New Homes - June, 2005

Whether you commute or work from home, whether you prefer a quiet village or a bustling market town, Essex has got it covered. Johnny Turner takes a tour of some of the county’s finest new homes.

Essex has all sorts of surprises up its sleeve. This commutable county has long been a favourite of home buyers. But with the selection of developments available at the moment, it is difficult to see how anyone can fail to find the home of their dreams within its borders.

In Shrub End, Colchester, Chelsteen Homes have recently launched Churchfields, a new development of quality apartments situated on Shrub End Road, on the edge of the town centre. Traditional in style, the 22 apartments are set over two red brick and cream rendered buildings, with layouts in a range of styles to suit a wealth of lifestyle requirements and budgets. Prices currently start from £119,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £139,950 for a larger two-bedroom two-bathroom design.

Modern interiors include kitchens in a range of three contemporary styles with electric ovens, ceramic hobs and integrated appliances. Bathrooms have white sanitaryware with chrome mixer taps, as well as an Aqualisa mains-pressure thermostatic shower valve and shower screen.

These quality apartments also incorporate a range of communal features including landscaped gardens with mature trees, an audio entryphone system, mains power smoke detectors, allocated parking and a communal cycle store and refuse area.

The properties will suit the lifestyle requirements of first-time buyers, commuters, professionals and mature downsizers seeking a low-maintenance home which provides good value for money. Indeed Chelsteen Homes is offering a special moving in package to all purchasers, creating further savings.

For commuters, the A12 is close by and there are easy-to-reach mainline links at Colchester North station, with services into London Liverpool Street taking under an hour. For more information about Churchfields contact selling agents Abbotts on 01206 548211 or visit chelsteen.co.uk.

Near the historic market town of Braintree, Redeham Homes is selling Jeffrey’s Court, a luxury development where only a few two-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom house remain for sale. As if the attractive homes were not enough, there are currently some excellent incentives on offer for the decisive buyer.

A new apartment can be yours to move into with five per cent deposit paid, stamp duty paid, legal fees paid and survey fee paid. And Redeham Homes will even give you £500 of Ikea vouchers when you move in. The remaining house comes with fitted carpets, as well as stamp duty, legal fees and survey fee paid. Pay just £99 to reserve a brand new home at this exciting location.

Jeffrey’s Court is within walking distance of the village’s own railway station and is therefore ideally located for the commuter. It is also convenient for both the A120 and A12, giving access to the motorway network. Local shops, schools and leisure facilities are close by and Braintree is just two miles away.

Each home is equipped with a fully fitted kitchen including oven, hob and hood, integrated fridge/freezer and washer/dryer.

To find out more and to make an appointment to visit, please contact joint selling agents Connells on 01376 552222 or Beresfords on 01376 348444.

Also by Redeham Homes, Scholars’ Mews is an exciting new development in the village of Great Totham, an environment that provides a perfect backdrop to their new apartments. These luxury homes provide for both the rural activities of village life and all the convenience of modern living. Each apartment enjoys contemporary innovative design and stylish modern interiors, with every comfort you could wish for. This select development has only 12 two-bedroom apartments and one duplex apartment on two floors. All have luxury fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, stunning bathrooms/en suites and ample parking.

Great Totham and its surrounding countryside offers a wealth of activities to relax or stimulate you. Whether you enjoy golf, fishing, equestrian pursuits, country walks or visiting the coast, all are close to hand. When work intrudes, you will find the village is ideally situated for national and international travel. The mainline station is approximately three miles away and there is easy access to the A12 and the motorway network. Stansted Airport is some 25 miles away.

A show home and marketing suite will be opening shortly. For preliminary information and an invitation to the launch, please contact Redeham Homes’ appointed Agent, Fenn Wright of Witham, on 01376 516464.

In Great Baddow, property consultants Savills are now holding viewings at Craiston Mews, the latest development by Matthew Homes. Craiston Mews is a courtyard of just five traditionally built two-storey three- and four-bedroom homes situated in Craiston Way in this much sought-after village.

This first glimpse of Plot 1, the Arundel house type, which is nearing completion, will give an insight into the generous accommodation available. This includes a 22’11 x 12’2 kitchen/family room plus a utility room, a 19’11 x 13’6 living room, study, cloakroom, family bathroom and four bedrooms with an en-suite shower to bedroom 1. And if that’s not enough, the stunning countryside views must be seen to be appreciated.

Great Baddow is not new to Matthew Homes; five years ago they constructed a similar development of detached houses in Galleywood Road, and the success of this development gave Matthew Homes confidence in the location, with its local shops and schools, in addition to the further extensive facilities available in Chelmsford. The surrounding road network adds to the convenience of Great Baddow, a village with good access.

Prices start at just £330,000. To get more information and a full-colour brochure contact Savills on 01245 269311 or go online to matthew-homes.com or savills.com.

Bermac Properties has an impressive presence in Essex, offering collections of apartments that are both high-spec and well priced, ideal for the owner-occupier and investment purchaser alike. Following its recent successes at such developments as Creed’s Farm in Epping, the developer announces its latest luxury development, Navigation Yard in Chelmsford.

Work is well underway at the new scheme, which is situated adjacent to Kenmore House off of Navigation Road. The central location offers purchasers easy access to Chelmsford’s vibrant town centre and commuter links.

The development will be set over four storeys with a mezzanine level, and the apartments will offer generous living accommodation; one-bedroom apartments range from 472 to 528 sq ft, while the larger two-bedroom specifications will have 679 to 821 sq ft. Each apartment comes with an allocated parking space, included in the purchase price.

Prices are expected to start at £180,000. Off-plan enquiries are currently being taken. Contact Richard Green on 01245 344444.

There are also a few properties remaining at Bermac’s Urban Pulse development in convenient Wickford. This development is equally good for commuters and investors, as trains into Liverpool Street take only 40 minutes. There are high-specification kitchens with stainless steel integrated appliances, elegant white bathroom suites and between 475 and 88 sq ft of space.

Prices start at £125,000 for one-bedroom apartments and £150,000 for two-bedroom designs – a real bargain for such a well-connected location.

For further details on the remaining apartments at Urban Pulse contact the sales team at Bairstow Eves on 01268 761121 or call Simon Burtonshaw at Quirks Estate Agents on 01268 560650.

One of the most highly regarded locations in the county of Essex is historic Colchester, where Gladstone Homes has opened a stunning new show apartment at its Braiswick Chase development.

Beautifully situated in the highly sought-after Braiswick district of Colchester, the development offers ten unique properties created within two striking buildings. These apartments combine high quality with added lifestyle benefits: situated on the north-west outskirts of Colchester, Braiswick Chase gives residents spectacular views across designated strategic open land and woodland adjoining Braiswick Golf Course.

Homes include two one-bedroom apartments and eight two-bedroom layouts, as well as an exquisite duplex property set over two floors with stunning views to the rear. Features include under-floor heating, first-class fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances and a choice of ceramic tiles and fitted wardrobes to master bedrooms.

For commuters, Colchester North station is a short distance from Braiswick Chase, and services to Liverpool Street station take approximately 45–50 minutes. The current release of apartments is expected to start from £159,000 for a one-bedroom specification – and Gladstone Homes is offering tailored incentives to purchasers. For further details call Margaret Bottwood at the sales office on 01206 842402 or visit gladstonehomes.co.uk.

St James Homes is selling Buckhurst Gate, an exclusive new scheme of 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments in Buckhurst Hill. These high-style, low-maintenance homes are ideally suited to the modern executive.

Privacy and security are watchwords at Buckhurst Gate, with the development boasting such high-specification features as secure underground parking, video intercom entry and fire alarms. For the typical professional, the ‘lock up and leave’ aspect is important; high-flyers spend more time away on business these days and need to know they can rely on the security of their home.

Buckhurst Gate is situated at a former Thames Water site, where old administration buildings have been demolished to make way for the two blocks of stylish apartments. Here residents will find the best of modern urban living very near the countryside; the development enjoys stunning views of the London skyline, while beautiful Epping Forest is very nearby.

The city centre, with its convenient rail station, is just a ten-minute walk, making London very accessible for the commuter. The M11, M25 and the rest of the South East are within easy reach by road, and Stansted Airport is only a 30-minute drive away. Find out more about the stunning homes available by calling 020 8504 4117 or visiting stjameshomes.co.uk.

At Bryant Homes’ new development in the village of Orsett, three inspirational show homes are open. With homes varying from one- to five-bedroom designs, these show homes are a handy way of representing the breadth of options available to buyers.

Bryant Homes’ regional sales manager Sara Stanhope says, ‘Show homes are always a big pull, but the Edlingham, Cranbourne and Gosworth designs at Bryant at Orsett have not only attracted a great deal of the local market – word has spread and we’ve had purchasers from futher afield too.’

The extremely spacious five-bedroom Edlingham takes the best features of a traditional family home and combines them with modern luxury; the three-storey, three-bedroom Cranbourne is ideal for couples looking for extra space to entertain or work from home; and the four-bedroom Gosworth town house is perfect for growing families.

Nestled in the sleepy hamlet of Orsett, and offering apartments, town houses and detached homes the development is sure to have what most any buyer is looking for. Prices range from £154,950 to £614,995. For more information visit the marketing suite, open daily, or contact 01375 892278.

In popular Chadwell Heath, Romford, Laing Homes is selling Quarles Park, a lifestyle-enhancing collection of new three- and four-bedroom homes – and some attractive incentives.

The location is a wonderful combination of gentle, peaceful surroundings and excellent connections to work and shopping. Bluewater, Lakeside and London are all within easy reach.

Chadwell Heath itself offers a range of shopping, sports, fitness and entertainment amenities, while London Liverpool Street is accessible by train in as little as 20 minutes.

The design and specification are up-to-the-minute, which will appeal to both younger and young-at-heart buyers. There are spacious, contemporary kitchens and classic white and chrome bathrooms complete with thermostatic shows and a choice of complementary tiles.

The modern spec includes provision of wiring for home entertainment systems, allowing for the possibility of satellite TV, DVD, video and audio throughout the home or isolated via smart wall control panels.

Prices at Quarles Park currently start at £277,500 for a three-bedroom town houses. Find out more by calling 020 8586 4091 or visiting lainghomes.co.uk. Visit the marketing suite and show home on Grove Road, open daily 10am to 5.30pm (to 2pm Mondays).

One thing Essex has got plenty of is seaside, and this accounts for its popularity as a holiday destination as well as a place to live. Those in the market for a home near the water will be interested to know that Sand Island Developments Ltd is offering two new high-specification semi-detached houses and a refurbished apartment in Westcliff-on-Sea.

The apartment, located on London Road, was part of a project comprising the extension and alteration of an existing semi-detached property originally built circa 1900 into three self-contained units; besides the flat there is an office and a retail shop unit which are pre-let. The apartment has 506 sq ft of space and is on the market at £100,000.

The two new semi-detached houses are located off London Road at Ronald Park Avenue, and feature open-plan lounge/kitchen area, quality kitchens and bathrooms and integral garages. Competion on these homes is due in September of this year. Prices for the houses are to be confirmed.

Interest is high, so early enquiries are encouraged. Call Sand Island Developments on 01245 290003.

Crest Nicholson is selling Chantry Cross, an exclusive scheme of 13 luxurious four-, five- and six-bedroom detached homes. Located in the lovely village of Wickham Bishops and surrounded by acres of unspoiled woodland, these homes represent the best the market can offer.

There are six different individually gated house designs, specially chosen to harmonise with the traditional architecture of the village. Nearby Witham station provides direct services into Liverpool Street and Ipswich, meaning that although these homes are tucked away they are by no means cut off. Kitchen spec if extremely high and there is a choice of beautiful ceramic wall tiles.

Five properties remain at Chantry Cross, priced from £575,000. Call 0870 755 1628.

In Braintree, Countryside Properties has just launched a show apartment at its Eclipse development. The two-bedroom apartment with en suite bathroom is a fine example of the high quality of homes available.

The apartments, which range in size from 684 to 1,126 sq ft, offer great opportunities for first-time buyers. Kitchens and bathrooms are well designed and offer the best in specification.

Prices at Eclipse start at £145,000 for a two-bedroom apartmetn and £177,500 for a two-bedroom house. Call 01376 552164.

 

Esher, Surrey

The Ridings is a newly launched development by Fairview New Homes, located in Farm Road close to Sandown Park race course. Built in a private cul-de-sac with electronic entrance gates, the scheme will provide 40 homes including one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses. The town of Esher is in the heart of the Surrey ‘stockbroker belt’ and has a magnificent Victorian high street. It is served by excellent rail links to London, with frequent services to Waterloo station taking less than half an hour. Esher boasts a wide range of good schools and civic amenities. There are several golf courses, a cricket ground and ski slope, and the area is near five commons. Prices start at £175,000 for apartments and £315,000 for three-bedroom houses with en suites. For more information call the sales and marketing suite on 01372 469844 or Fairview on 0800 731 4477.

Shefford, Buckinghamshire

George Wimpey South Midlands has opened two stylish show homes at Michaelmas Green, its sought-after development on the edge of the village of Clifton. Properties currently available at the scheme include three-bedroom homes, priced from £197,995, four-bedroom props starting at £279,995 and five-bedroom homes from £399,995. The sales centre, located off Pedley Lane, Clifton, is open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 5pm. Call 07876 130393.

Borough, London

Tabard Square has stylish one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, many with extensive views across London. Located a short walk from the City, the scheme incorporates a landmark 22-storey tower and is complemented by a landscaped public square with facilities for shops, bars and restaurants. The sales and marketing suite is open seven days a week. Call 020 7403 7503 to find out more.

Larkfield, Kent

Leybourne Lakes, Berkeley Homes’ lakeside development, is ideal for buyers who want the seclusion and tranquility of waterside living combined with fast and efficient transport links. The homes are located on the edge of a 225-acre country park containing 11 lakes, with features such as cycle routes and water sports facilities. Two-bedroom duplex apartments start at £249,950. Call the sales and marketing suite on 01622 791723.

Crowthorne, Berkshire

CALA Homes offers Wellington Mews, a collection of 25 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments which range in size from 520 sq ft to over 1,000 sq ft. The development will have car ports and/or parking spaces and mature landscaped gardens. High specification includes stylish bathroom suites, designer kitchens with integrated appliances and audio entry systems. Prices range from £159,000 to £295,000.  Call 01344 773817.

St Albans, Hertfordshire

Charles Church’s Albany Heights development currenly has apartments for sale off-plan in Verulam House. The building has 12 two-bedroom apartments and a magnificent fourth-floor penthouse. Prices start at £269,995 for a two-bedroom apartment, while the two-bedroom penthouse is offered at £359,995. Call the sales office, open Friday to Monday between 10am and 5pm, on 01727 848399 or selling agent Aitchisons on 01727 855556.

Gillingham, Kent

Centex2020’s Visions development, located on Grange Road, has a superb range of homes, include three-storey, three-bedroom properties from only £192,500 and two-bedroom apartments start at £134,950. With the houses, mid- and end-terrace designs are available, all with lots of well-planned, flexible accommodation. This development is popular with a wide range of buyers, from first-time buyers to professional couples and families. Call 0845 676 0219.

There’s a lot worth looking at in the current crop of south London’s newly built homes. Johnny Turner sees what’s available.

South London offers home buyers a wide variety of very liveable neighbourhoods, from leafy suburbs to more central, urban-feeling environments. In short, the southern half of the capital provides most any kind of lifestyle today’s buyer seeks. And a wealth of high-quality newly built homes makes this region even more appealing.

In charming, up-and-coming Forest Hill, Acorn New Homes announces the opening of a new show home at Laurel Gardens, south-east London’s most exclusive address. The opening celebration will take place on 25 June between 10am and 4pm.
Built in the grounds of the former Christ Church, the homes have the excellent backdrop of a stained glass window of the original 18th-century church and elegant church spire. Each of the six four-bedroom houses features the best in modern specification, which includes solid wood kitchen cabinets, granite work surfaces, solid oak wood flooring and hand-painted finishes.
A balcony from the master bedroom and glass roof that partially covers the living area all add to the true opulence of these magnificent homes. Double doors lead from the lounge and spiral staircase from the kitchen to a private tiered garden overlooking the stunning rear elevation of the church. Boasting one of the highest hills in London, with spectacular views towards central London, beautiful architecture and history, Forest Hill offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere complemented by character and charm, with easy access to all the amenities required for modern living.
Prices start at £499,995. Call Acorn New Homes on 020 8663 4666 to view.

In the lovely, green borough of Merton, on the banks of the River Wandle, Countryside Properties’ Abbey Mills enjoys a unique setting with close proximity to central London. One- and two-bedroom apartments are currently available, ranging from 500 sq ft for a one-bedroom apartment up to a generous 1,150 sq ft in the recently released two-bedroom duplexes. In many of the apartments space is further enhanced by a private balcony or terrace, as well as open-plan living and dining areas.
Abbey Mills has an abundance of facilities right on the doorstep. Just opened within the development is a new Virgin Active Life Centre. It offers a swimming pool and a luxury spa area with hydrotherapy massage pool, solarium, sauna and steam room, in addition to a gym, workout studio and fully licensed café bar. For added convenience for when friends and relatives come to stay, a 132-bed Premier Travel Inn has recently opened.

The renowned Merton Abbey Mills weekend market, with its pretty Grade II listed buildings and famous water mill, is just a few steps away and is perfect for the casual browser. Antiques, books, crafts, clothes and jewellery are all on display and there is a wide range of international food stalls. There is also a farmers market selling organic produce and a wide selection of farmhouse cheeses. On the riverbank, you'll find your new 'local' – the attractive William Morris pub.
Merton is one of the greenest London boroughs and boasts ten recently established nature reserves totalling over 500,000 square metres, as well as a host of parks and recreation grounds. All of this, yet it is under 30 minutes from Waterloo on the Northern Line.
Apartments at Abbey Mills will be ready for occupation this summer, with prices staring at £184,950 for a one-bedroom apartment, £234,950 for a two-bedroom apartment and £314,950 for a two-bedroom duplex apartment. There is also as an added incentive of five per cent deposit available, worth up to £12,000. For more information please contact the Abbey Mills marketing suite on 020 8543 6377 or visit abbeymills.com.

With the All England tennis championships once again in full swing, attention naturally turns to Wimbledon. And as players and fans alike wax rhapsodic over the beauty and wealth of amenities to be found in this corner of south-west London, home buyers are also very impressed with what the area has to offer. Goldcrest Homes’ Lanherne Gate is a good example of the sort of high-quality home on offer in this very sought-after spot. And many of the purchasers at this development are affluent people who are looking to downsize from a larger home, typically £2–3 million home elsewhere in Wimbledon.
Lanherne Gate’s spacious apartments mean downsizing needn’t be drastic; the two/three-bedroom apartments offer up to 1,527 sq ft. And the location, just 15 minutes from Wimbledon Village, is ideal for shopping, dining and a range of leisure pursuits.
Prices start from £350,000 for the one-bedroom bungalow and £425,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Contact selling agent Quinton Scott on 020 8971 3800 or 020 8971 6780.

Polychrome by Higgins Homes is a vibrant collection of 12 one- and two-bedroom apartments in well-connected Waterloo. The development reflects its urban, innovative location, combining low-rise architecture with influences from the Cubist art movement. Interiors are contemporary and spacious with large open-plan kitchen/living areas. Located under 400 metres from Waterloo International station and close to the abundance of music, fine dining and theatre on the South Bank, Polychrome is the ideal pied-a-terre for commuters and lovers of contemporary urban living.
Prices at Polychrome start at £219,500 for a one-bedroom apartment and £285,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information, please visit higginshomes.co.uk or call 020 8508 6000.

Finally, KingsOak has released the first homes at a brand new scheme in Colliers Wood. Brooklands Park is a superb development of just 26 apartments and houses on the site of a former primary school, and the newly released homes include three- and four-bedroom houses as well as two-bedroom apartments. The homes are located in an attractive setting next to a large area of open space, and the little brook running behind the development gives it its name.

KingsOak is also building similar house types nearby in Hamilton Gate, Morden; those who want to get an idea of the design and quality that is coming to at Brooklands Park should stop buy at Hamilton Gate and take a look. Prices at Brooklands Park currently start at £234,995 for a two-bedroom apartment and £349,995 for a three/four-bedroom three-storey town house. For more information call 020 8685 0773.

Westminster, London

Those who want to be at the heart of everything will want to have a look at The Pimlico Apartments, Charles Church’s very popular central London development. The first phase is well over half sold already, so to get in on the action at a stylish and wonderfully located address hurry to the marketing suite. The stunning new fifth-floor show apartment is an impressive three-bedroom apartment with a substantial open-plan living/dining room, private balcony and superbly equipped kitchen. The views of the London skyline are magnificent, and transport is extremely convenient. A range of incentives is on offer and prices from range from £420,000 for a two-bedroom apartment to £500,000 and up for penthouses. Call 020 7630 5785.

Ealing, London

Crest Nicholson is pleased to announce a collaboration with W J Daniel Stores to create a stunning new commercial and residential scheme in Uxbridge Road. Construction has begun on a new department store to replace the former building, along with a five-storey residential element. Release is scheduled for early next year. Call the Crest Nicholson head office on 01932 840999 to find out more.

Bromley, Kent

One is Centex2020’s latest development, where buyers will find much more than the run-of-the-mill collection of homes. These 24 private apartments exhibit contemporary flair and are aimed at young professionals who work in Bromley and London. Inside the show apartment the designers have made use of cherry red as a bold accent colour to complement the lime tones. Visit cdc2020.com for more information.

Grays, Essex

The Courtyard is an exclusive new development by Fairview New Homes containing 86 one- and two-bedroom apartments, located close to the town centre and railway station. The apartments are situated in two stylish buildings within an electronically gated cul-de-sac, with secure parking for each apartment. Two-bedroom apartments start at £164,950. To find out more contact the sales and marketing suite on 01375 372366.

Camberley, Surrey

CALA Homes’ Focus development has received a huge amount of interest from the buying public since its launch just a few months ago. The 98 contemporary-style one- and two-bedroom apartments range in size from approximately 400 to 1,000 sq ft, and the location near the town centre means high style is joined by convenience. Prices start at £178,500. Contact the marketing suite on 01276 675341.

Brentford, Middlesex

The Island, a joint venture between Charles Church and Crest Nicholson, announces the forthcoming release of its five truly breathtaking Mill Houses, where prices are expected to range from around £600,000 to £800,000. Arranged over four storeys, the modern and high-spec homes are ideal for families. Finish is top-notch and views are wonderful. Call 0870 758 1010 or visit island-life.co.uk.

Northwood, Middlesex

Fairclough Homes has sold 80 per cent of the apartments at Viceroy Court in this highly sought-after town. The last three are all spacious three-bedroom, three-bathroom duplexes, priced from £440,000. There are also six four-bedroom town houses remaining, most with a terrace and integral garage, priced from £599,950. Call the marketing suite, open daily, on 0845 676 0164 for more information.