room and en suite bathroom, is situated on the top floor and there’s also a spacious studio, providing the perfect space for a private office, a playroom, a gym or perhaps a sixth bedroom.’
The five-bedroom detached Hartleigh house type at Cumberland Rise costs £349,950. Call 01375 482909 for more information or visit website bovishomes.co.uk.

Belgravia Homes is offering The Grove, a stylish development of just six elegant town houses and two semi-detached houses in a mews style environment in Tulse Hill. The collection of homes combines traditional architectural values with contemporary interiors, a secure environment (perfect for those with small children) and off-street parking. The homes, which are high-specification, also boast up-to-date communication and telecom links. And even better for parents is The Grove’s location – a good primary school is close and there is also a nearby local park.
Three-bedroom town houses at The Grove start from £415,000. Call selling agent Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward on 01689 889449 or visit website kfh.co.uk.

Parents looking for flexible living should look no further than Trevelyan in Windsor, KingsOak’s superior new development of adaptable three- and four-bedroom town houses. The elegantly styled collection of contemporary Canterbury and Richmond town houses – plus some stunning apartments – is set around landscaped squares and pathways and is designed to reflect Windsor’s diverse architectural styles and heritage.
‘The newly released town houses are perfect for those who value flexible living space which can grow and adapt with their own personal circumstances,’ said Silvana Nicholls, sales manager for KingsOak Thames Valley. ‘As these fine homes are arranged over three floors, there is plenty of scope for using your imagination and enjoying an individual layout.’
Prices for town houses at Trevelyan start from £384,995 for a three-bedroom Canterbury style. Call 01753 869429 for details.

Charles Church is having a special open weekend at its Davenport Hide development in Wokingham, on 31 January and 1 February, to showcase the three five-bedroom homes now available. This exclusive development of only three homes has been built in keeping with the surrounding architecture, and each home benefits from good clear layouts and sizeable rooms. Inside, the bedroom suites and family space are all well proportioned, and the fully fitted kitchens feature sleek granite work surfaces, under-mounted sinks, dishwasher, hob and other stainless steel appliances.
Prices start from £765,000. For further information contact selling agent Romans on 0118 974 3500.

Barratt Homes Southern has gone from success to success. We look at the currently available newly built homes from one of the industry’s giants.

Founded in 1958, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Barratt Homes is a major player in the newly built homes industry. Barratt Homes Southern, one of the company’s four UK regions, currently offers a great mix of homes for the buyer who wants quality as well as affordability.
In central St Albans, City Gates is a development of 60 apartments. Such has been the enthusiasm from the buying public that although the construction programme is still months from commencement, only a handful of the homes there remain for sale.
‘These homes are perfect for people who enjoy the buzz of city life, whether they are working in St Albans or London,’ says Michael O’Leary, sales director of Barratt North London, one of the six areas that make up the Barratt Southern region. ‘I am sure this has been the attraction for the majority of our buyers.’

The apartments have streamlined, contemporary interiors. They come complete with fully fitted designer kitchens and have spacious living/dining rooms, slimline heating and double glazing. The development is accessed via impressive electronic gates and includes private allocated parking and communal landscaped gardens. The location is superb – St Albans station is nearby and Chequer Street, with its popular bars and restaurants, is just 250 metres away. Commuters to London will find fast and frequent trains with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes into King’s Cross.
Prices at City Gates start from £315,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. Call the sales office, open all day Thursdays to Sundays and afternoons on Mondays, on 01727 855820.

Another fine example of new homes in Hertfordshire can be found at Signature in Watford, where the homes will appeal to those who seek a thoroughly modern lifestyle. With these two-, three- and four-bedroom homes the emphasis is on contemporary elegance and low maintenance. The architecture uses strong roof lines, full-height glass walls on the upper floors, and sweeping terraces or balconies to most apartments.
Inside the homes there are modern fitted kitchens complete with integrated appliances, along with stylish bathrooms with classic white suites. Most master bedrooms offer en suite shower rooms. All apartments at Signature have private parking; each of the houses has a garage.
Signature is superbly located for commuting. From Watford Junction station you can get fast trains to London Euston, with a journey time of around 20 minutes; you also have the choice of Watford and Croxley tube stations, for quick connections to Paddington and the City. For motorists, the M1 is only two-and-a-half miles away.
Prices range from £219,000 to £330,000. Call 01923 297311 for more information.

There are two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom houses available at Orchard Gate in Ashford, Kent. This Barratt development is set in an excellent location just minutes from Ashford International station, from where either London or Paris is a quick trip. These homes feature designer fitted kitchens, spacious living/dining rooms a garage and/or parking space.
Nearby you will find some of the South East’s most picturesque towns, including the cathedral city of Canterbury, the seaside resorts of Margate and Broadstairs, and beautiful Tunbridge Wells. Prices range from £172,995 to £219,995. Contact the sales office on 01233 625192.

In Streatham, a leafy and lively area of south London, Barratt Southern has just launched a wonderful development of one- and two-bedroom apartments called Park View. Very well located for the shops, pubs and restaurants of Streatham High Road, the development is equally convenient for commuting into central London. Park View is less than a mile from Streatham station, with its frequent trains into Victoria giving a journey time of less than 20 minutes.
These apartments are stunning, with a superb specification which includes designer fitted kitchens and spacious living/dining areas. Most apartment designs feature a terrace or balcony. The homes at Park View range in price from £169,995 to £219,995. A sales office will open soon. Call 020 8522 5555 to find out more.

A show apartment has just been launched at Circa, a fantastic collection of 44 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in Camden. Luxury, security and convenience are the watchwords here. The location is excellent; not only is it right next to Chalk Farm tube, making for a quick and easy journey into the City or West End, but all manner of entertainment and natural beauty is available very nearby. Both Belsize Park and Camden Town are a short walk away, giving you a choice of fine restaurants, hip bars and endless shopping possibilities, plus good cinemas and music venues. Primrose Hill, one of London’s most beautiful spots, is just around the corner.
The apartments have fresh, contemporary interiors, and both the designer kitchens and bathrooms feature low-voltage downlighters. For added security there is underground car parking and each apartment has a video entryphone system.
Apartments at Circa are priced from £302,995 to £504,995. Call 020 7485 8443.

In Bromley, Kent, demand for homes at The ConneXtion has been extremely strong. Over half of the first release of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes have been reserved weeks ahead of construction.
A show home complex is now available, giving prospective buyers a feel of the design and space available in these two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom houses. All of the homes feature spacious living room, fully fitted designer kitchens, master bedrooms with en suite bath/shower rooms, separate fitted family bathrooms, gas central heating, double glazing and either a garage or private parking.

The ConneXtion is being built on the site of the old Bromley Hospital, a good illustration of Barratt’s dedication to regeneration. ‘This is a classic example of the sort of brownfield land the Government wants to see recycled for residential use,’ says Wayne Clarke, Barratt South London’s sales director.
Bromley South station is less than a quarter of a mile away and offers fast and frequent trains to Victoria and Blackfriars, making The ConneXtion ideal for commuters. The development is also perfectly placed for access to good shopping, leisure, nightlife and education.
The first occupations are taking place now; the entire development is scheduled for completion in mid-2005. The latest release of three-bedroom houses are priced from £329,950. Further releases of apartments and houses will follow. For further information call the marketing suite on 020 8773 2728.

Hotproperty’s Anna Bowden heads east to see what the fuss is all about – and likes what she sees.

East London is brim-full of regeneration at the moment, and those looking to live somewhere vibrant, artsy and unpretentious, with convenient and affordable thrown in, should look no further. Part of the regeneration project involves the transformation of run-down or disused buildings into high-quality accommodation, and there are many desirable new developments springing up all over this unsung area of the capital.

Fairclough Homes is offering a fantastic deal at its development The Quarter in St Luke’s Square, Canning Town, where only a few homes remain for sale. At the development, a gated collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments near Canning Town’s transport facilities, Fairclough is offering to pay the stamp duty and five per cent deposit as well as £250 towards legal fees, enabling first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder. Prices start from £165,950 for a one-bedroom apartment. To find out more call the sales team on 020 8317 9555.

Lovell has released preliminary details of two exciting new developments in Hackney and Bow. In the former, Wick Road is a small development of modern one- and two-bedroom apartments with secure basement parking, priced from £142,000. Further details can be obtained by telephoning 020 8986 8176. And at Yallops Yard in Bow Lovell is building one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom houses and luxurious penthouses. This popular location is close to a wealth of local amenities. For further information regarding Yallops Yard call 020 8370 6300.

Delph Property Group has now launched Thirty One Three in Limehouse, a stunning conversion of the historic 19th-century former church mission building opposite St Ann’s church. Purchasers who register interest early will benefit from cash incentives, including legal fees (up to the value of £1,000) and stamp duty paid.
The scheme boasts 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including duplexes, just a short distance from Westferry station. Some apartments feature large terraces leading from the living area, and all apartments have an individual parking space. The building itself is impressive, with a Grade II listed façade – and due to its historic nature the apartments are individually designed and come with a variety of original features, including double height windows and decorative columns.
Richard Page, sales and marketing director, comments, ‘It’s a fantastic scheme which we expect will be popular with people working in the surrounding areas, as Limehouse is equidistant between Canary Wharf and the City yet benefits from a leafy suburban atmosphere. I am confident that these are the best value homes in the area and, with tenants in situ, they represent unrivalled investment opportunities.’
Prices at Thirty One Three start from £195,000 for a large one-bedroom apartment and from £245,000 for a two-bedroom home. To find out more call 020 7907 5555.
There is now a show home open at Telford’s Devons Road Apartments, a select scheme of 24 contemporary one- and two-bedroom homes located five minutes’ walk from Devons Road DLR station. Boasting excellent transport links to both Docklands and the City, the homes themselves offer open plan kitchen/living/dining areas as well as en suite bathrooms to master bedrooms. All ground floor apartments have private gardens, while each of the higher-floor apartments includes a balcony. Set in landscaped grounds on the corner of Devons Road and Violet Road, the four-storey development is well located for the many amenities of the Bow area, one of London’s most up-and-coming locations. Prices for one-bedroom apartments start from £172,500, while two-bedrooms are priced from £212,500 – and the developer is even offering five per cent deposit paid on selected plots! Call 020 8498 6789 to arrange a viewing.

Fairview New Homes is seeing great success with its Beckton development, Alpine Court, which if London’s Olympic bid is successful will be at the heart of the resulting regeneration programme. When completed, Alpine Court will comprise 92 one- and two-bedroom apartments of contemporary design, representing good value for money.
Features of the homes include open-plan living spaces, modern fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances and, in some cases, an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom. And the area too boasts much to please the purchaser, with a nearby golf driving range, an equestrian centre, tenpin bowling, football and cricket pitches as well as a number of fitness centres.
Two-bedroom apartments at Alpine Court start from £177,995, and Fairview is offering £5,000 cashback on selected properties. For sales enquiries call 020 7511 5382 or visit website fairview.co.uk.

Barratt’s The Switch House near Canary Wharf in Docklands will soon see first occupation and is well ahead of the construction programme, with two-thirds of the 60 apartments already sold. The building, which reaches nine storeys, is the transformation of a redundant electricity switching station into a stunning glass and steel cube of apartments overlooking Aspen Way. Barratt East London managing director Richard Reynolds says, ‘The old switching station occupied a prime site just a strolling distance from Canary Wharf – a fabulous location, with a Docklands Light Railway station right next door. That’s why we have worked so hard to produce something that is a modern landmark. It has certainly captured the imagination of the home buying public.’
All homes at The Switch House have fully fitted designer kitchens complete with integrated appliances, and all have balconies or roof terraces. Lifts will serve all floors through stylish communal areas, and residents will also benefit from a daytime concierge service and a health and fitness suite. Private parking is available at an extra cost.
As well as being convenient for Canary Wharf, the City and City Airport, the area also has excellent rail communication links to central London. And for drivers, the new Docklands road network connects with the Blackwall Tunnel, the A13, the North Circular, the M11 and the M25.
A phase of one-bedroom apartments will be released shortly, with prices starting from £250,995. Currently available two-bedroom homes start from £314,995. For further details call 020 7537 4949.

Higgins Homes is currently marketing its new Denmark Wharf development, a new-build mixed-use canalside scheme in the heart of Limehouse. Denmark Wharf is a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes ranging in size from 743 sq ft to 1,184 sq ft.
The design at Denmark Wharf is highly contemporary, with straight lines, needlepoint edges and panoramic windows, but at the same time fits in perfectly with the surrounding warehouse style architecture with its traditional red brick and dark blue tiling. All apartments on the first, second and third floors boast spectacular views over Canary Wharf, enhanced by the floor-to-ceiling glazing, while penthouses on the upper floor enjoy double height glazing. The latter also benefit from the use of private rooftop terraces, although all residents have access to a communal rooftop terrace boasting decking and wooden benches.

Inside the apartments are highly specified, with designer stainless steel integrated appliances in the kitchens including Neff fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. Bathrooms have contemporary sanitaryware from CP Hart and security features include videoentry phone systems and wiring for alarms in each apartment.
Jeremy Marcus, sales director of Higgins Homes, comments, ‘A number of central London businesses have now moved to Canary Wharf. By 2006 it’s estimated that an additional 35–40,000 workers will be based in Canary Wharf. As a result, we envisage a significant influx in young professional residents moving eastwards. For this reason, east London is experiencing an extraordinary surge in property development and regeneration.’
Prices at Denmark Wharf start from £257,950. For further information call Higgins Homes on 020 7001 0801.

Surrey is prime commuter country, and it is easy to see why. Where else can you find such high-quality homes and so many convenient ways into London? Johnny Turner has a look at what’s on offer.

For home buyers who make their living in London but want to live in peaceful, attractive surroundings, Surrey is the obvious choice. Combining lovely countryside, a great choice of commuter options and top-of-the-range homes, this part of the South East is a winner. And there happen to be many excellent developments currently on sale.

Starting near Coulsdon, there are two three-bedroom apartments remaining in Village Square, part of Gleeson Homes impressive Netherne-on-the-Hill development. The ground floor apartment, priced at £395,000 and the first floor apartment, at £399,950, include a wealth of wonderful features, including high ceilings, fitted wardrobes to all bedrooms, Paula Rosa kitchens with integrated appliances and a fireplace in the drawing room. Moving outside, each also offers a private front garden in an Italian style, as well as an allocated car barn.

Situated within the Surrey green belt and less than 20 miles from London, Netherne provides the perfect balance between town and country living. It is set within 180 acres of woodland and countryside and offers very village-style elements, such as a cricket green, community hall and village shop.
And of course commuters will find an easy journey to London. Coulsdon rail station is less than three miles away, offering trains to both Victoria and London Bridge stations. For motorists, there is easy access to Junctions 7 and 8 of the M25 via the A23. Interested parties should hurry to get the last couple of apartments available here. Call the development on 01737 553444 or visit gleeson-homes.co.uk.

Esher is a very sought-after Surrey spot, characterised by good transport links and easy access to the best that life has to offer. Commuters can be in London in 28 minutes by rail or 32 minutes by road. And Asprey Homes’ 110 development gives residents the choice of very convenient entertainment, restaurants and bars. ‘Everything is on your doorstep at 110,’ says Bruce Walker, chief executive of Asprey Homes. ‘The options are endless and the location perfect.’ Located on Esher High Street, 110 will offer ten contemporary-styled one- and two-bedroom apartments. The Asprey focus on complementing the nearby architecture is very much in evidence, with the former pub given a classic exterior. Inside, the apartments will feature a large, open-plan layout to the fully fitted kitchen and dining areas.
‘Due to the development¹s proximity to local amenities and transportation links, we have already received substantial interest from a wide range of purchasers,’ says Walker, ‘including first-time buyers, young professionals and investment buyers.’ Only one one-bedroom apartment is available, priced at £235,000; there are four two-bedroom apartments still for sale, priced from £375,000 to £395,000. For further information on the homes at 110 call selling agent Knight Frank on 01372 464496.

Charles Church offers both apartments and family homes at its Livingstone Park development in Epsom. The Rosebery apartments at Livingstone Park have been designed to offer instant appeal and will feature stylish, well-equipped kitchens and bathrooms; master bedrooms have en suite shower rooms. And these homes have been carefully planned to ensure that many enjoy views across the surrounding 20 acres of landscaped grounds, so there is a real feeling of being in the countryside, even with Epsom town centre only a mile away.

Epsom is a fantastic place to be if you’re in search of shops, bars or restaurants - and it is also an easy place to get out of if you’re headed to London for a working day. Junction 10 of the M25 is approximately two miles away, allowing easy access to the motorway network. And trains from Epsom station will get you into Waterloo in just under half an hour.
For information on prices and availability at Livingstone Park, telephone the marketing suite, open daily from 10am to 5pm, on 01372 741586. Or visit the Charles Church website at charles-church.co.uk.

Leafy and lovely, the town of Reigate is an excellent example of why people love to live in Surrey. And with Bovis Homes’ new Blanford Mews development, there will be even more reason to see Reigate as a first-choice house-hunting destination.
Blanford Mews is an exclusive collection of just 22 properties, providing a wide selection of homes ranging from two-bedroom mews-style homes – ideal for the first-time buyer – plus three- and four-bedroom modern town houses, as well as large five-bedroom family homes. The property range includes innovative ‘room in the roof’ designs, which provide spacious family accommodation over three floors.
The development is conveniently located close to the A25 and both Redhill and Reigate railway stations, offering frequent and direct services to London Bridge and Victoria in approximately 50 minutes. Junction 8 of the M25 is only a few miles away, making for a wealth of commuting options for motorists. Potential buyers are already showing interest in this exciting forthcoming Bovis development. Interested parties are invited to join the waiting list, and will be kept informed as the construction progresses. Find out more by calling the regional marketing office on 01474 879888.

Rushmon Homes is offering prospective purchasers some very attractive incentives at its Montpellier Court development in Walton-on-Thames, a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments. The developer is offering to pay buyers’ five per cent deposit, which could create savings of between £8,250 and £11,500, providing much-needed help to those who have found the first rung of the property ladder elusive.
According to Alan Taylor, sales and marketing director at Rushmon Homes, ‘It is often more difficult to raise a deposit than to arrange a mortgage, so we thought the five per cent deposit-paid scheme could remove this potential barrier to buying a home at our Walton development.’ Taylor also points out that those who have managed to save a deposit will find other great uses for the money they have saved, including furnishing their new home.

All of the homes at Montpellier Court will be equipped with maple high-gloss fitted kitchens with stainless steel fittings, an integrated NEFF oven and electric hob in stainless steel finish and a full-height integrated fridge/freezer. The homes will also be secure and energy-efficient.
Homes are priced from £165,000. For more information about the properties at Montpellier Court – and about the deposit paid scheme – contact Natalie Chambers on 020 8481 7654 or visit the development¹s sales office, open weekends from 10am to 4pm.

Linden Homes South East is starting 2004 with one of the company’s most innovative and exciting projects to date. The Deanery, located in Oxted, will consist of 33 new homes, ranging from two-bedroom to five-bedroom properties in a lovely setting less than 30 miles from London.
Surrounding a classically landscaped central garden, the new homes have been designed to complement the rolling Surrey countryside. The four-acre former hospital site will also include a well-equipped playground and recreation area. The ‘old’ high street, lined with Oxted’s famous 17th- and 18th-century cottages as well as splendid timber-framed pubs which have served locals for six centuries, is also walkable. There is also the ‘new’ high street, offering all the modern amenities residents expect, including supermarkets, a library and even a family-run cinema.
The Deanery is within walking distance of Oxted rail station, making for a very convenient commute into the capital. It is also situated near the A25, and in the catchment area for the highly regarded Oxted School.
Homes are priced from £445,000 to £550,000. For more information on The Deanery call 01883 717272 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.

CDC2020 is selling 14 two-bedroom apartments in its Albany House development in Lovelace Road, one of Surbiton’s most established tree-lined avenues. Features include private off-street parking, a lift to all floors and a video entry system.
Surbiton is a very popular location with commuters, as Surbiton station offers frequent trains to Waterloo. Homes at Albany House are priced from £294,950 to £375,000. For further information call 020 8390 7156.

Copthorn Homes Peckham, London

Apartments – 1 & 2 bedrooms
Prices from £169,995

Copthorn Homes has now sold a number of apartments at its new Southquarter2 development to investors, attracted by the area’s excellent transport links and huge regeneration initiatives. The one- and two-bedroom apartments have been designed with eight different floor plans and are accompanied by a selection of innovative three-bedroom town houses and mews houses. Cutting-edge design creates a great sense of space and light within the properties, with creative use of glass incorporated into bay windows, French doors and rooflight windows. Prices start from £169,995. Call 020 7703 8693.

Barratt Ilford, Essex

Apartments – 1 & 2 bedrooms
Prices from £179,995

Barratt has won consent for a development of 239 city-style apartments in a spectacular series of buildings rising to 16 storeys in the heart of Ilford. The development will be built on the site of the former 1960s shopping precinct called Centreway – and will retain the name. The development, which will feature mainly one- and two-bedroom apartments, will comprise contemporary blue and white towers with contrasting steelwork, curving elevations and triangular balconies to make it distinctive. Prices start from £179,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. Call 020 8514 7125.

Charles Church  Bisley, Surrey

Homes – 4 & 5 bedrooms
Prices tbc

Charles Church has announced a brand new development in Snowdrop Rise, where construction is just about to start. The scheme of just four four- and five-bedroom homes will be set around a courtyard and will feature very high specification. The village of Bisley is just three miles from junction 3 of the M25 and Brookwood station offers a fast service to London Waterloo. For more information, or to register on the waiting list, call 01276 808080.

KingsOak Thames Valley Windsor, Berkshire

Apartments & town houses
Prices from £264,995

An initial selection of nine two-bedroom apartments has now been released at Trevelyan, KingsOak Thames Valley’s latest contemporary development and the redevelopment of a former school site. When completed Trevelyan will feature elegantly styled contemporary town houses and a stunning collection of apartments, set around landscaped pathways and squares. Prices for the first release start from £264,995 for a two-bedroom second-floor apartment. Call 01753 869429.

Laing Homes  Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

Apartments – 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms
Prices from £324,995

Laing Homes is offering downsizers the perfect place to live with its Randulph Villas development, a collection of 43 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments set in beautiful countryside. Ideal for those looking to travel, those whose children have flown the nest or those looking for a more financially-manageable property, Randulph Villas is both secure and affordable. Prices start from £324,995 for two-bedroom apartments. Call 01442 879404.

Redrow Angmering, West Sussex

Semi-detached house – 3 bedrooms
Priced at £194,950

Home buyers will need to be quick if they are to get their hands on a property at Redrow’s Bramley Green development – there is just one remaining! Boasting a spacious lounge, fully fitted kitchen with integrated stainless steel appliances, master bedroom with en suite, double glazing and energy efficient gas central heating, this three-bedroom semi-detached property is available for £194,950. To arrange a viewing call 01256 366450.

Goldcrest Homes  Islington, London

Apartments & live/work duplexes – 1 & 2 bedrooms
Prices from £350,000

Goldcrest Homes is now marketing its Britannia Apartments development, a collection of live/work duplexes and one- and two-bedroom apartments with a host of added extras for residents including an air-conditioned gym, a film room with home cinema system and landscaped communal roof terracing. In addition some apartments have private balconies or terraces. Prices start from £350,000. Call 020 7731 7679.

Barratt  Battersea, London

Apartments – 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms
Prices from £284,995

Barratt’s stunning new £65 million two-acre development Oyster Wharf has now gone on sale, boasting 130 luxury apartments and over 50,000 sq ft of commercial accommodation. The apartments currently for sale comprise one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, most with balconies or terraces. There will also be a fully-equipped health and fitness suite available for residents’ use. Prices start from £284,995 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Hotproperty’s Anna Bowden heads east to see what the fuss is all about – and likes what she sees.

East London is brim-full of regeneration at the moment, and those looking to live somewhere vibrant, artsy and unpretentious, with convenient and affordable thrown in, should look no further. Part of the regeneration project involves the transformation of run-down or disused buildings into high-quality accommodation, and there are many desirable new developments springing up all over this unsung area of the capital.

Fairclough Homes is offering a fantastic deal at its development The Quarter in St Luke’s Square, Canning Town, where only a few homes remain for sale. At the development, a gated collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments near Canning Town’s transport facilities, Fairclough is offering to pay the stamp duty and five per cent deposit as well as £250 towards legal fees, enabling first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder. Prices start from £165,950 for a one-bedroom apartment. To find out more call the sales team on 020 8317 9555.

Lovell has released preliminary details of two exciting new developments in Hackney and Bow. In the former, Wick Road is a small development of modern one- and two-bedroom apartments with secure basement parking, priced from £142,000. Further details can be obtained by telephoning 020 8986 8176. And at Yallops Yard in Bow Lovell is building one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom houses and luxurious penthouses. This popular location is close to a wealth of local amenities. For further information regarding Yallops Yard call 020 8370 6300.

Delph Property Group has now launched Thirty One Three in Limehouse, a stunning conversion of the historic 19th-century former church mission building opposite St Ann’s church. Purchasers who register interest early will benefit from cash incentives, including legal fees (up to the value of £1,000) and stamp duty paid.

The scheme boasts 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including duplexes, just a short distance from Westferry station. Some apartments feature large terraces leading from the living area, and all apartments have an individual parking space. The building itself is impressive, with a Grade II listed façade – and due to its historic nature the apartments are individually designed and come with a variety of original features, including double height windows and decorative columns.
Richard Page, sales and marketing director, comments, ‘It’s a fantastic scheme which we expect will be popular with people working in the surrounding areas, as Limehouse is equidistant between Canary Wharf and the City yet benefits from a leafy suburban atmosphere. I am confident that these are the best value homes in the area and, with tenants in situ, they represent unrivalled investment opportunities.’
Prices at Thirty One Three start from £195,000 for a large one-bedroom apartment and from £245,000 for a two-bedroom home. To find out more call 020 7907 5555.

There is now a show home open at Telford’s Devons Road Apartments, a select scheme of 24 contemporary one- and two-bedroom homes located five minutes’ walk from Devons Road DLR station. Boasting excellent transport links to both Docklands and the City, the homes themselves offer open plan kitchen/living/dining areas as well as en suite bathrooms to master bedrooms. All ground floor apartments have private gardens, while each of the higher-floor apartments includes a balcony. Set in landscaped grounds on the corner of Devons Road and Violet Road, the four-storey development is well located for the many amenities of the Bow area, one of London’s most up-and-coming locations. Prices for one-bedroom apartments start from £172,500, while two-bedrooms are priced from £212,500 – and the developer is even offering five per cent deposit paid on selected plots! Call 020 8498 6789 to arrange a viewing.

Fairview New Homes is seeing great success with its Beckton development, Alpine Court, which if London’s Olympic bid is successful will be at the heart of the resulting regeneration programme. When completed, Alpine Court will comprise 92 one- and two-bedroom apartments of contemporary design, representing good value for money.
Features of the homes include open-plan living spaces, modern fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances and, in some cases, an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom. And the area too boasts much to please the purchaser, with a nearby golf driving range, an equestrian centre, tenpin bowling, football and cricket pitches as well as a number of fitness centres.
Two-bedroom apartments at Alpine Court start from £177,995, and Fairview is offering £5,000 cashback on selected properties. For sales enquiries call 020 7511 5382 or visit website fairview.co.uk.

Barratt’s The Switch House near Canary Wharf in Docklands will soon see first occupation and is well ahead of the construction programme, with two-thirds of the 60 apartments already sold. The building, which reaches nine storeys, is the transformation of a redundant electricity switching station into a stunning glass and steel cube of apartments overlooking Aspen Way. Barratt East London managing director Richard Reynolds says, ‘The old switching station occupied a prime site just a strolling distance from Canary Wharf – a fabulous location, with a Docklands Light Railway station right next door. That’s why we have worked so hard to produce something that is a modern landmark. It has certainly captured the imagination of the home buying public.’

All homes at The Switch House have fully fitted designer kitchens complete with integrated appliances, and all have balconies or roof terraces. Lifts will serve all floors through stylish communal areas, and residents will also benefit from a daytime concierge service and a health and fitness suite. Private parking is available at an extra cost.
As well as being convenient for Canary Wharf, the City and City Airport, the area also has excellent rail communication links to central London. And for drivers, the new Docklands road network connects with the Blackwall Tunnel, the A13, the North Circular, the M11 and the M25.
A phase of one-bedroom apartments will be released shortly, with prices starting from £250,995. Currently available two-bedroom homes start from £314,995. For further details call 020 7537 4949.

Higgins Homes is currently marketing its new Denmark Wharf development, a new-build mixed-use canalside scheme in the heart of Limehouse. Denmark Wharf is a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes ranging in size from 743 sq ft to 1,184 sq ft.
The design at Denmark Wharf is highly contemporary, with straight lines, needlepoint edges and panoramic windows, but at the same time fits in perfectly with the surrounding warehouse style architecture with its traditional red brick and dark blue tiling. All apartments on the first, second and third floors boast spectacular views over Canary Wharf, enhanced by the floor-to-ceiling glazing, while penthouses on the upper floor enjoy double height glazing. The latter also benefit from the use of private rooftop terraces, although all residents have access to a communal rooftop terrace boasting decking and wooden benches.

Inside the apartments are highly specified, with designer stainless steel integrated appliances in the kitchens including Neff fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. Bathrooms have contemporary sanitaryware from CP Hart and security features include videoentry phone systems and wiring for alarms in each apartment.
Jeremy Marcus, sales director of Higgins Homes, comments, ‘A number of central London businesses have now moved to Canary Wharf. By 2006 it’s estimated that an additional 35–40,000 workers will be based in Canary Wharf. As a result, we envisage a significant influx in young professional residents moving eastwards. For this reason, east London is experiencing an extraordinary surge in property development and regeneration.’
Prices at Denmark Wharf start from £257,950. For further information call Higgins Homes on 020 7001 0801.

Wandsworth, London

Antler Homes is now offering its Pavilion Square development near Wandsworth Common in south-west London, a stylish collection of 14 one- and two-bedroom contemporary apartments and 16 three- and four-bedroom period style town houses. As its name suggests, Pavilion Square has been traditionally designed to represent a residential square, but all homes are high-tech, with multi-media systems, and accommodation is flexible and generously proportioned. Prices start from £224,950 for an apartment and from £595,000 for a town house. For information call 020 8769 2503.

Maldon, Essex

Countryside Properties has incorporated extra security features to the design of its properties at The Courtyard, including burglar alarms and panic buttons, to give residents extra peace of mind. Managing director Chris Crook says, ‘Even though the majority of buyers are mainly concerned with security while in their home, there are a growing number of purchasers who are looking for a secure property that they can ‘lock up and leave’ when going on holiday. The homes at The Courtyard are suitable for both requirements.’ Prices start from £280,000. Call 01621 840860.

Stoke Newington, London

Laing Homes’ new development The Point is an excellent new collection of homes located just three miles east of the City, perfect for commuters. Homes are all pre-wired for home networking and entertainment and frequent rail services take residents into Liverpool Street, where there are a number of convenient tube connections. Laing is offering 100 per cent part exchange or stamp duty paid at The Point among other deals. Prices for remaining mews houses start from £449,950. Call 020 7275 9118.

Shinfield, Berkshire

Crest Nicholson South is seeing success at its Montague Park development, where a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes is available for sale in a peaceful residential location. Less than four miles from Reading, the development is superbly placed for commuters and for those who want country living within striking distance of city life. Prices at Montague Park start from £199,950 for a two-bedroom home. Call 0118 988 5704 for more information.

    
Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire

Wilson Connolly has now sold nearly all of its properties at Buckingham Court, a high-specification development of 74 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes a mere stone’s throw from Milton Keynes where a range of excellent education, leisure, retail, fitness and cultural facilities will ensure a varied and enjoyable lifestyle. Prices start from £134,950 for remaining two-bedroom apartments. Call 01908 216849.

Epsom, Surrey

Try Homes is now launching Livingstone Park, a new development on the site of the former Horton Hospital. The collection of 61 luxury apartments will be housed within four of the surviving late Victorian buildings, including the former administration block, and will boast many original features including sash windows, large floor-to-ceiling heights and red brick detailing. To register interest call 01372 385170.

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Bellway is offering a Move In for £250 scheme at Clipstone Brook, a development of 51 one- and two-bedroom apartments within two three-storey buildings. The developer is offering to pay all of the stamp duty and deposit plus legal fees of up to £750 for purchasers, an excellent deal. Prices start from £115,000 for one bedroom and £136,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, with a parking space included. Call 01525 376350.

Caversham, Berkshire

KingsOak Thames Valley has seen amazing success at its exclusive HighGrove development with over 40 per cent of the properties now sold. The development, a collection of 30 two-bedroom apartments, is within easy reach of the M4 and is commutable to both London and Reading and the excellent job and entertainment possibilities they offer. Prices for remaining apartments at HighGrove start from £182,995 for a two-bedroom ground-floor apartment. Call 0118 947 7846 for details.

Kent is a great combination of lush countryside and commuter convenience. And its wide choice of new homes includes everything from reimaginings of Victorian splendour to luxury apartments, finds Johnny Turner.

Kent is both well connected and cosy, offering easy and convenient access to London and a green and pleasant environment in which to live. There are some fantastic new property options around, with both new homes and redevelopments on the agenda for prospective buyers this year.
Rydon Homes has created an inspired collection of seven homes in Tunbridge Wells, including six four- and five-bedroom villas and one three-bedroom coach house. These homes were designed by award-winning architect Philip Andrews and influenced by the renowned 19th-century architect Decimus Burton, bringing a 21st-century version of fine Victorian style that will be sure to please prospective buyers.

Known as Decimus Place, this development offers classical design combined with the abundance of space that today’s buyer demands. The villas reflect the palladian ideal of the four-square villa, with carefully considered proportions that emphasise dignity and quality. Detailing includes semi-circular fanlight windows as well as circular ones. The main entrance leads to an impressive hallway, which in turn gives way to a generously proportioned drawing room that is flooded with light from large windows. A second reception room, also on the ground floor, is suitable for use as a study, family room or music room.

In the four-bedroom villas, set over three storeys, the ground floor also offers a kitchen separated from the dining area by concealed sliding doors; both rooms have French windows leading out on to a patio area, ideal for dinner parties on summer evenings. The five-bedroom villas, which have four storeys, offer the choice of a separate kitchen and dining room, as well as a utility room. All principal bedrooms have access to a balcony via French windows, generous fitted wardrobe space and an en suite bathroom. Four-bedroom villas provide principal bedrooms with an en suite room that can be used as a walk-in wardrobe or nursery. Second bedrooms in all the villas have an en suite shower.
Decimus Place is situated in a mature landscaped setting in the heart of a conservation area. Tunbridge Wells is a charming and very popular Georgian spa town with beautiful surrounding countryside, upmarket restaurants and bars, and fantastic commuter connections by both road and rail. To find out more about Decimus Place, call the Rydon Homes marketing suite on 01892 521919.

Another Rydon development in Tunbridge Wells is proving a hit with buyers. At Molyneux Place the developer has restored the town’s highest residential building to its full Victorian glory, creating 40 luxury apartments. ‘The interest has been tremendous,’ says Ann Fulker, Rydon Homes’ sales and marketing director. ‘We are receiving dozens of appointments for viewings every day.’ Get more information about Molyneux Place by calling the marketing suite on 01892 616186, and see what other residential treats Rydon Homes offers, both in Kent and throughout the South East, by visiting rydonhomes.co.uk.

Luxury apartments are also available at Swan Hill’s Sovereign House. Each of the six individually designed two- and three-bedroom apartments has a range of special features, including granite work surfaces in the kitchen and en suite facilities to both the master and second bedrooms. There is the latest in home technology, including high-speed data and digital satellite cabling, as well as alarm-linked smoke detectors. Most apartments offer secluded balconies or terraces.
Prices for the remaining apartments start at £299,950; the development also includes one splendid four-bedroom penthouse, priced at £950,000. Interested purchasers may contact selling agent JDM on 020 8325 8000 for a personal appointment.

With today’s high demand for new homes, buying off-plan is becoming more and more common. At Roman Heights, Bellway Thames Gateway South’s development in Maidstone, prospective purchasers are viewing plans of the development with a view to purchasing now and moving in after the development’s completion later this year. The 36 two-bedroom apartments are priced from £132,000; there are also 16 two-bedroom houses priced from £152,000 and 20 three-bedroom houses at prices starting from £163,000.

Roman Heights is located off Postley Road, within walking distance of Maidstone town centre’s wide range of supermarkets, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and pubs. With the added bonuses of walks along the River Medway, Maidstone Castle and many other great ideas for days out, the town offers a varied and vibrant lifestyle. This is also a very convenient commuter location, with frequent trains to London Victoria taking just over an hour. For motorists, the M20 is nearby. To view plans of the apartments and houses, contact a sales consultant on 01622 766030.

With the modern focus on high-density house building, brand new bungalows are something of a rarity these days. The single-level house style, however, remains popular, and RPC Land & New Homes offers something special near Maidstone with White Cottage Mews. This collection of three-bedroom bungalows on the edge of Harrietsham village represents excellent value for money; priced from £249,000, they are traditionally styled and offer well-planned accommodation.
The homes incorporate the latest technology in terms of energy efficiency, with modern insulation, uPVC double glazed windows and a security system. The interior layout includes a spacious living room with feature fireplace, conservatory/dining room opening on to the rear garden, quality fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, luxury en suite shower room to the master bedroom and a principal bathroom. And subject to the stage of construction, buyers have a choice of sanitaryware, kitchen units and worktops. Each bungalow will have a garage, located in two blocks at the front of the development, as well as a private garden.

Harrietsham is a superb location, with orchards, strawberry fields and hop gardens, and the village vibe is very much alive in the shops, pub, primary school and train station. The homes at White Cottage Mews also boast very easy connections to both London and the Continent. Obtain more information by calling RPC Land & New Homes on 01622 691911.

Interest is high in Appledore Developments’ Elmfield Place, a new collection of just ten two-bedroom luxury apartments in Tenterden. Located just outside the town centre and designed in the Arts and Crafts style, the development combines great design with convenience.
There are four duplex garden apartments on the lower ground and ground floors; four apartments on the first floor; and two large penthouse apartments on the second floor. Balconies, courtyards and landscaped gardens add character, another reason that Appledore doesn’t expect these homes to be on the market for long. For further information on specification and prices, contact selling agent Humberts on 01580 765858 or Appledore Developments on 01732 469888.

In Ickham, near Canterbury, Asprey Homes has unveiled its stunning new Ickham Court Farm development, the first new-build scheme to be built in the village for a number of years. The homes boast a mix of appealing external designs to make each home unique, combined with state-of-the-art internal specification and imaginative layouts. Some designs feature vaulted ceilings, full-height windows and white shiplap boarding, and three of the homes also have additional accommodation above the garages, offering handy flexibility for busy families or those who wish to work from home.
Prices for the remaining homes at Ickham Court Farm range from £750,000 to £1,135,000. Contact selling agents Strutt & Parker on 01227 451123 or Cluttons on 01227 457441.

In West Wickham, the listed former stables of the impressive Wickham Hall have recently been converted into four smart one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Featuring original architecture believed to be from the late 1890s, these distinctive homes have been created adjacent to six newly-built one- and two-bedroom apartments. All of these homes are now available for sale through Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, at prices ranging from £219,950 to £242,500.
West Wickhan adjoins green belt countryside and woodland and provides an excellent range of local amenities, including restaurants, pubs, a post office, a library and a church. Croydon and Bromley, both approximately four miles away, give local residents even greater choice of shopping and entertainment facilities. For those commuting into London, the journey from West Wickham train station into Charing Cross is approximately 40 minutes.
For sales enquiries contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward on 020 8777 2381 or visit kfh.co.uk.

Looking to the future, FairBriar has announced the purchase of three properties in Tunbridge Wells, which they will renovate and convert to provide 43 luxury new homes. Garden House in Calverley Street is currently a four-storey office building, which FairBriar proposes to convert into 24 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments including three stunning penthouses with extensive views over the town and the countryside beyond. The first units are expected to be completed this summer.
Victoria House, also in Calverley Street is an early 20th-century red brick school building, which will become seven one-, two- and three-bedroom houses and apartments. A summer completion is expected for the first of the units there.

And finally, Concord House, a Grade II listed three-storey Georgian House in Pembury Road will be converted into eight one- and two-bedroom apartments. An additional two three-bedroom houses will also be built in a space set apart from the redeveloped house. Work commences this year and the first homes will be completed in 2005. For information on current FairBriar developments call 01753 655375 or visit fairbriar.co.uk.

The fresh air of the countryside is all very well but isn’t it great to be right where the action is, asks Anna Bowden.

Much is made of the benefits of living in the countryside, and it cannot be denied that there are many. But there really is nothing quite like being part of a dynamic city environment, surrounded by interesting people, a wealth of employment opportunities and a fantastically varied range of ways to fill your free time. This week we look at some quality accommodation options in London, for those people who want to be part of the bigger picture.

Taylor Woodrow is now offering for sale Bombay Wharf in Old Rotherhithe Village, south-east London. This riverside scheme of 70 loft-style apartments and one house is a gated community created by architect Rolfe Judd from the conversion of 18th- and 19th-century grain stores, the last group of warehouse buildings to be developed within Rotherhithe’s conservation area.
All homes at Bombay Wharf offer light and open interiors, some looking out onto the Thames. Living accommodation is flexible and open plan; kitchens are fully fitted; bathrooms feature classic white sanitaryware and master bedrooms have Tissettenta fitted wardrobes from Italy, with hinged or sliding doors.

Transport links in this area of London are fantastic; the Jubilee Line at Canada Water is within easy walking distance (there are buses too), which is one stop away from Canary Wharf and within 20 minutes of the West End. The East London Line also stops at Canada Water, opening up the City and New Cross/New Cross Gate to make Croydon and the South East accessible. Prices range from £240,000 to £645,000. For further information call selling agent Colliers on 020 7491 9791.

Rydon Homes is seeing great success with its Chaplin Mews development in Kennington, a collection of three ground-floor live/work apartments with mezzanines, nine first- and second-floor apartments and live/work apartments and a single third-floor penthouse, converted from a series of Victorian buildings along with an element of new build. Located close to both Kennington and Oval tube stations, Chaplin Mews boasts convenient living accommodation for those who travel to work as well as those who work from home, allowing residents to enjoy both free time and home life. Prices at Chaplin Mews start from £299,950. For more details call the marketing suite on 020 7820 8603.

Modern City Living is currently offering Garden Walk in Shoreditch, where central and east London meet. This collection of 23 spacious and stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom penthouse was the recent recipient of the Hotproperty Award 2003 for City Life. These apartments are high-specification and excellent value for money, with research by London Residential Research showing them to boast a higher square footage than most other London flats at similar prices.
Garden Walk is a secure gated development set over seven storeys and features modern industrial-style architecture, with a striking green copper façade, large picture windows, glass fronted balconies, ground up-lighters, art deco ceiling lights and an eight-person lift. The apartments themselves boast tall metal-framed windows with stainless steel balustrades as well as open-plan interiors designed to maximise the use of space and light. Although the development offers residents all the modern conveniences and contemporary living they could possibly wish for, the building itself is sympathetic to the surrounding Victorian and Edwardian warehouses and complements the vibe of the area.
For price information call selling agents DTZ Residential or Copping Joyce on 020 7710 8038 or 020 7288 0330 respectively, or visit website moderncityliving.net.

Countryside Properties and Taylor Woodrow have now launched Parkside, a new phase of development at Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV) following its successful previous launch, Watermark. Parkside is adjacent to the central park area in the heart of the Village and offers a mix of 186 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, houses and penthouses priced from £190,000.

The external design of Parkside is linear, utilising steel, timber and terracotta tiles as well as extensive glazing as its main framing device, and the buildings are set round two enclosed garden courtyards. High-level terraces and private balconies to select apartments ensure that residents can enjoy uninterrupted views over the gardens, the village green and the Ecology Park towards the Thames.

Inside, the apartments are high-specification; sleek fully fitted kitchens boast a range of stainless steel integrated appliances which have low energy consumption in accordance with the sustainable principles at GMV. Hot water and heating are provided by a communal combined heat and power system, which means that apartments don’t need boilers and heat and power are generated with less impact on the environment. Bathrooms include white sanitaryware, maple veneer vanity panels and polished chrome fittings, and all contemporary fittings throughout the apartment are brushed stainless steel.
‘A number of purchasers have been eagerly awaiting the sales launch of Parkside,’ comments Adrian Putman, development director of GMV. ‘They have seen the early plans and recognise that these homes are special. The Parkside apartments are designed to allow the internal layout to change throughout the course of a day – or even the lifetime of the residents’ occupancy. Lifestyle needs change and today it is important that our homes are sufficiently adaptable to cope with this.’
Prices at Parkside start from £199,950 for a one-bedroom apartment. For further information call the information centre on 020 8293 6900.

Fisherking is offering what it calls ‘Bankside Living’ with its range of developments alongside Bankside, an area that runs along the Southwark side of The Thames between Millennium Bridge and London Bridge. Over the past few years this area of London has seen a dramatic rise in popularity and some of the capital’s most notable attractions are situated here, including the London Eye, the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, the Millennium Bridge, Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market. The area, however, is not filled with hordes of tourists and at night is largely peaceful and car-free, allowing for a safer, more desirable living environment.

The developments themselves are all designed to offer the purchaser modern, convenient living. Winchester Stables is a small block of six one-bedroom and one to-bedroom apartments on Winchester Walk, on the former site of the Winchester Palace Stables and overlooking Borough Market. Due for completion in May this year, the apartments boast a high-specification including composite marble tiled bathrooms, Starck 3 sanitaryware and contemporary compact kitchens.
Fisherking also offers Victor Wharf, located on Clink Street, one of the district’s most charming and historic streets. The newly-built glass and brick building boasts seven storeys of contemporary and stylish homes, including 13 one- and two-bedroom apartments and a stunning three-bedroom penthouse.

Prices at Victor Wharf start at £355,000 for one-bedroom apartments and £440,000 for two-bedroom apartments. The three-bedroom penthouse is expected to fetch £1.4 million. For further information contact selling agent DTZ Residential on 020 7710 8038.

Starting at Chelmer Gate, located in Beeleigh Link, Chelmer Village, Bellway offers discerning house-hunters something a bit different. These 34 homes include apartments as well as two- and three/ four-bedroom houses. The design is dynamic and contemporary – and the Baddow house type is a good example of the ingenuity on display here.

The feeling of light and space is what strikes the viewer when entering the Baddow show house. Ground floor accommodation includes a fitted kitchen opening into a living/dining room. This in turn opens into a large conservatory. Off the conservatory is a spacious, versatile family room which can also be accessed from the garage. The open plan design of the ground floor creates an incredibly light and airy living environment.
On the first floor is a master bedroom measuring 25’8 x 17’ with an en suite shower room, a second bedroom bathroom and study/fourth bedroom. The second floor is entirely taken up by a third bedroom measuring 24’8 x 17’7, with an en suite shower room. This top-floor bedroom suite offers immense flexibility for families – parents can escape their teenage children and vice versa! The Baddow is priced from £299,995.

Other houses at Chelmer Gate include the three-bedroom Springfield, which boasts such features as a vast glazed area at the rear and a double-length garage. Prices at Chelmer Gate currently start at £230,000 for the Downham, a two-bedroom three-storey mews apartment that includes a garage. Find out more about the development by calling the sales office, open daily, on 01245 493796.

Fairclough Homes has just opened a new show home at The Parks in Loxford Lane, Ilford. There are great New Year deals on these two-, three- and four-bedroom town houses. Homes at The Parks come in a variety of layouts over three floors. All offer stylish, versatile space that is ideal for contemporary lifestyles.

Not only do the prices start at a very tempting £224,950, but Fairclough Homes is offering a range of incentives on top of the attractive asking price. The developer is also offering to pay the five per cent deposit as well as the stamp duty – and will also contribute £250 towards legal fees. On top of these special deals, Fairclough’s part exchange scheme may also be available, which means a guaranteed purchaser and no agents’ fees to pay. ‘We’ve pulled out all the stops at The Parks,’ says Larry Crook, sales and marketing director for Fairclough Homes. ‘It’s hard to see how buying a new home in Ilford could be easier.’ Call the sales centre at The Parks any day of the week on 020 8911 8875.

Laing Homes has recently opened a new two-bedroom show apartment at its Iceni development in Buckhurst Hill. The apartment, in the popular Elan design, offers spacious and flexible living accommodation. Featuring a dual-aspect lounge area opening out on to a balcony and leading into the kitchen/dining room, this home type is ideal for entertaining guests. There is a second balcony, accessed from the kitchen/dining room, and the master bedroom suite offers plenty of wardrobe space as well as an en suite shower room. The second bedroom has access to the second bathroom.
Iceni is a private gated development of 24 contemporary luxury two-bedroom apartments, located one mile from Buckhurst Hill tube station. Each of the properties contains more than 850 sq ft of designer-specified living space and features a video entryphone. The development is close to famous Epping Forest, as well as to the high-quality boutiques of Queens Road. There is also a train service which gets into Liverpool Street station in only 30 minutes.
Prices at Iceni begin at £279,995. The marketing suite and show home are open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 5.30pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 5.30pm. Contact the sales office on 020 8506 1116 or visit the Laing Homes website on laing-homes.co.uk.

The award-winning Cala Domus development in Newhall, Harlow, has seen brisk demand since its launch. The undeniable combination of ultra-modern city-style accommodation and idyllic countryside location would never have been anything other than a hit with buyers.
The development also places high importance on sense of community. This is obvious in its choice of home types, shared outdoor space and amenities. The design of the development encourages interaction between residents, which in turn improves security and leads to a feeling of ‘at-homeness’. Some of the homes available in the first phase of Cala Domus include four-bedroom houses, which are equipped with balconies and sun spaces, and two- and three-bedroom maisonettes.
For further information on Cala Domus, including the latest prices and availability, contact the sales office on 0845 300 2490 or visit caladomus.co.uk.

From Unicoin Homes comes Maybank Lodge, an exciting new development of 36 two-bedroom apartments conveniently located between Elm Park and Hornchurch tube stations. Built on the site of a former home for the elderly, Maybank Lodge is an imaginatively designed two/three-storey block and offers six different apartment layouts, all with gas fired central heating and secure private parking.
The development is ideal for first-time buyers; not only is it very conveniently located but, with prices ranging from £164,950 to £174,950, it is also extremely affordable. Find out more about Maybank Lodge by contacting 020 8447 8828.

Westbury Homes is expanding its presence and its portfolio of new homes in Essex with the development of a number of high-profile sites in premier locations. Two of its innovative schemes are currently nearing completion – Ellens Gate in Brentwood and Marchbanks in Chelmsford.
Ellens Gate is a complex of one- and two-bedroom well-appointed luxury apartments, located just a few minutes from the town centre with its excellent shopping centre, bars and restaurants – as well as the train station with its frequent, no-fuss connections to London. Just 12 properties remain available, including two-bedroom and penthouse apartments. Each has either a balcony or terrace, giving wonderful countryside views.
Prices, which include carpets, start at £299,995. For further information call 01277 849415.

Meanwhile, the Marchbanks development forms part of the highly regarded Beaulieu Park, located near the A12 in Chelmsford. At Marchbanks just eight homes are still available, including the fabulous six-bedroom Shakstone house type.
The Shakstone, priced at £579,995, is the largest house type Westbury Homes has ever built. It offers a staggering 3,300 sq ft of accommodation, including floor-to-ceiling windows in the master bedroom and a built-in conservatory. There is a four-bedroom Chapman show home at the site, giving prospective buyers the feel of this excellent home. There are currently six Chapman houses now available, priced from £299,995. Get more information about Marchbanks by calling 01245 467186.
Further Westbury Homes developments are progressing in the north of Essex, at Colchester and Witham. Castle Keep in Colchester incorporates a range of two-bedroom apartments and
two- and three-bedroom homes, with a total of 43 properties in the first phase. These exclusive homes are unique to Castle Keep, marking this Westbury development as one of the finest not only in this part of Essex but in the South East as a whole. Colchester is an excellent location for a wide variety of buyers. The town centre is within easy reach, offering excellent amenities including bars, restaurants, cinemas, sports and recreational facilities, the Mercury Theatre and the Arts Centre. Apartments at Castle Keep start from £131,995; houses are priced from £175,000.

Just up the road at Witham is Oaklands Court, a development of two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom homes. When complete, Oaklands Court will consist of a total of 79 units, creating a real community feel without being too imposing. Witham is midway between Colchester and Chelmsford and therefore well placed for the benefits of both towns, as well as its own. Good schools, shopping and leisure opportunities are all well represented.
Two show homes are due to open around the end of March, so buyers are being urged to act quickly if they wish to take advantage of pre-show home prices. Apartments are currently priced from £139,000 and houses from £224,995. For further information call 01376 502305.

Bovis Homes offers Cumberland Rise, a new collection of homes at Chafford Hundred. A new release of two- and three-bedroom homes is now available; two-bedroom apartments and cottages are priced from £169,950, while three-bedroom terraced houses start at £219,950 and town houses are priced from £239,950. There are also four- and five-bedroom detached houses, with prices starting at approximately £350,000.

Chafford Hundred is extremely popular and represents excellent value for money. Find out more about Cumberland Rise by calling 01375 482909 – or visit bovishomes.co.uk.
For those who want to keep up with what the future holds new homes-wise, Charles Church has acquired land in very desirable Epping, with a view to building 17 new homes. The development is to include a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom terraced, linked and detached homes. High specification and the typical Charles Church dedication to blending in with the surrounding area will be on the agenda at this new gated development. The builder is also offering its Select service, allowing purchasers a distinctive range of options, from granite worktops in the kitchens to landscaping schemes.
Also from Charles Church will come a new development in Saffron Walden, the company’s first scheme in the area. Walden Mews, located in West Road, will feature designs that are new to the developer’s portfolio. The Select service will also apply here. For further information on either of these upcoming developments, or to register on the waiting list, please call Charles Church North London on 01727 828800.

Wandsworth, London

Antler Homes is now offering its Pavilion Square development near Wandsworth Common in south-west London, a stylish collection of 14 one- and two-bedroom contemporary apartments and 16 three- and four-bedroom period style town houses. As its name suggests, Pavilion Square has been traditionally designed to represent a residential square, but all homes are high-tech, with multi-media systems, and accommodation is flexible and generously proportioned. Prices start from £224,950 for an apartment and from £595,000 for a town house. For information call 020 8769 2503.

Maldon, Essex

Countryside Properties has incorporated extra security features to the design of its properties at The Courtyard, including burglar alarms and panic buttons, to give residents extra peace of mind. Managing director Chris Crook says, ‘Even though the majority of buyers are mainly concerned with security while in their home, there are a growing number of purchasers who are looking for a secure property that they can ‘lock up and leave’ when going on holiday. The homes at The Courtyard are suitable for both requirements.’ Prices start from £280,000. Call 01621 840860.

Stoke Newington, London

Laing Homes’ new development The Point is an excellent new collection of homes located just three miles east of the City, perfect for commuters. Homes are all pre-wired for home networking and entertainment and frequent rail services take residents into Liverpool Street, where there are a number of convenient tube connections. Laing is offering 100 per cent part exchange or stamp duty paid at The Point among other deals. Prices for remaining mews houses start from £449,950. Call 020 7275 9118.

Shinfield, Berkshire

Crest Nicholson South is seeing success at its Montague Park development, where a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes is available for sale in a peaceful residential location. Less than four miles from Reading, the development is superbly placed for commuters and for those who want country living within striking distance of city life. Prices at Montague Park start from £199,950 for a two-bedroom home. Call 0118 988 5704 for more information.

Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire

Wilson Connolly has now sold nearly all of its properties at Buckingham Court, a high-specification development of 74 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes a mere stone’s throw from Milton Keynes where a range of excellent education, leisure, retail, fitness and cultural facilities will ensure a varied and enjoyable lifestyle. Prices start from £134,950 for remaining two-bedroom apartments. Call 01908 216849.

Epsom, Surrey

Try Homes is now launching Livingstone Park, a new development on the site of the former Horton Hospital. The collection of 61 luxury apartments will be housed within four of the surviving late Victorian buildings, including the former administration block, and will boast many original features including sash windows, large floor-to-ceiling heights and red brick detailing. To register interest call 01372 385170.

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Bellway is offering a Move In for £250 scheme at Clipstone Brook, a development of 51 one- and two-bedroom apartments within two three-storey buildings. The developer is offering to pay all of the stamp duty and deposit plus legal fees of up to £750 for purchasers, an excellent deal. Prices start from £115,000 for one bedroom and £136,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, with a parking space included. Call 01525 376350.

Caversham, Berkshire

KingsOak Thames Valley has seen amazing success at its exclusive HighGrove development with over 40 per cent of the properties now sold. The development, a collection of 30 two-bedroom apartments, is within easy reach of the M4 and is commutable to both London and Reading and the excellent job and entertainment possibilities they offer. Prices for remaining apartments at HighGrove start from £182,995 for a two-bedroom ground-floor apartment. Call 0118 947 7846 for details.

Kent is a great combination of lush countryside and commuter convenience. And its wide choice of new homes includes everything from reimaginings of Victorian splendour to luxury apartments, finds Johnny Turner.

Kent is both well connected and cosy, offering easy and convenient access to London and a green and pleasant environment in which to live. There are some fantastic new property options around, with both new homes and redevelopments on the agenda for prospective buyers this year.
Rydon Homes has created an inspired collection of seven homes in Tunbridge Wells, including six four- and five-bedroom villas and one three-bedroom coach house. These homes were designed by award-winning architect Philip Andrews and influenced by the renowned 19th-century architect Decimus Burton, bringing a 21st-century version of fine Victorian style that will be sure to please prospective buyers.

Known as Decimus Place, this development offers classical design combined with the abundance of space that today’s buyer demands. The villas reflect the palladian ideal of the four-square villa, with carefully considered proportions that emphasise dignity and quality. Detailing includes semi-circular fanlight windows as well as circular ones. The main entrance leads to an impressive hallway, which in turn gives way to a generously proportioned drawing room that is flooded with light from large windows. A second reception room, also on the ground floor, is suitable for use as a study, family room or music room.

In the four-bedroom villas, set over three storeys, the ground floor also offers a kitchen separated from the dining area by concealed sliding doors; both rooms have French windows leading out on to a patio area, ideal for dinner parties on summer evenings. The five-bedroom villas, which have four storeys, offer the choice of a separate kitchen and dining room, as well as a utility room. All principal bedrooms have access to a balcony via French windows, generous fitted wardrobe space and an en suite bathroom. Four-bedroom villas provide principal bedrooms with an en suite room that can be used as a walk-in wardrobe or nursery. Second bedrooms in all the villas have an en suite shower.
Decimus Place is situated in a mature landscaped setting in the heart of a conservation area. Tunbridge Wells is a charming and very popular Georgian spa town with beautiful surrounding countryside, upmarket restaurants and bars, and fantastic commuter connections by both road and rail. To find out more about Decimus Place, call the Rydon Homes marketing suite on 01892 521919.

Another Rydon development in Tunbridge Wells is proving a hit with buyers. At Molyneux Place the developer has restored the town’s highest residential building to its full Victorian glory, creating 40 luxury apartments. ‘The interest has been tremendous,’ says Ann Fulker, Rydon Homes’ sales and marketing director. ‘We are receiving dozens of appointments for viewings every day.’ Get more information about Molyneux Place by calling the marketing suite on 01892 616186, and see what other residential treats Rydon Homes offers, both in Kent and throughout the South East, by visiting rydonhomes.co.uk.

Luxury apartments are also available at Swan Hill’s Sovereign House. Each of the six individually designed two- and three-bedroom apartments has a range of special features, including granite work surfaces in the kitchen and en suite facilities to both the master and second bedrooms. There is the latest in home technology, including high-speed data and digital satellite cabling, as well as alarm-linked smoke detectors. Most apartments offer secluded balconies or terraces.
Prices for the remaining apartments start at £299,950; the development also includes one splendid four-bedroom penthouse, priced at £950,000. Interested purchasers may contact selling agent JDM on 020 8325 8000 for a personal appointment.

With today’s high demand for new homes, buying off-plan is becoming more and more common. At Roman Heights, Bellway Thames Gateway South’s development in Maidstone, prospective purchasers are viewing plans of the development with a view to purchasing now and moving in after the development’s completion later this year. The 36 two-bedroom apartments are priced from £132,000; there are also 16 two-bedroom houses priced from £152,000 and 20 three-bedroom houses at prices starting from £163,000.

Roman Heights is located off Postley Road, within walking distance of Maidstone town centre’s wide range of supermarkets, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and pubs. With the added bonuses of walks along the River Medway, Maidstone Castle and many other great ideas for days out, the town offers a varied and vibrant lifestyle. This is also a very convenient commuter location, with frequent trains to London Victoria taking just over an hour. For motorists, the M20 is nearby. To view plans of the apartments and houses, contact a sales consultant on 01622 766030.

With the modern focus on high-density house building, brand new bungalows are something of a rarity these days. The single-level house style, however, remains popular, and RPC Land & New Homes offers something special near Maidstone with White Cottage Mews. This collection of three-bedroom bungalows on the edge of Harrietsham village represents excellent value for money; priced from £249,000, they are traditionally styled and offer well-planned accommodation.
The homes incorporate the latest technology in terms of energy efficiency, with modern insulation, uPVC double glazed windows and a security system. The interior layout includes a spacious living room with feature fireplace, conservatory/dining room opening on to the rear garden, quality fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, luxury en suite shower room to the master bedroom and a principal bathroom. And subject to the stage of construction, buyers have a choice of sanitaryware, kitchen units and worktops. Each bungalow will have a garage, located in two blocks at the front of the development, as well as a private garden.
Harrietsham is a superb location, with orchards, strawberry fields and hop gardens, and the village vibe is very much alive in the shops, pub, primary school and train station. The homes at White Cottage Mews also boast very easy connections to both London and the Continent. Obtain more information by calling RPC Land & New Homes on 01622 691911.

Interest is high in Appledore Developments’ Elmfield Place, a new collection of just ten two-bedroom luxury apartments in Tenterden. Located just outside the town centre and designed in the Arts and Crafts style, the development combines great design with convenience.
There are four duplex garden apartments on the lower ground and ground floors; four apartments on the first floor; and two large penthouse apartments on the second floor. Balconies, courtyards and landscaped gardens add character, another reason that Appledore doesn’t expect these homes to be on the market for long. For further information on specification and prices, contact selling agent Humberts on 01580 765858 or Appledore Developments on 01732 469888.

In Ickham, near Canterbury, Asprey Homes has unveiled its stunning new Ickham Court Farm development, the first new-build scheme to be built in the village for a number of years. The homes boast a mix of appealing external designs to make each home unique, combined with state-of-the-art internal specification and imaginative layouts. Some designs feature vaulted ceilings, full-height windows and white shiplap boarding, and three of the homes also have additional accommodation above the garages, offering handy flexibility for busy families or those who wish to work from home.
Prices for the remaining homes at Ickham Court Farm range from £750,000 to £1,135,000. Contact selling agents Strutt & Parker on 01227 451123 or Cluttons on 01227 457441.

In West Wickham, the listed former stables of the impressive Wickham Hall have recently been converted into four smart one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Featuring original architecture believed to be from the late 1890s, these distinctive homes have been created adjacent to six newly-built one- and two-bedroom apartments. All of these homes are now available for sale through Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, at prices ranging from £219,950 to £242,500.

West Wickhan adjoins green belt countryside and woodland and provides an excellent range of local amenities, including restaurants, pubs, a post office, a library and a church. Croydon and Bromley, both approximately four miles away, give local residents even greater choice of shopping and entertainment facilities. For those commuting into London, the journey from West Wickham train station into Charing Cross is approximately 40 minutes.
For sales enquiries contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward on 020 8777 2381 or visit kfh.co.uk.

Looking to the future, FairBriar has announced the purchase of three properties in Tunbridge Wells, which they will renovate and convert to provide 43 luxury new homes. Garden House in Calverley Street is currently a four-storey office building, which FairBriar proposes to convert into 24 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments including three stunning penthouses with extensive views over the town and the countryside beyond. The first units are expected to be completed this summer.
Victoria House, also in Calverley Street is an early 20th-century red brick school building, which will become seven one-, two- and three-bedroom houses and apartments. A summer completion is expected for the first of the units there.

And finally, Concord House, a Grade II listed three-storey Georgian House in Pembury Road will be converted into eight one- and two-bedroom apartments. An additional two three-bedroom houses will also be built in a space set apart from the redeveloped house. Work commences this year and the first homes will be completed in 2005. For information on current FairBriar developments call 01753 655375 or visit fairbriar.co.uk.