New Homes - May, 2004

To market, to market

Proximity to good shopping is a real plus when looking for the perfect home. Anna Bowden has a browse at what’s available.

With today’s fast, demanding pace of life, convenient access to shopping is high on the list of must-haves when we search for a home. Throughout London and the South East there are new properties for sale that are well placed for both retail extravaganzas and everyday necessities.
An excellent example is Waterstone Park, Countryside Properties’ stunning new development near Stone Castle in Dartford, Kent. This collection of over 200 homes is within a stone’s throw of Bluewater shopping centre, a huge complex of 320 shops and department stores plus restaurants, cafés and bars and a 12-screen cinema, conveniently located just off the A2.

Homes at Waterstone Park have been extremely popular so far and over 70 per cent are now sold. Currently remaining properties include a handful of two-bedroom apartments in the new phase, a scheme of just 12 contemporary two-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom duplex apartment set within an outstanding new community close to the Thames Estuary.
Centrally located for direct access to London, Essex and the channel ports, Waterstone Park offers excellent investor and first-time buyer packages for these stunning apartments, which are close to some of England’s finest countryside.
The development is excellent for commuters; Greenhithe station allows fast and frequent services into Dartford, London Bridge, London Waterloo and London Charing Cross (within 40–50 minutes). The new Channel Tunnel international terminal is less than five miles away and the A2 offers access to the M25 and M20 motorways.
Prices at Waterstone Park start from £177,500. For further information or to register interest call 01322 386593.

Tempus Meridien by Berkeley Homes is another development with excellent access to shopping facilities; both the fabulous food stalls of Borough Market and the clothes and CDs of Oxford Street, the latter accessible via the Jubilee Line from nearby London Bridge station. The development, a stunning conversion of a period warehouse near Shad Thames – and the only such development in the area with direct river frontage – consists of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments offering a combination of differing internal layouts to enhance choice. Tempus Meridien also features a landscaped garden for the private use of residents.
Each home will benefit from light and spacious interiors to create a tranquil, relaxing environment. Apartments are high-specification, boasting kitchens fully fitted with integrated AEG and Electrolux appliances, including oven, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher and washer/dryer. Bathrooms feature Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware and showers by Hans Grohe, and all master bedrooms benefit from en suite facilities.

All homes are also installed with pre-wiring for communication, including satellite/TV/FM points in the living rooms and bedrooms as well as internet access and telephone points in home office areas.
Transport-wise the development is ideal, with nearby London Bridge station offering access to the Jubilee and Northern Lines as well as mainline rail services; and river taxis leave the pier every 20 minutes. Prices at Tempus Meridien start from £250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Call 01732 227666 to find out more.

The Crescent is a smart development by Fairview New Homes, located on the banks of the Medway in Maidstone, Kent, and comprising 230 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and two- and three-bedroom duplex apartments. Maidstone is currently undergoing massive regeneration which will, when complete, provide the town with over 600 new homes (including those at The Crescent), a hotel, a new train station at Maidstone East, a central business centre, a brand new riverside walk and a £100 million, 350,000 sq ft shopping centre called Fremlin Walk.

David Reed, marketing manager at Fairview New Homes, comments, ‘Maidstone’s redevelopment will ensure that, along with regenerated areas such as Bromley and Canterbury, Maidstone will become one of Kent’s top towns to live in. Along with Fremlin Walk, The Crescent will contribute to making this section of the river a smart and sought-after residential area, offering buyers a stylish selection of waterfront homes as well as a wide variety of facilities, restaurants and bars.’

The Crescent has been designed in the shape of a horseshoe and the homes will offer a variety of styles to suit a range of tastes and requirements. The studio apartments feature a living room, a sleeping area, a kitchen, a bathroom and a linen cupboard, while some of the one-bedroom apartments also comprise extra storage space and open-plan kitchens/living rooms. In some of the two-bedroom homes, master bedrooms have en suite facilities while the three-bedroom duplexes boast smart mezzanine galleries. Many of the new homes will also offer spectacular river views.
Located 37 miles from London and approximately 20 miles from Ashford International station, Maidstone has excellent communication links by both road and rail. The nearby M20 offers convenient access to the M25 and the town is serviced by two mainline stations. Maidstone East offers services both to Ashford International and London Victoria stations, with respective journey times of 20 minutes and one hour.

One-bedroom apartments are now available at The Crescent, starting in price from £154,250. Fairview is also offering £5,000 deposit paid on selected plots. For sales enquiries call 01622 754950 or visit website fairview.co.uk.
KingsOak’s development Blake’s Quay in Reading, Berkshire, is ideally located within easy walking distance of the renowned Oracle shopping centre, famed for its wealth of superb shops and boasting all the high street names, including Kookai, as well as smaller boutique stores and huge department stores, including House of Fraser and Debenhams.
Blake’s Quay enjoys a superior setting overlooking the River Kennet while also boasting proximity to the town centre. And for commuters Reading itself is perfect; London is within 30 minutes by train and the M4 is nearby, opening up both South Wales and south-west London.

The development itself is a prestigious collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments offering stylish design and a high specification as standard, to fulfil the requirements of the modern lifestyle. Living accommodation includes fully fitted kitchens with oven, hob and hood and washer/dryer; stylish living/dining rooms that, in many cases, open onto a balcony; and an en suite shower room in many apartments. There is also a residents-only fitness room and private gated parking.
Prices at Blake’s Quay start from £334,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. Call 0118 959 1514 to register interest, arrange a viewing or obtain further information.
Barratt Homes is now offering its eagerly awaited Visage development in Swiss Cottage, London, an exclusive collection of 131 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses arranged over 11 floors of stunning architecture.
All apartments benefit from a cutting edge specification, with many offering some of the best views of the London skyline, looking out over Primrose Hill and Regent's Park. Further lifestyle enhancements include a 24-hour concierge service and underground parking, and residents can even join a tailored lifestyle management scheme to look after their every need, from booking theatre tickets to arranging catering and a butler for a special evening in their new exclusive apartment.
Prices at Visage range from £409,995 to £1,300,000. To find out more call the sales centre on 020 7586 7577.

Bryant Homes is offering Ninety Park Lane in Croydon, Surrey, a development that will, when complete, provide a total of 44 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes. These homes are proving popular with investment buyers, says John Inglis, Bryant Homes’ regional sales and marketing director. ‘Investors recognise that all the benefits of central London are close by, but without the premium prices and rents.’
The development is superbly located for Croydon’s excellent shopping facilities. The Whitgift Centre offers practically every high street store you could imagine, including a huge Waterstone’s, Sainsbury’s and Allders and a vast range of shops selling everything from fountain pens to tropical fish; and there are numerous other boutiques and shops within the pedestrian zone and along the high street.
Ninety Park Lane also boasts fantastic transport options practically on the doorstep; access to a 24-hour train service into central London is less than a mile away at East Croydon station, while Brighton and Gatwick Airport are also extremely easy to get to. Motorists will also find very convenient connections, with access to the national motorway network via the A23, M25 and M23. And there’s no need to leave Croydon to find excellent bars, restaurants, cinemas and nightclubs.

The distinctive exterior of Ninety Park Lane is combined with well-equipped contemporary interiors. Every apartment has a balcony or terrace and there is the security of an audio entryphone system. CAT5e cabling is in place, allowing for adaptable TV, audio and internet connections.
There is currently a variety of two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes available at prices ranging from £239,950 to £389,950. For further information call 020 8760 9283 or visit the sales office at 90 Park Lane, Croydon CR1.

Docklands, London

Ballymore Properties’ New Providence Wharf has now released the final phase of two-bedroom apartments. This superbly located Thames-side development has seen very high demand from both investors and owner occupiers, and the final release of 30 properties will go quickly. The two-bedroom apartments, which measure up to 1,000 sq ft and are finished to a high specification, are available from £440,000. Call Ballymore on 07000 701 701.

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Bellway North London has only four luxury family homes remaining at the very successful Jubilee Grange development in Fairford Leys. There are two each of the four- and five-bedroom detached houses, which are ideal for families. Prices start at £289,995 for the Launceston four-bedroom home; a part-exchange deal is also on offer at this development. Call the sales centre, open daily, on 01296 486041.

Bromley-by-Bow, London

The new show apartment at Urban Island, Countryside Properties’ development on Three Mills Island, gives prospective buyers a real insight into the amount of space, light and style on offer. The exclusive island sits on a curve of the River Lea and offers a tranquil waterside setting. Prices range from £225,000 to £400,000. Contact the marketing suite, open Thursdays to Mondays, on 020 8215 3377.

Reigate, Surrey

Bovis Homes offers three-storey town houses at its Blanford Mews development in popular Reigate. This fashionable house type offers flexibility and lots of space; in the Buchan town house the traditional exterior is combined with a modern layout, including an en suite shower to the master bedroom and fitted double wardrobes to all main bedrooms. Call 01737 768418 weekdays for information on prices and availability.

Bushey, Hertfordshire

St Michael’s Park from KingsOak features a choice of just 22 two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses in ten different designs. Some apartments have open-plan interiors for increased sociability and flexibility; others are more traditionally set out. The development is only 440 yards from Oxhey train station, from where a journey to Euston takes only 22 minutes. Two-bedroom apartments start at £279,995. Call 01923 238137.

Bexley, Kent

The final properties have been released for sale at David Wilson Homes’ Bracken Court. These include a wide range of homes, from a two-bedroom apartment suitable for investors to an executive four-bedroom Sherwood house type (pictured), ideal for families who want a good amount of flexible space. Travel into central London is quick and convenient. Prices range from £294,995 to £389,995. Call 01322 529198.

Netherne-on-the-Hill, Surrey

Gleeson Homes’ award-winning Netherne-on-the-Hill is set in 180 acres of park and woodland, providing natural beauty and solitude – ideal for those who work hard on weekdays and need a place to relax during their off time. There is a choice of apartments and town houses. The apartments, located within the beautifully designed Zig Zag building, range from £250,000 to £430,000. For more information call 01737 553444.

Greenwich, London

At Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV) the on-site ecology park, the landscaped open spaces (created by English Partnerships) and the relatively car-free environment add up to a tranquil atmosphere. Apartments have stylish open plan living spaces and large windows or full-height glazed doors which allow natural light to flood the space. One-bedroom apartments are currently priced from £199,995. Call 020 8293 6900 or visit parkside-gmv.co.uk.

As a builder of high-quality homes, Weston Homes has put the buyer first since 1987. Johnny Turner talks to Bob Weston about his company and its distinctive products.

Seventeen years from its inception, sales are strong and the accolades are piling up for Weston Homes – the company was named Regional Housebuilder of the Year by Building magazine, and its Royal Earlswood Park development in Worcester Park, Surrey won the Specification of the Year prize in the Worcester Bosch Environment 2010 Awards. And Robert Weston, with the dual roles of managing director and chairman of Weston Group, seems unsurprised at the success his company has seen.
A large part of the Weston philosophy is emphasis on regeneration. ‘We don’t build on green belt land,’ he says. Weston’s developments ‘are all redevelopments of existing usage.’ Another criterion of the Weston plan is that any new development be close enough to the company’s Bishops Stortford HQ to be easily overseen. ‘We try to keep within a two-hour travelling distance. Our furthest north is Ipswich and the furthest south is in Surrey – we’ve built in the Redhill area.’ On the east/west access Weston has built has far as Southend and Sudbury.

As Weston outlines the qualities that mark the typical Weston Homes development it becomes clear that the first of these is that there is no typical one per se. I was impressed during a recent visit to Gateway Gardens in East Ham, I tell him; the design, location and use of space are all superb. ‘We always try to have a slightly higher specification for an equivalent market position, put that extra bit in,’ he says. ‘We try to sell mostly off-plan, so we have to give a little to get a little. Every site is a fresh piece of paper – we have no standard development.’
Gateway Gardens is indeed a fresh approach. The stylish new apartments and houses appeal to those who seek affordability combined with luxury in a unique living space. The kitchens by Oakwood boast fully fitted integrated appliances, and all houses feature a spacious family bathroom and an en suite with double shower in the master bedrooms.
Gateway Gardens is located within private landscaped grounds in a cul-de-sac and boasts proximity to a good selection of shopping, transport and leisure facilities. Five one-bedroom apartments remain at prices starting from £147,000. There is also one three-bedroom house priced at £245,000 and four four-bedroom houses starting at £274,000. The show homes are open daily from 10am to 5pm. Call 020 8548 1616.

Another current flagship Weston Homes development is 41 Millharbour, overlooking the Limehouse Cut in London’s Docklands. These luxury apartments offer very high specification inside, and gorgeous views and easy transport links to the outside. The sleek, modern building mirrors its surroundings perfectly; it is just moments from the towers of Canary Wharf and provides the high-design, low-maintenance lifestyle that today’s busy professionals insist on.
41 Millharbour is part of a large multi-million-pound plan to create a built environment of over five million square feet of office space, retail and leisure facilities, including a World Trade Centre.
The apartments are highly distinctive, with layouts that maximise space and natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a design feature, and many of these are dual-aspect. The properties are designed around a central landscaped courtyard which features a stunning water garden complete with fountains and a separate winter garden. The homes feature all safety and convenience requirements, including a full concierge service, CCTV, 24-hour security, video entryphones, lift access and secure underground parking.

For sales information contact the sales and marketing suite on 01992 558855.
Further developments are to follow in Norbury and Battersea, in south London – and these will be geared towards what today’s buyer demands, says Weston. ‘The product, presentation and price have to be correct.’

With the current crop of newly built homes, both the first-time buyer and buy-to-let investor will find much to like, says Johnny Turner.

Rising prices may be good news for those who are already on the property ladder – but what about those who have yet to reach the first rung? Recent research commissioned by The MarketPlace found that a quarter of first-time buyers take four to six years to save for their first property, while 16 per cent have to wait seven years or more; National Savings and Investments (NS&I) has found that for those in the South East the average time spent saving a deposit is four years.  Further, prolonged, steady periods of price rises also mean that those who are trying to save a deposit will find ever-changing goalposts. So what is to be done?

The fact is there are quite a few developments currently selling houses at prices that many prospective first-time buyers will be able to afford. And the choice of locations and specification that is on offer will convince many that now is the time to take the plunge.
For owner occupiers who are now looking to take their first foray into investment buying, there are also many fantastic options now available from developers. So whether you’re a complete novice to the property game or have decided to up the ante by buying to let, you’ll find much in the currently available selection of properties to give substance to your dreams.
Fairview has some interesting news for those who are finding the first run of the ladder hard to grasp. At their Rose Place development in Deptford, prices start at just £150,000 – an almost unheard-of deal for a London residence.

Rose Place will be a stylish development of 47 one- and two-bedroom apartments, located in this increasingly hip area just half a mile from vibrant Greenwich. Transport connections are excellent, with both Cutty Sark DLR and Greenwich mainline station within walking distance.
All apartments have been designed with a spacious sitting room, a bathroom and a fitted kitchen which includes a washer/dryer. Some of the two-bedroom apartments also feature a balcony as well as an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom.
One-bedroom apartments are available for sale, priced from £150,000; two-bedroom apartments are priced from £180,000. Call the sales and marketing suite on 020 8694 8093 or visit fairview.co.uk.
At City & Country Group’s new Standon Mill development in Standon, Hertfordshire, affordability goes hand in hand with flexibility of space. These 21 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, converted from a flour mill from 1901, make wonderful use of original features, including cast iron columns, exposed brick walls and brickwork arches.

So far, so stylish. But the amazing thing about these homes is that they give the buyer the option of adjusting the living space according to their needs. Fold-away walls have been incorporated into five of the properties, located between the living rooms and bedrooms two or three; this lends added flexibility to an already spacious, user-friendly design.
City & Country decided on folding walls as the best way to maximise living space. ‘For young professional buyers, a second or third bedroom is seldom used apart from when guests come to stay, or as an occasionally used study,’ says Tim Sargeant, the developer’s chief executive. ‘An additional bedroom is a valuable asset though, particularly when the property is put onto the market to sell at a later date.’ The folding wall can increase the living space quickly and easily by up to 118 sq ft, he said.
Further features at Standon Mill include solid oak or walnut flooring, curved and glass interior walls, rooftop terraces and balconies. Kitchens are by the Italian company Euro Cucina and bathrooms feature classical white sanitaryware from CP Hart and Roper Rhodes. All of the homes have CAT5 wiring, which will enable purchasers to install whatever high-tech features they choose, from multi-room audio systems and plasma/LCD home cinema to TVs fixed into bathroom tiles.
The location is superb; the peaceful conservation area is alongside the River Rib and there are convenient road and rail connections to London and Cambridge. And the prices are surprisingly affordable – one-bedroom apartments start at £179,000, two-bedrooms at £275,000 and three-bedrooms at £360,000. Call 01279 817882 for more information.

Also in Hertfordshire, the two-bedroom apartments at Twigden Homes’ Templars Gate in Royston are proving very popular with first-time buyers. Only three remain for sale, priced at £155,000 – and they’re not expected to hang around for long.
Twigden is also offering attractive incentives on the apartments – the developer will pay the five per cent deposit, representing a saving of £7,750, as well as the stamp duty and legal fees (excluding disbursements). The show apartment has also just been released, priced at £165,000, with carpets, curtains and light fittings included in the sale. This apartment would be ideal for the investment buyer who is looking for a hassle-free introduction to the life of a landlord.
Besides the apartments, there is a selection of two-bedroom houses available, at prices ranging from £175,000 to £185,000. There is also one three-bedroom house remaining, priced at £235,000; there is also one four-bedroom detached house at £389,995, with stamp duty and legal fees paid provided you can move in by the end of this month!
The fully furnished show homes at Templars Gate are open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. To find out more call 01763 249136.

In Haywards Heath, West Sussex, Crest Nicholson is selling Princess Court, a collection of 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The three buildings, which are set in landscaped grounds,  are influenced by time-honoured local architectural styles, with exteriors blending white stucco and red brick.
The apartments offer spacious sitting rooms incorporating open plan kitchens, which provide a comprehensive range of integrated Siemens appliances. The master bedroom suites in the two-bedroom properties have en suite bathrooms and double integrated wardrobes. The living space is light and airy, and a proportion of the ground floor apartments enjoy bay windows. Each of the properties includes a private parking space.
Location-wise, Princess Court is excellent. Just a short walk to the station puts you within easy reach of both London and Brighton, letting you have a mix of town and city life. Haywards Heath itself offers a wealth of leisure facilities and good restaurants. And the prices will suit those who want a nice home but whose budgets are tight – the new release of two-bedroom apartments is priced from only £174,000. ‘We had a clear vision of creating quality properties that offer affordability to first-time buyers,’ says Helen Devy, sales and marketing director of Crest Nicholson South East. ‘At Crest we appreciate how difficult it can be to get on the property ladder and we wanted to give prospective first-time buyers the opportunity to do this in a fantastic location such as Haywards Heath.’
Get more information on Princess Court by calling the sales office on 0870 752 1820.

Berkeley Homes is transforming a former rubber and plastics factory in London’s up-and-coming area of Bow into a gated residential scheme called Bow Central. The 146 contemporary apartments will form a series of elegant buildings of four and five storeys, incorporating glazing and contrasting brickwork, with sleek, simple columns, picture windows and Juliet balconies. Around the building will be pedestrian pathways, landscaping, wide driveways and surface parking facilities. There will also be and 14 three- and four-bedroom town houses.
The apartments range in size from 413sq ft to 892 sq ft, and many will have private balconies. The interior spec and décor will be fresh and funky, and each will feature a bright and airy reception room. Fully fitted kitchens will have Karndean flooring, stylish units and sleek worktops, as well as a comprehensive range of integrated AEG appliances.
Bow Central lives up to its name, being in the heart of Bow and within 500 metres of Bow Road tube station and Bow Church DLR. For those who work in the City or Canary Wharf, this is the ideal place to live.
The first release at Bow Central will consist of 55 one- and two-bedroom apartments, priced from £195,000. Find out more by calling Berkeley Homes on 020 7321 2122 or visiting berkeleyhomes.co.uk.


In Dagenham, Higgins Homes has just begun selling On The Square, a contemporary scheme of 70 two-bedroom apartments on a former school site. Eager buyers are already snapping up the homes, proving that the demand for smart, affordable and well connected apartments is strong.
These apartments boast a modern, open-plan layout. Sleek designer kitchens by Urban Myth extend out on to spacious living areas. And the space continues outside; ground floor apartments have French doors opening onto patios on the ground floor, while first and second floors offer elegant Juliet balconies, allowing views over the central grass square.
On The Square is only a ten-minute walk from Beacontree tube station, putting London within quick and easy reach. The development is also minutes from the A13 and the North Circular, giving a wide choice of motoring connections.
Prices start at £165,000, making this scheme ideal for the first-time buyer or investor. For further information contact Higgins Homes on 020 8517 7887 or visit higginshomes.co.uk.

Another impressive regeneration story is happening in Kidbrooke, where over 4,000 new homes will be built in the coming years. Work has now started at Fairview New Homes’ The Meridian, which will comprise 51 two-bedroom apartments designed in a contemporary style. Located within a quarter mile of Kidbrooke train station and approximately a mile from exclusive Blackheath Village, the development is ideally placed for a lifestyle that balances work and fun.
Nearby Greenwich and Blackheath are awash with beautiful green space, wonderful restaurants and bars, great shopping and a thousand ways to spend free time. This location is unbeatable and is becoming more and more an area of first choice for young professionals.
The first release of homes at The Meridian comprises two-bedroom apartments with prices starting at £171,000. Contact the sales and marketing suite on 020 8331 1157.

Mansard Country Homes’ impressive portfolio in Middlesex and Surrey includes Holly Bush Place in Holly Bush Lane, Hampton. The 12 one- and two-bedroom apartments are conveniently located for the village and railway station, and specification includes designer kitchens with granite work surfaces. There is also allocated parking. Prices start at £184 950. The on-site marketing suite will be open from Friday 18 June. Call 020 8487 0089. Find out more about this and other developments by Mansard Country Homes online at mansard.co.uk.

The Northern Line brings north and south London together and makes for a convenient commute. Johnny Turner sees some fine new homes with top-quality connections.

The Northern Line, with its easy connections to both the City and West End, makes it possible to live in a number of different London locations and stay within reach of the twin epicentres of business and entertainment. Today’s new home developers know that proximity to this most swift of north/south corridors is a major attraction to buyers, and this means a good selection of high-quality homes within walking distance of the Northern Line.

Barratt, for instance, has unveiled plans for a stylish development in very cool Clapham. Altona will be built on the site of a now-demolished 1960s residential block in King’s Avenue, a short stroll from the green expanse of Clapham Common and the tube connection at Clapham North station.
Clapham is a hit with buyers because it is awash with fashionable restaurants and bars, pubs and parkland, transport connections and fantastic entertainment options. The Clapham Picture House is an excellent art house cinema, and high-quality leisure centres and gyms are just around the corner. The shops of Old Town are charming, while the more day-to-day shopping needs are catered for by a good choice of nearby supermarkets.

The Altona building boasts a striking contemporary design and will rise to four storeys. Many apartments will have spacious glass-walled balconies, while two-bedroom apartments will have the option to purchase a space in the underground car park (for approximately £12,000) which is accessed through electronically-controlled gates.
All apartments will have fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances and fitted bathrooms, central heating and double glazing. On the top floor there will be three magnificent apartments with extensive roof terraces giving views across south London.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments start at £240,000 and two-bedroom apartments are priced from £285,000. A single three-bedroom apartment will be released later. A sales office is open at the site daily from 10am to 6pm; a fully furnished show home will follow in due course. Call 020 7737 6318.

Oak Hill Park Terrace by Regime Developments is a house-hunter's dream – a breathtaking combination of high style and plentiful, flexible space in an especially sought-after address. The location is an exclusive private estate in the heart of Old Hampstead, an area that sees very little new building and is therefore an extremely rare opportunity. Only five houses are being constructed, ranging in size from 2,271 sq ft to 2,637 sq ft.
The homes at Oak Hill Park Terrace are of a truly contemporary, open-plan design, with an abundance of natural light. Each home is individually designed, with a different kitchen and permutation of natural stone and timber in each house. Extensive Smart technology includes remote-controlled hole-in-the-wall contemporary gas fires, underfloor heating throughout, mood lighting, an audio system, a video entry phone system (even including a handset by the bed in the main bedroom) – and wiring for a monitored alarm system, also with the facility to have a keypad by the bed!
The configuration of four of the homes is such that the bedroom on the first floor adjoining the main bedroom can be transformed into a dressing room, resulting in a huge self-contained bedroom suite, comprising a bedroom, a dressing room and an en-suite bathroom with a walk in shower, twin sinks and a super luxuriating bath.

Prices at Oak Hill Park Terrace range from £1.795 million to £2.1 million. A show house is now open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Contact selling agents Goldschmidt & Howland on 020 7435 4404 or FPDSavills on 020 7472 5000.
Zooming up the Northern Line to Colindale, you’ll find the award-winning Adastral Village South, a new multi-million-pound village of 300 homes in a joint venture between Bellway North London and the Notting Hill Housing Group (NHHG).
The fully furnished show apartment is stylishly decorated throughout and has a unique semi-circular dimension, which reflects the ‘young’ quality of the development as a whole. The architecture follows a contemporary nautical theme, with the front of the building echoing a grand yet modern cruise liner in shape. The exterior Scandinavian wood cladding acts as the main cosmetic design feature of the building.

The development is a ten-acre site under construction on the former RAF Hendon airfield and aircraft factory at Colindale. Bellway and NHHG’s master plan includes construction of 320 homes as well as a community centre/village hall, local shop and generous open space and trees.
The mixed-tenure development includes 170 properties for private sale, 50 for shared ownership and 100 for rent. The housing mix includes two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments.
The development has ample parking and ready access to transport, including the A41, A406 and M1. Colindale tube station provides a direct connection to both the entertainment hub of the West End and the financial centre on the Northern Line’s Bank branch.
For information about Adastral Village South call the sales centre on 020 8205 3093.

In Islington, Emblem Homes is selling a new development that boasts an excellent placement between two very convenient tube stations. The development, called A+, will feature a mix of new build flats and town houses, as well as the conversion of the former Victorian school and schoolmaster’s house into apartments.
The Grade II listed school will be converted into 35 one- and two-bedroom split-level mezzanine apartments which make use of the existing high ceilings and windows. The schoolmaster’s house is to be converted into three one-bedroom apartments. ‘A+ offers purchasers a contemporary stylish lifestyle in a great location,’ says Steve Savill of Emblem Homes. ‘The N1 shopping centre and the vibrant nightlife of Upper Street are all within walking distance, as is Angel tube with its links to the City and West End.’
Prices start at £190,000. Completions are anticipated in mid-2005. For further information contact sole selling agents FPDSavills on 020 7472 5000.

London’s northern half is awash with fantastic properties from today’s best developers. Anna Bowden sees what’s happening.

South-east London seems to be getting all the plaudits at the moment, for its regeneration schemes and its increasingly fashionable status; but we are in danger of neglecting an outstanding part of London. The north has always been at the forefront when it comes to accessibility, entertainment, quality of housing and general coolness, and it is now striking back in the popularity stakes by bringing a rush of excellent new home developments onto the scene. We take a look at some of the best options.
An excellent example is Crest Nicholson’s Northpoint development in Camden, a prestigious collection of homes with just ten town houses available in the current release, offering traditional Georgian exteriors with contemporary interiors that are ideal for modern city living. The town houses boast four bedrooms, open plan living areas, high ceilings and large French windows opening out onto a series of exterior spaces, maximising the feeling of space and light.

Located in a conservation area and surrounded by period properties, the superbly proportioned façades have been designed to fit in perfectly with their environment. Inside, kitchens by Manor Cabinet comprise sleek granite worktops and designer stainless steel integrated appliances, plus an American freestanding fridge/freezer. The kitchen leads through to the garden, which comprises a stone paving area that leads down onto an extensive decking area, and the entire outside space is wored up for exterior flood lighting.
Michelle Harris, sales and marketing director for Crest Nicholson (London), comments, ‘Our objective was to create traditional exteriors at Northpoint that fitted into the surrounding street scene while still providing the fashionable, contemporary and spacious interiors of an ultra-modern home. We believe we’ve created something very unique to the area, and something that will attract the young and mature alike.’
Prices at Northpoint start from £400,000 for an apartment and £650,000 for the town houses. For further information call 020 7290 2822.

Mycitypad.com is currently selling Camden Island, an eye-catching landmark building that stands at the junction of Royal College Street and Kentish Town Road. With units available on the fifth and sixth floors, many with their own balconies, purchasers can enjoy breathtaking views across the city.
The development is conveniently placed for access to transport links, with Camden Road mainline station within easy walking distance.
Prices start from £250,000. Call 020 8510 4401 to register interest.
Laing’s Angel Square development has brought modern living into the heart of Edmonton, with its fantastic variety of 106 two-bedroom apartments, five town houses and two houses along with allocated parking and excellent local facilities. The homes are offered in 12 different designs although some features are standard – all apartments boast luxury fitted kitchens and bathrooms, and all designs have been carefully considered to combine function with modern chic, resulting in flexible and contemporary living space.
Edmonton Green provides residents with good shopping facilities, with supermarkets rubbing shoulders with more specialist shops. On top of this, Picketts Lock offers fantastic sporting and leisure facilities, as well as a cinema and a golf course. The development also boasts convenient transport links.
Prices at Angel Square start from £162,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Call 020 8887 9011 for further details or to register interest.

Linden Homes Chiltern is now celebrating the successful launch of Amber House, a prestigious collection of two-bedroom apartments in Stanmore where four reservations have already been taken just two weeks after launch. This exclusive scheme of 15 apartments is situated within walking distance of local shops and public open space, as well as Canons Park tube station.
Helen Todd, sales and marketing director of Linden, says, ‘Amber House is ideal for both young professionals, with rail, tube and roads links in the form of the M1 and M25 motorways being so close, as well as those looking to downsize from a large family home, but who do not wish to compromise on space.’
These highly-specified new homes boast kitchens fully fitted with Siemens integrated appliances, including electric oven, gas hob, extractor fan, washer/dryer and fridge/freezer. Prices start from £299,000. Call selling agent Preston Bennett on 020 8954 8626 to find out more.

Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey have joined together in a partnership called North Central Management Ltd to redevelop the former site of Arsenal Football Club in Highbury, one of London’s biggest regeneration schemes to date. The area for redevelopment encompasses 60 acres, which spans four residential projects in London N7 and N5 over a period of five years and which will culminate in the conversion of the current Arsenal ground.
VizioN7 is the first of the schemes to be developed and will comprise four separate buildings. The first, EG1, boasts 134 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. The crescent-shaped building overlooks private communal landscaped gardens and also offers secure parking in an underground car park.
The regeneration of the area will, when complete, include over 2,000 new homes, a world class sports facility, a 60,000-seater arena, new retail, leisure and commercial space and £7.6 million towards the upgrade of three local tube stations (Drayton Park, Finsbury Park and Holloway Road).
Prices at VizioN7 will range from approximately £220,000 for one-bedroom apartments to £520,000 for the penthouses, depending on availability. For further information call the sales suite on 020 7700 7555.

Barratt’s new Fallow Gate development in North Finchley is really taking off, with buyers already making reservations at this collection of 82 one- and two-bedroom homes a year ahead of construction. The stylish apartments, with striking classical features including some balconette windows, are accessed through electronic gates and en suite entryphone system. The development also provides private parking and communal landscaped gardens.

Barratt North London sales director Michael O’Leary, said, ‘Fallow Gate is a very exciting new development for us, and is already proving a resounding success.’ All apartments feature fully fitted kitchens boasting integrated stainless steel appliances. Master bedrooms to some apartments have en suite bathrooms and there are also family bathrooms.
The local area is convenient, with a selection of diners nearby as well as a cinema and bowling complex opposite the development along with a David Lloyd fitness centre.
Prices at Fallow Gate start from £205,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Call 020 8371 6809.

A home by the waterside is for many the ultimate dream. And a new wave of beautifully built homes makes these locations even more desirable, finds Johnny Turner.

High on the list of the attributes that are most desired in a home is proximity to water. Living near a river, lake, sea or canal brings a peaceful air to a location – not to mention lovely views. Today’s marketplace has a number of excellent properties with the sought-after bonus of being near the calming influence of water.

One riverside area of London that is seeing an amazing rebirth, both in terms of new house building and infrastructure, is Woolwich. An extension to the Docklands Light Railway will arrive in the area in the next few years, adding to the already convenient mainline rail link which provides a ten-minute journey to London Bridge. And buyers have been drawn to this Thames-side area in droves.
With the new Maritime House development by Comer Homes, the style stakes have also been raised. The highly specified homes in this secure glass-fronted building offer a standard of design and level of luxury that will appeal to both owner-occupiers and investment buyers. There is a concierge and residents will have access to roof gardens.

The apartments’ kitchens not only have granite worktops but also offer a full complement of top-of-the-range equipment, including a stainless steel Bosch oven and microwave, halogen hob, stainless steel extractor, built-in dishwasher, washer/dryer, fridge freezer and waste disposal. Wood flooring and carpets throughout are also standard. There is also climate-controlled heating/cooling system, plus solar-activated electric blinds to all rooms and, to top it all off, the apartments come furnished.
Find out more about Maritime House by calling selling agent Pepper Estates on 020 8854 8018 or 01634 577666. Visit pepperestates.com.

In sought-after Docklands, Higgins Homes offers Denmark Wharf, a collection of apartments and live/work properties set in a canalside location at Limehouse Cut. In terms of convenience, it is hard to imagine a more well-connected setting; all of Docklands, including Canary Wharf, is a mere tem minutes away by train, while Tower Gateway and Bank stations can be reached in just 15 minutes.
The high specification includes designer kitchens by Urban Myth, featuring appliances by Miele, as well as a contemporary-style bathroom incorporating Starck 3 by Philippe Starck. There are also steamed beech hardwood floors to all rooms except bathrooms and en suites, as well as double glazed windows with lacquered timber finish.
Current availability includes live/work units priced from £229,000 to £257,500. The sales and marketing suite and live/work show apartment are open Thursdays to Mondays 10am to 5pm. Call 020 7001 0801 or visit higginshomes.co.uk for more information.

Whitefriars Wharf is Gleeson Homes’ wonderfully located mix of two-bedroom apartments and town houses right in the heart of Tonbridge. Situated right opposite the River Medway, these homes are ideal for those who enjoy riverside rambling, boating or just sitting and looking at a tranquil river view.
This development is perfect for those who want to be in the middle of things; it is just off the High Street, putting supermarkets and shops right on the doorstep, and the train station and further shopping options are within walking distance.
The homes are designed very much in keeping with London’s fashionable wharf developments. Modern, vibrant and light, they feature large windows which let in plenty of natural daylight, fitted kitchens including an integrated Bosch oven and hob, and downlighters.
‘This development is in a prime location in Tonbridge,’ says Ann Crick, sales manager. ‘It’s ideally located for families, couples and single people alike.’ Sales have been brisk, with over 80 per cent of the first phase sold or reserved since the development’s late-2003 launch. Current availability for the apartments starts at £167,500, rising to £210,000 for those with a garage.
The sales centre at Whitefriars Wharf is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Call in to pick up a brochure and take a look around, or contact the sales centre directly on 01732 365569. Find out more at gleeson-homes.co.uk.

Telford Homes is set to unveil its latest project, Aquarius Riverside, located off the town centre in Chelmsford, Essex. This joint venture with James Smith Estates is a four-storey  development offering one- and two-bedroom apartments overlooking the River Chelmer, as well as commercial space to the ground floor.
The homes are set within a converted and extended former office building and are due to be completed this autumn. The scheme offers spacious and varied living accommodation and most apartments feature river-facing balconies.
Chelmsford is only 20 minutes from the M25, half an hour from Stansted Airport and a frequent train service providing a 30-minute journey into London Liverpool Street. In short, the ideal location for commuters to London.

‘Chelmsford is an ideal location for someone who wants to be in the proximity of London but not swallowed by the big city,’ says Sheena Ellwood, sales and marketing director of Telford Homes. ‘Telford Homes’ previous development in Chelmsford, Little Docklands, was very popular with both investors and private buyers because the apartments were well priced and offered high-quality London-style living in a thriving commuter town. Aquarius Riverside follows the same highly-rated formula.’
Prices at Aquarius Riverside start from £150,000 for a one-bedroom property. The sales centre is located on Baddow Road and is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10.30am to 4.30pm. For more details call Telford on 0870 872 0987 or visit telfordhomes.plc.uk.

The Boardwalk in Eastbourne is Redrow’s latest development. And its location at Sovereign Harbour, adjacent to the award-winning marina in the beautiful South Downs, is sure to bring in the buyers.
The development will comprise 260 stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments, including 18 duplex penthouses. Most of the homes will feature aluminium and timber balconies and enjoy superb views of the sea or the inner harbour. The look of the six apartment buildings will be bold and eye-catching, with splashes of blue and yellow in combination with aluminium, wood and canvas to create an individual, nautical feel.

The apartments will boast a contemporary spec and the homes also benefit from a secure video door entry and swipe-card car park entry system. In addition The Boardwalk will provide improved facilities for berth holders and users of Sovereign Harbour Marina.
The first properties are expected to be ready for occupation by autumn next year. Register your interest in The Boardwalk by calling 0845 121 4440.

Barratt is offering funky riverside apartments in London at first-time-buyer prices at Thames Walk in Thamesmead. One-bedroom apartments in the new apartment crescent, which sweeps around a stunning riverside garden, will go on sale shortly at prices from around £165,000. New two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments in the crescent will start from under £250,000. Four-bedroom houses will also feature.

Thames Walk stands out from the new developments which have been built so far in the area, says Richard Reynolds, managing director of Barratt East London. ‘Most has been of traditional style and design. Thames Walk is different, offering very contemporary custom-designed apartments and houses that take advantage of a fantastic location, overlooking a broad and endlessly changing river panorama.’
For more information on Thames Walk call the sales office on 020 8316 5876.

Ryan Developers announce a newly launched show apartment at its Ocean View development, a beautifully situated development on the picturesque clifftops at Castle Keep in Broadstairs, Kent. Almost half of the properties have been sold off-plan; there are currently nine luxury two-bedroom apartments, including one penthouse, for sale at prices starting at £325,000 for a ground floor apartment.
This wonderful development boasts views across the English Channel to the rear, as well as views of Castle Keep itself and, to the front, North Foreland Golf Course. Joss Bay beach is accessible from the development, as is the surrounding Kent countryside.

The art deco styling includes white render with nautical details blending with a contemporary feel, resulting in a unique landmark which enhances the Broadstairs landscape. The two-storey properties have underground parking with two spaces per apartment. There is also a fitness centre with a well-equipped gym, sauna and steam room.
The first apartments are expected to be ready for occupation next month. To register your details contact Adam Akhurst at FPDSavills on 01245 269311.

Surrey continues to attract a wide range of buyers, who are drawn to its beauty and convenient position. Johnny Turner has a look at what developers are offering in this sought-after county.

With both green hills and mega-motorways, mansions and maisonettes, Surrey is an inspiring mix of city and country. Providing the perfect balance between modern bustle and timeless  natural beauty, this is a county that offers all a home buyer could want. And the latest set of properties on the market is stirring up plenty of interest.

Starting in the centre of well-connected Croydon, Bryant Homes offers Ninety Park Lane, a development that will provide a total of 44 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes. These homes are proving popular with investment buyers, says John Inglis, Bryant Homes’ regional sales and marketing director. ‘Investors recognise that all the benefits of central London are close by, but without the premium prices and rents.’

The superb transport options are practically on the doorstep; access to a 24-hour train service into central London is less than a mile away at East Croydon station, while Brighton and Gatwick Airport are also extremely easy to get to. Motorists will also find very convenient connections, with access to the national motorway network via through the A23, M25 and M23. And there’s no need to leave Croydon to find excellent shopping, bars, restaurants, cinemas and nightclubs.

The distinctive exterior of Ninety Park Lane is combined with well-equipped contemporary interiors. Every apartment has a balcony or terrace and there is the security of an audio entryphone system. CAT5e cabling is in place, allowing for adaptable TV, audio and internet connections.
There is currently a variety of two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes available at prices ranging from £239,950 to £389,950. For further information call 020 8760 9283 or visit the sales office at 90 Park Lane, Croydon CR1. Visit bryant.co.uk.

For those who want a combination of value for money and excellent location, Gleeson Homes’ award-winning Netherne-on-the-Hill is a must-see. Set in 180 acres of park and woodland, Netherne-on-the-Hill provides natural beauty and solitude, ideal for those who work hard on weekdays and need a place to relax during their off time.

‘Working in the City, I wanted a quiet getaway – somewhere I could go to relax,’ says Jonathan Yap, who has bought not only a home to live in at Netherne, but also one for investment purposes. ‘Netherne is extremely quiet and it has so many facilities – especially the tennis courts, cricket ground and the upcoming leisure centre with swimming pool.’ Yap also cites the commuter links as a big plus for the development. ‘All of the London-Gatwick trains run 24 hours with a stop at Purley; anyone living here can commute into London very easily at any time of the day or night,’ he says.
Gleeson Homes is currently offering a choice of apartments and town houses. The apartments are unusually large – larger, in fact, than many houses – and are located within the beautifully designed Zig Zag building. Prices for these range from £250,000 to £430,000. For more information visit the development , which is open daily from 10am to 5pm, or contact the sales team on 01737 553444. You may also visit the website at gleeson-homes.co.uk.

Buyers who reserve early at Crest Nicholson’s new Woodside Road development in Sutton will get a bigger choice of plots as well as the chance to personalise their home, subject of course to the stage of construction.

Woodside Road features just 13 beautifully appointed town houses arranged over three floors, offering flexibility of space with great scope for entertaining or even working from home. The location is very convenient; central London is just 25 minutes away by train, and Sutton enjoys a wealth of shopping and entertainment options.
Guide prices start from £295,000. To find out more about Woodside Road or register interest ahead of completion call the selling agents on 020 8642 2295.

KingsOak has taken reservations on over 70 per cent of the superb apartments at Victoria Place in Woking, where for a limited time the developer is offering to pay the five per cent deposit on selected plots (subject to terms and conditions).
Victoria Place is only a ten-minute stroll from the centre of town, placing residents within easy reach of speedy commuting options. The fast train service to London Waterloo takes only 26 minutes, while junction 11 of the M25 is just five miles away.
Prices currently start at £162,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £204,995 for a two-bedroom apartment with en suite facilities. Victoria Place is open Thursdays to Mondays from 11am to 6pm. Find out more about the remaining apartments and the deposit paid scheme on 01483 755307.

Award-winning builder Asprey Homes has unveiled its exciting new development in High Street, Esher, called 110. For the first time the mesh covering has come off to reveal the elegant exterior. This, says Asprey’s chief executive Bruce Walker, ‘is complemented by a contemporary interior design and finish. We are delighted to be able to show purchasers around.’
Each of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments includes a state-of-the-art specification; the stylish kitchen comes complete with granite worktops, brushed steel gas hob and electric oven, integrated fridge and freezer, dishwasher and microwave.
Prices for the homes at 110 start at £235,000. Get more information by calling selling agent Knight Frank on 01372 464496. You can also register your interest online at aspreyhomes.co.uk.

In sought-after Horley, Windsor Homes has just one of three homes remaining for sale. Located in Tarham Close, within a sought-after area just off Meath Green Lane, the high-specification four-bedroom detached homes are only half a mile from the town centre. From there, residents will find regular trains to Brighton and London, while motorists will find easy access to the M23 and M25 motorways.
Prospective buyers should call selling agent Connells on 01293 785346.

Blanford Mews, the new development by Bovis Homes in Reigate, is progressing well and the first selection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom properties is now available. The development features a unique collection of just 22 individually designed homes, including spacious two-bedroom homes, stylish three- and four-bedroom town houses and five-bedroom ‘room in the roof’ properties, which offer flexible living accommodation over three floors.

All properties on the development include Bovis Homes’ ‘all-inclusive’ specification package, with a variety of kitchen unit designs and an array of integrated modern appliances. Sales manager Barbara Airlie says, ‘Each property at Blanford Mews has been individually designed to create a development that is both appealing and distinctive. The interior of each property has been carefully planned to provide attractive and practical living areas, and to make the most of the available floor space.’
The sales office is open Thursdays to Mondays between 10am and 5pm. Call 01737 768418 for more information.

A brand new show home has just opened at Swan Hill’s Nightingale Place, a select collection of just eight two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes in popular Haslemere. The show home is designed to display the spaciousness and character of these stylish homes and is decorated with a palette of beige, brown and buttermilk and a combination of luxurious fabrics that make the interiors even more enticing.
Nightingale Place is set within the beautiful Surrey landscape and built around a central courtyard. Of the eight homes there are three different styles, each of which has its own decorative features, including attractive lead-covered roofs over both the bay window and porch.

The homes provide spacious, flexible accommodation which still maintains all the comfort and character of a country cottage. Specification is to the usual high standard that is expected of Swan Hill homes. High-quality designer kitchens by ALNO are set off with stylish stainless steel integrated appliances. Bathrooms and en suites feature classic white sanitaryware with quality chrome fittings.
Haslemere is ideal for commuting, shopping and entertainment, and its proximity to Guildford gives residents even more retail options. Current prices start at £345,000. For more information contact selling agent Hamptons on 01428 642307.

At Crest Nicholson’s Woodsome Grange development in Weybridge, the sales centre stays open until 7pm on Thursdays to cater for the increasing number of commuters who want to view these prestigious homes.
Woodsome Grange is one of the house builder’s newest and most sought-after developments. Located off St George’s Avenue, it features a choice of just 17 three-storey, four-bedroom terraced town houses and one detached two-storey gatehouse. Selected homes will feature garages and all will enjoy a secure setting with a high degree of privacy.
Prices at Woodsome Grange currently start at £495,000 for a four-bedroom detached home. Call 01932 845621 for further information.

East Grinstead, West Sussex

KingsOak Southern Counties is now offering Ashdown Court, a select development of just 49 cleverly designed one- and two-bedroom apartments set within two distinctly different buildings – Ardingly and Felbridge Houses. Each offers a choice of apartment layouts, including en suite facilities, breakfast rooms and separate lounge and dining rooms. Prices start from £235,000 for spacious two-bedroom apartments. Call 01342 300669 for details.

Basildon, Essex

Bellway has now opened a sales centre at its new Upper Headingley development in Nevendon Road, an extension to the popular Headingley Grange development completed by Bellway in 2000. The first release includes two-bedroom apartments priced at £135,000 and a selection of two- three- and four-bedroom houses priced from £180,000 for the two-bedroom Woodridge style. The sales office is open Thursdays to Mondays 10am to 5.30pm. Call 01268 272938.

Hackney, London

The latest phase of Barratt’s new development in the heart of east London, East Central, offers stunning contemporary apartments in a 16-storey tower. East Central is a sleek, ultra-modern development featuring the striking tower at one end and a smaller block at the other, and will ultimately comprise 159 apartments within easy walking distance of London Fields mainline station. Prices start at £198,995. Call 020 8986 6793.

Hampton, Middlesex

CDC2020 has recently launched its superb new development Hampton 55, a collection of nine two-bedroom apartments in Wellington Road within walking distance of Hampton Hill High Street. Combining urban style with a village atmosphere, apartments at the development boast en suite bathrooms to the master bedrooms, a second bathroom and a spacious living/dining room. Guide prices start at £280,000. Call Andrew or Robert at selling agent Featherstone Leigh on 020 8948 4044 to register interest.

Shinfield, Berkshire

Crest Nicholson has seen such success with phase one at Montague Park that is releasing phase two ahead of schedule. The latest phase will comprise 63 individually designed two-, three- and four-bedroom homes located in a peaceful residential area, just four miles from the excellent shopping, entertainment and employment amenities of Reading. Prices for phase two start from £209,950 for a two-bedroom house. Call 0118 988 5704.

Turnford, Hertfordshire

Rialto is offering customers to Canada Fields some great offers depending on availability. Currently remaining homes include the two-bedroom Knightsbridge, priced from £171,000, with an offer of five per cent cashback and stamp duty paid on selected plots; and the Cavendish and Grosvenor styles, both with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The former is priced from £185,000 and the latter from £187,000, with five per cent cashback available on both. Call 01992 633751.

Thamesmead, London

At The Gateway Fairclough homes is currently offering spacious four-bedroom town houses priced from £266,950 as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments that are ideal for first-time buyers, priced from £159,950. The properties represent excellent value – the houses, for example, are offered with carpeting throughout. A new show home is now open at The Gateway. Call 0845 676 0162 for information.

Banstead, Surrey

Barratt has acquired land with stunning views over Surrey’s green belt for a development of luxury apartments, Chatsworth Park. The development will offer 24 new two-bedroom apartments in a classically-inspired hilltop building, and will be accessed via a sweeping quarter-mile drive through a private paddock. Prices for these luxury apartments are expected to start from £280,000. For further details call 01483 505533.

Linden and Watford FC team up

Watford Football Club has pledged its support to the Linden Homes Peace Hospice Golf Classic at The Grove in Chandlers Cross on 4 June.

Club Captain Neil Cox will be joined by the club’s current player of the year Gavin Mahon, as well as reserve team manager Nigel Gibbs and physio Luke Anthony in playing golf at the charity event, making the day extra special for those participating from local companies. Club legend Luther Blissett will also be present.

Helen Todd, sales and marketing director of Linden Homes Chiltern, says: ‘We are delighted that members of Watford Football Club are able to be involved. The club has also donated a signed shirt for the charity auction, which will be available alongside a signed shirt from Lennox Lewis, a host of prizes from our suppliers such as Siemens and a signed Saracens RFC shirt from our recommended solicitors MAB of Watford.’
Thirty three teams will compete at the event. For more information regarding sponsorship or taking part, contact Natalie Silver at Linden Homes Chiltern on 01895 827400.

New buyers like new homes

Research by SmartNewHomes.com has shown that new homes are proving increasingly popular with first-time buyers.

First-time buyers accounted for 16 per cent of home purchases in 2003, while among buyers of newly built homes specifically, first-time buyers made up 29 per cent, indicating that new homes are proving an attractive option for buyers taking their first steps on the property ladder.

There are many excellent developments within easy reach of the City and Canary Wharf, London’s leading commuter destinations. Johnny Turner has a look at some highlights.

Hundreds of thousands of people travel in to the City and Canary Wharf daily, to insurance companies and banks, newspapers and the service industries. All manner of professions are represented and all types of people are employed there. For those working in one of these twin centres of commerce, the commute is key. And finding a home with convenient transport connections is crucial. With today’s crop of new developments buyers will be able to put their energy into their work and leave behind the hassle of a difficult commute.

In Ballymore’s New Providence Wharf, in fact, there is no commute at all for those who work in Canary Wharf. And at this sought-after development the time saved on the journey to and from work can be spent in a state of luxurious relaxation. Ballymore has just launched the magnificent new health spa there, the first managed gymnasium complex in a Docklands residential development.

The health spa is 6,500 sq ft in size and rivals independent competitors in terms of products, courses and services offered – but not in price. The spa includes a fully equipped gym, pool, spa pool, fitness studios, treatment rooms, sauna, solarium, steam room and even a hairdressing salon – everything the busy professional needs to look and feel great.

The health spa’s schedule will also appeal to those who work hard; the gym, fitness studios and treatment rooms are open from 6am to 11pm, while the wet areas – the spa, Jacuzzi, sauna and solarium – are open from 6.30am to 10pm. The use of the gym and spa is free for residents, who are also able to bring up to two guests to use the facilities.

Residents can work up a sweat on the high-specification Life Fitness equipment. And the gym also includes a fully facilitated free-weights area, where they can really work on muscle tone. The fitness rooms and studios offer an enticing range of courses, including yoga, tai chi, Pilates, Salsa, aerobics, box-out and circuit training.

New Providence Wharf provides over 700 apartments as well as commercial, hotel and leisure facilities. Prices at the development start from £280,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £395,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further sales information contact the Ballymore Properties marketing suite on 0700 070 1701.

Weston Homes has opened a new sales centre at its 41 Millharbour development. The £100 million waterside complex, situated in the heart of Docklands, comprises 352 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses. The stylish sales centre, featuring a scale model of the site, a show kitchen and plasma screens, befits what is Weston Homes’ most prestigious development to date.
Only two stops from Canary Wharf Tower, the development is ideally located for those who work in Docklands. It has been projected that 100,000 people will be working in Canary Wharf by next year, and 41 Millharbour is part of a large multi-million-pound plan to create a built environment of over five million square feet of office space, retail and leisure facilities, including a World Trade Centre.
The apartments are highly distinctive, with layouts that maximise space and natural light.

Floor-to-ceiling windows are a design feature, and many of these are dual-aspect. The properties are designed around a central landscaped courtyard which features a stunning water garden complete with fountains and a separate winter garden. The homes feature all safety and convenience requirements, including a full concierge service, CCTV, 24-hour security, video entryphones, lift access and secure underground parking.
For sales information contact the sales and marketing suite on 01992 558855.

A new mixed-use scheme in Islington is being created from the former offices of the British Standards Institute. Called 101 Islington, this development by Tilfen Land is located on Pentonville Road, between King’s Cross and Angel. Those who work in the City will find a very quick commute by bus or tube.
This development has been designed for low-maintenance, contemporary living to a specification unusual in the Islington area. All apartments will have underfloor heating, for instance. And the contemporary Manhattan kitchens feature Caesar Stone quartz worktops and stainless steel Neff integrated appliances including an American-style double-height fridge/freezer. Bathrooms, including the en suites, come furnished with white Ideal Standard by David Chipperfield sanitaryware, full-height mirrors and Vola chrome fittings.

High-tech features include Cat-5e cabling, TV/FM/satellite and BT points are standard throughout. Or there is the option of a ‘plug and play’ IT package which provides a range of options including lighting and curtain automation, surround sound system and home cinema. Along with the entertainment possibilities, this makes working from home simple.
The location is excellent, being just a five-minute stroll from the many bars, restaurants and cinemas of Upper Street. Prices start at £315,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. For further information contact DTZ Residential on 020 7710 8116.

For those who want to combine a pleasant suburban lifestyle with ease of commuting, Linden Homes has just launched Amber House, a prestigious new collection of just 15 two-bedroom apartments in Honeypot Lane, Stanmore. The Jubilee Line connection means an easy ride to Canary Wharf, and the City is also within easy reach.
Those who reserve their home off-plan will be able to personalise the property to their taste through a range of specification options, subject to build stage. Guide prices for the homes at Amber House start at £270,000. Find out more by calling selling agent Preston Bennett on 020 8954 0044.

Greenwich is a great location, offering history, green space, river frontage, great amenities and convenient transport. Telford Homes offers a new development in this sought-after area, called Ingenium, a scheme of 12 two-bedroom apartments and duplexes located on the southern edge of the area and offering buyers a fantastic opportunity to invest in this expanding market.
The benefits of Ingenium are many and varied. It boasts excellent travel connections and is served by three DLR stations – Elverson Road, Deptford Bridge and Greenwich – all of which offer a swift and convenient 16-minute journey to Canary Wharf as well as a 27-minute ride to Bank, making the development ideal for workers in both the City and Docklands.

In addition to this the history and beauty of Greenwich Park is within easy walking distance, fantastic for a picnic on a hot summer’s day, as is Greenwich’s lively social scene, which boasts stylish bars, trendy restaurants and good old fashioned British pubs. Sheena Ellwood, sales and marketing director for Telford Homes, comments, ‘Ingenium is all about location: Greenwich provides buyers with a village atmosphere, within minutes of beautiful parkland combined with exceptional transport links.’
And it isn’t just the location that makes Ingenium special; internally, all apartments and duplexes are finished to a high specification and benefit from a spacious living area on the first floor, featuring French doors, finished with a Juliet balcony, that allow light to flood into the room. Externally, the inspiration for the development draws upon the historic industrial architecture of the 1850s. The façade features ornate brickwork, glass and steel combined into a warehouse style.
Prices at Ingenium start from £225,000. Call selling agent Acorn New Homes on 020 8663 4466 for details.

Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV), located right by North Greenwich tube station, is perfect for those who work in Canary Wharf – it is only one stop away on the Jubilee Line, which also connects with central London. North Greenwich station is also the end of the line for a plethora of local bus services, opening up access to Woolwich, Charlton (from where mainline services access Charing Cross, Waterloo East, Cannon Street and London Bridge) and Welling, via the retail park, which hosts Sainsbury’s, B&Q, Curry’s, a cinema and several eateries.
Overall, GMV is an environment where the car is not a high priority. Parking is available at extra cost, with spaces under landscaped courtyards or concealed by landscaped banks, but many residents are turning from the car to alternative modes of transport.
Currently available at Parkside, the latest phase of release, are two- and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses, with prices from £215,000. For further information contact the visitor centre, open Mondays 1 to 6pm, Tuesdays to Fridays 10am to 6pm and Saturdays to Sundays 11am to 5pm, on 020 8293 6900. Alternatively visit website parkside-gmv.co.uk.

Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward has just launched much-awaited Alta Vista, the second and final release of apartments, duplexes and penthouses following the successful launch of the Vista Building in 2002, where 150 homes were sold on the launch weekend. Alta Vista is a ten-storey building which is being converted and refurbished from a commercial office by Kerrington Developments. Located in central Woolwich, the development comprises 224 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, all of which boast stunning views across the River Thames towards the Millennium Dome and Canary Wharf.
David Rick, land and new homes director of Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, comments, ‘Following on from the success of the first release of apartments in 2002, there has been a tremendous amount of interest in this much-awaited launch of the upper floor apartments.

‘Woolwich has become one of London’s new property hotspots due to the extensive investment and numerous redevelopment initiatives currently taking place in this area, which are part of the government’s Thames Gateway regeneration project. In addition, improvements to local communications, including the extension of the DLR, will allow direct access to Canary Wharf, London City Airport and the rest of Docklands, further increasing this area’s growing popularity.’
The eighth-, ninth- and tenth-floor apartments are now available for sale, priced from £150,000. To find out more call 020 8855 8188 or visit website altavista-london.com.

Land is in short supply these days, and developers are finding new uses for buildings and land which have some fascinating stories to tell. Anna Bowden looks at new homes with interesting histories.
There is always a buzz associated with buying a home, but what if your new property had an interesting history as well? Then you would really have something to talk about. To combat the shortage of land, new homes developers are more and more frequently refurbishing and/or converting buildings with a former life to create great new homes for people, enabling buyers to not only enjoy high-specification, high-quality living, but also to live in a property with a past.

Beechcroft has recently completed a sensitive conversion of a former Grade II listed mansion and its outbuildings at Cobham Park in Surrey, creating 21 new luxury homes. Five of these homes – The Mews Cottages – are located in the former stable yard and each cottage offers modern benefits combined with the charm and character of the original buildings. Outside, the cottages have their own decked patio areas, large enough to accommodate a table and chairs and, inside, a specification and style that is a world away from the cottages’ humble origins.
Contemporary features include limestone fireplaces, fully fitted kitchens, stylish bathrooms, underfloor heating, designer light fittings, deep fitted wardrobes, wool carpeting and comprehensive wiring systems.
Prices for The Mews Cottages at Cobham Park range from £640,000 to £710,000. Call 0870 240 3128 for more information.

The houses at Try Homes’ Coombe Hall Park development are now almost complete, and with a staircase now fitted within the Coombe Hall building, the eight apartments are now accessible for the first time. Converted from a former Tudor revival house on Coombe Hill Road in East Grinstead, West Sussex, this exclusive development comprises seven new detached and link detached homes plus the apartments, with all properties benefiting from a range of shared facilities including almost seven acres of grounds, a tennis court and a natural pond.

Nick Champness, sales and marketing director of Try Homes Southern Region, comments, ‘The apartments at Coombe Hall Park have been carefully designed to offer the highest standards of accommodation. At Try Homes we understand that many people who are looking to move to an apartment do not want to compromise on space and several of the apartments have the equivalent area of a four-bedroom house, with the only difference being that the accommodation is arranged on just one floor.’
Apartments start from £250,000 and houses start from £575,000. For details call 01342 302522 or visit tryhomes.co.uk.

Berkeley Homes is currently transforming a former rubber and plastics factory on Ordell Road in Bow, London, into a gated residential scheme known as Bow Central. The development will provide 146 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and 14 three- and four-bedroom town houses as well as covered and surface parking and landscaping. The buildings will range in height from four to five storeys, with façades, some curved, of glazing and contrasting brickwork plus sleek, simple columns, picture windows and Juliet balconies.
Mark Dickinson, operations director at Berkeley Homes North East London, says, ‘Bow Central is a classic regeneration project that will transform a redundant industrial site in an up-and-coming inner city location into a new collection of homes, creating a truly sustainable young and vibrant neighbourhood.’
Bow Central is located in the heart of Bow within 500m of Bow Road tube station and Bow Church DLR station, ideal for those who work in the City or Canary Wharf. Prices start from £165,000 for a one-bedroom home. Call 020 7321 2122.

Barratt’s stunning development of 252 new homes on an eight-acre site in Sunbury in Middlesex in now almost all sold out, weeks ahead of construction. Windmill Gate, constructed on land previously occupied by a redundant industrial estate, offers apartments starting in price from as little as £140,000.
The development stands in its own landscaped grounds and boasts a central garden square, ample private parking, a children’s play area and new public open space. Interiors are highly specified. Available now are studio apartments from just £139,995, one-bedroom apartments from £179,995 and two-bedroom apartments from £224,995. For further information call 01932 787283.

Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward is now selling three apartments and two houses at Henry Tate Mews in Streatham, London, the conversion of Park Hill House, Sir Henry Tate’s former Grade II listed home. The elegant homes are accessed through electronically controlled gates and the grounds incorporate a pond, a unique 25 ft octagonal folly and a grotto.

The three three-bedroom homes have been converted from the wing of the main house, which used to house the original Tate Gallery where Sir Henry kept his treasured art collections. Overlooking a private courtyard, the two duplex apartments offer their own private terraced balconies, while the third has an elegant colonnade.
The chapel has been extensively refurbished to create three four-bedroom town houses comprising family rooms, studies and views onto a covered terrace. One even boasts a superb indoor swimming pool.
Currently available properties start in price from £395,000 for an apartment and £575,000 for a house. Call 020 8769 8744 to find out more.

Higgins Homes has recently acquired a redundant petrol station in Rotherhithe, south-east London, to be converted into eight one- and two-bedroom apartments and six designer three-bedroom houses. Copper Point is a gated development based around a central courtyard, constructed in a blend of copper, cedar and brick elevations. Boasting an ultra-modern look, the apartments are located at the front of the development, overlooking Lower Road and Southwark Park beyond, while the houses are at the rear of the site and offer maximum privacy.

The interior specification is high. Designer kitchens by Urban Myth are sleek and stylish and boast a range of integrated appliances by Smeg, including stainless steel  oven, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. Bathrooms offer contemporary sanitaryware from Ideal Standard.
Prices at Copper Point start from £249,950. Call 020 8508 6000.

The county of Kent offers the setting for a wide range of lifestyles, from country to town to commuter. Those in search of a new home will find a great choice of locations and styles to choose from, finds Johnny Turner.

The Garden of England continues to attract buyers for several reasons: commuters love its proximity to London; young families can find a spacious and affordable home in a pleasant environment; single people like the nightlife in the growing county towns; and those who seek exclusivity will find stunning homes in the more upmarket enclaves.

Portland Homes, in its 21-year existence, has become known for building small developments of well-designed homes that enhance the environment in which they are built, contributing to a safe and lasting community. This reputation for care and dedication to quality is certainly evident in its recently launched development Walnut Tree Close in Westerham. This delightful private enclave of just six houses has as its focal point a splendid mature walnut tree, and the cottage-style homes are traditionally built.

Each well-proportioned property has three bedrooms, an en suite shower room to the master bedroom, a garden and parking for two cars. The high-specification finishes include granite worktops in the farmhouse kitchens, limestone and mirrors in the modern bathrooms, and each home has a gas fireplace in the living room and fitted carpeting throughout.
The location is superb. Westerham is surrounded by undulating countryside and is only four miles from junction 5 of the M25, offering easy access to London.
Only four homes remain for sale, including a stunning fully-furnished show home which is open for viewing Fridays to Sundays between 10am and 4.30pm. For further details contact James Millard on 01959 565756.

Environ Sunley has had excellent response to the unique properties in the first two phases at its award-winning Lacuna development in West Malling. Now Sunley has launched new apartments at zone C of the development, which offers a superb contemporary living environment.
The superb architecture at Lacuna has, in fact, recently garnered the prestigious Building for Life Gold Standard Award, which is a government-backed awards scheme involving the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and The House Building Federation.
The new apartments at Lacuna comprise a mixture of stunning two- and three-bedroom properties, some of which feature cathedral ceilings and open-plan living. Several properties have either a decked garden area or access to a balcony.
The apartments range from £190,000 for a two-bedroom second-floor apartment, to £299,000 for a two-bedroom duplex apartment with two en suites. The marketing suite and show homes are open daily between 10am and 5pm. To find out more contact 01732 840256 or visit lacuna.uk.com.

Also in West Malling is one of Kent’s major current success stories – the Kings Hill development, an ambitious project in which a variety of developers are building high-quality homes in a number of styles and sizes, with various specifications. The site was once an airfield, which was used during the Battle of Britain. Now all types of buyers, including young first-time buyers, growing families and empty nesters are finding the home to suit them in this impressive, well-planned community.
When completed, Kings Hill will include 1,850 homes, with footpaths, bridleways and cycle networks linking the residential areas to a new commercial community.
Kings Hill is very well connected, with a shuttle bus service to West Malling railway station, which offers direct links to Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations.
The development, which is set in a 650-acre landscaped environment, provides protected heath, parkland and mature woods, as well as amenities such as a par-72 golf course, large supermarket, tennis courts, a nursery and primary school. In keeping with its village-type feel, there is also a local pub and community hall.

At Kings Hill, Crest Nicholson has announced the launch of the new show home at Carters Grove. The scheme of 37 properties will include two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses; the first phase includes five apartments and two two-bedroom houses, as well as a three-bedroom and a four-bedroom house.  The new four-bedroom two-storey show house will demonstrate to prospective buyers what the development has to offer in terms of space and style.
All of the homes at Carters Grove offer ease of access, parking facilities and outdoor space. The exterior of the show house is fully timber-fronted with protruding bay windows to the first and second floors. There is a porch, slate roofing and an intimate front flower garden, all of which combine to give the distinct feeling of a New England fishing village.
The development is only two miles from West Malling train station, providing access to Cannon Street or Victoria in 50 minutes. Junction 4 of the M20 is within four miles. Prices for the current release of properties start at £199,999 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information contact the sales office on 0870 755 9760.

Hillreed Homes is offering a part exchange scheme on a magnificent detached five-bedroom home at its highly regarded development Broadleaf Wood in Kings Hill.
‘This is an excellent way to purchase as it cuts out the trauma of marketing and having numerous viewings,’ says Jo Richards, sales and marketing co-ordinator for Hillreed Homes. ‘The method which we employ ensures that both parties reach a satisfactory agreement on the price of the re-sale property, being based on three unbiased valuations by experts.’
The Midhurst house type, a distinguished home of superb proportions, is on the market at £659,950. The property has five substantial bedrooms leading off the impressive galleried landing. The master bedroom has en suite facilities plus a dressing room, while bedroom two also has an en suite and there is a further family bathroom. There are four substantial reception rooms, a kitchen with large breakfast room, separate utility room and a fabulous conservatory
For those whose homes are already under offer or who are in a position to exchange quickly, Broadleaf Wood offers an opportunity to save up to £10,000 for an exchange within two weeks of reserving a plot. The discount is £8,000 for a three-week exchange and £6,000 for a four-week exchange. There are other properties currently being marketed at Broadleaf Wood; prices for five-bedroom detached houses with double garages range from £534,950 to £659,950.
For further information on Hillreed Homes at Broadleaf Wood call 01732 875520 or visit hillreed.co.uk.

Rydon Homes has launched a stunning development of town houses in a coveted location near Bromley town centre. Hillyer Place, located in Winchester Close, is a collection of six four-bedroom town houses, superbly situated just a few hundred metres from the popular Highfield Junior School in South Hill.
Built with the family in mind, the homes are large and spacious. The specification is excellent, with bathroom suites from Villeroy and Boch, Italian kitchens by Euro Cucina which feature sleek granite work surfaces, and fine detailing throughout. Each house has its own garage and parking facility.

Bromley is a popular outer London borough with more than 35 square miles of protected countryside, woodland and parks to explore – an ideal location for bringing up children. And with London just 12 miles away, those whose work takes them into the capital will find a convenient commute. Homes at Hillyer Place are available from £459,950. Call Rydon Homes on 01342 827098 or visit rydonhomes.co.uk.
In beautiful Sevenoaks, Sunley is revealing its plans for a prestigious forthcoming development. Clarendon Heights will consist of 17 one- and two-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom semi-detached houses, located in what is one of the town’s most desirable addresses, Granville Road.
The retained period property at the development, a large 1920s family home known as Westways, is to be refurbished into two four-bedroom semi-detached houses, each of which will boast approximately 2,100 to 2,200 sq ft and utilise existing features.

Two new apartment buildings will be created within the grounds. The first will be contemporary in appearance and will feature nine one- and two-bedroom apartments, with a penthouse suite occupying the entire top floor. All of the apartments will have at least one balcony or terrace with some benefiting from either two terraces or a large terrace with two aspects. The apartments will all be open-plan in design.
The second building, the Glass House, will comprise eight apartments over two floors resembling a Mediterranean terrace. Two of the apartments will be two-bedroom open-plan designs with large glazed windows to three aspects. The other six apartments will have one bedroom featuring a south/south-west aspect. All apartments in the Glass House will benefit from a large private terrace.
All residents at Clarendon Heights will have secure underground car parking. Sevenoaks is extremely convenient for transport links, with Sevenoaks train station putting London within 30 minutes and the M25 motorway within two miles. There are many highly regarded state and private schools within a five-mile radius, as well as a good range of shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and outdoor sporting opportunities such as golf courses and riding schools.

Find out more about Clarendon Heights and register your interest by phoning 0800 085 2222.
CALA is currently offering homes in Chislehurst and Tunbridge Wells. Kemnal Park in Chislehurst offers two completely different styles of show homes, which let prospective buyers see how various materials, colours and fabrics can be combined to embellish an empty space. The first look is classic and sophisticated, making use of gold, black and cream, while the second boasts a fusion of bright, contemporary colours with textured surfaces and clean, architectural furniture and sleek lines.
Only a few apartments remain at Kemnal Park, including the sumptuous penthouse. Those who are interested in a stylish apartment in this sought-after area are urged to act quickly. Find out more by visiting cala.co.uk.

Also from CALA comes Norfolk Grange in Tunbridge Wells, which offers buyers two- and three-bedroom apartments with the ultimate in contemporary comfort and style. Positioned in the town centre, among the many trendy bars, restaurants and shops of this sought-after area, Norfolk Grange offers the ideal home for those who work in London but prefer to live in an environment that is more relaxed while still ‘happening’. Norfolk Grange is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, which enhance social interaction and evoke a sense of community and place.
Prices at Norfolk Grange start at £325,000. Visit the sales office at 18 Church Road (two doors away from the development), open daily from 11am to 5pm. For further information call 01892 614238.

Another Tunbridge Wells  development is Millwood Designer Homes’ exclusive Copperfields, which offers beautiful views – and much more. The select scheme offers detached homes, one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom townhouses, some of which even back on to farmland, ensuring a stunning view of the rural surroundings.

The location, on the corner of Forest Road and Bayham Road, secluded but also within close proximity of the centre of Tunbridge Wells. Copperfields is very convenient for amenities and excellent communications links. Millwood has already received a huge number of enquiries. For further information contact selling agent Bracketts on 01892 533733 or visit mdh.uk.com.

Beckenham, Kent

Asprey Homes is now offering purchasers the ultimate convenience with its Asprey Mews development, a stunning collection of two- and three-bedroom mews homes arranged around a courtyard setting. The development is perfectly located within minutes of Eden Park mainline station as well as a host of shops, restaurants, health and leisure facilities and a cinema. There are just seven three-bedroom homes remaining, at prices from £339,995. Call selling agent Acorn New Homes on 020 8663 4466.

Haywards Heath, Sussex

Crest Nicholson is offering an excellent part exchange scheme on two beautiful family home designs -- the Starling and the Ruddock – at its Bolnore Village development. The former is a four-bedroom design overlooking the playing fields, and boasting spacious family-sized accommodation, two en suite bathrooms and family bathroom, priced from £445,000. The latter is a three-bedroom semi-detached design with en suite to the master bedroom, and fully fitted kitchen, priced from £275,000. Call 01444 440052 for  more information.

Luton, Bedfordshire

Redrow Homes is now offering three-storey living at Park View, its development of high-specification homes located just off New Bedford Road. So far popular with young professionals and commuters, and first-time buyers in particular, Redrow has now released a selection of three-bedroom homes suitable for a wider range of buyers, including families. Prices start from £222,995 for the three-bedroom Kingston house type. Call 01582 400211 to find out more.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Millwood is currently building its Copperfields development, a delightful collection of six three-, four- and five/seven-bedroom detached houses, including the popular Yeoman style, as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom town houses. Located on the corner of Bayham Road and Forest Road, the development benefits from a prime setting, with some of the houses backing onto farmland. For prices call selling agent Bracketts on 01892 533733.

Braintree, Essex

Fairview New Homes is currently creating Tabor Place, a new development of smart apartments for purchasers aged 55 and over located in the heart of existing development Taborgardens. When complete Tabor Place will comprise 38 two-bedroom apartments and will offer such specialist features as a house manager on call 24 hours a day and emergency bells in each home. Prices start from £141,950. Call 01376 328091.

Loudwater, Buckinghamshire

Only five homes remain at KingsOak’s Grosvenor Court, an attractive development of one- and two-bedroom apartments in London Road. There is excellent access to the M25 via nearby junction 3 of the M40, ideal for commuting to central London. It is also convenient for p