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New Homes - September, 2005

 Wednesday, September 28, 2005
New Homes
Camberley, Surrey

Laing Homes is now offering Hope Fountain, its new collection of just 11 luxury properties including six three/four-bedroom homes and five four/five-bedroom homes, all of which all have a bonus room on the second floor. The homes are built to Laing’s usual high-specification, with Symphony fully fitted kitchens, all with integrated appliances, cable TV points accessible to all bedrooms, a burglar alarm, general fittings and home furnishings. Homes at Hope Fountain start from £379,950 for three/four bedrooms and from £525,000 for four/five bedrooms. Call 01276 686170 for details.

Reading, Berkshire

Buyers at Westbury Homes’ Chapter House can enjoy the peace and quiet of the development’s semi-rural location – set within beautiful landscaped gardens – while also enjoying the great transport links and modern conveniences of the town centre. Chapter House is a secure gated development of 32 luxury two-bedroom apartments, some of which boast their own private balcony, with eight different designs to choose from. Reading itself is excellent for commuters, with London 30 minutes away by train and the M4 close by. Prices start from £275,000. Call 0118 958 9060.

Shinfield, Berkshire

Crest Nicholson South is seeing great success with its Montague Park development, where buyers are flocking to reserve the individually designed two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. The development is located close to some of the county’s finest countryside but is also a mere four miles from Reading and its shopping, entertainment and transport options. Prices start from £199,950. Call 0118 988 5704.

Greenwich, London

Laing Homes has just launched a new development of seven four-storey Georgian style town houses and just one two-bedroom triplex apartment in Greenwich, called Feathers Place, designed to provide all the facilities required for the modern lifestyle. All homes boast Laing’s pre-wiring system to ensure the ultimate luxury and convenience. Town houses start from £825,000 and the triplex from £435,000. Call agent Humphreys Skitt & Co on 020 8858 1102.

Wandsworth, London

Riverside Quarter, the new £180 million riverside community created by LCR Developments Ltd and FairBriar Plc, has now opened its first on-site show apartment, designed to highlight the quality and high specification of the homes. Prices start from £385,000 for a luxury two-bedroom apartment. Call 020 8877 2000 for further information.

Docklands, London

Barratt has made almost 100 sales at its spectacular Capital East development in Royal Victoria Dock, which will eventually comprise over 700 apartments in a series of glass-walled buildings. Prices currently start from £231,995. Call 020 7476 7163.

Teddington, Middlesex

Wilson Connolly has recently unveiled a new town house show home at its prestigious Langdon park development. The town houses offer spacious and flexible living accommodation over four storeys, perfect for families. Prices start from £575,000. Call the sales centre on 020 8977 8552.

Horsham, West Sussex

Gleeson Homes Southern has a new development, The Courtyards, set in a picturesque semi-rural location in Christ’s Hospital near Horsham. A unique development of 57 new homes, ten refurbished properties and a renovated barn which will create more new homes, the properties are built around a series of traditional English courtyards. For prices at The Courtyards call 01403 754917.

posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 11:27:01 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
Essex
Essex’s mix of suburbs and county towns makes for a convenient, pleasant lifestyle – and its current crop of new homes means it is even more of a draw. Johnny Turner sees what’s on the market.

When I think of Essex, several things come to mind  and no, I don't mean jokes. I think of countryside, coastline, market towns and country pubs. The last decade or so has seen unprecedented growth in the county, a fact that is not lost on new home developers. Builders have been busy catering for the many thousands of home buyers who have decided that London, however exciting, is not worth the hassle or the expense. After all, a commute from deep into Essex can be as quick as a tube ride across the capital. And the homes that are now being built have raised the bar, both in convenience and specification. So when canny buyers think of where they want to live, an increasing number of them think of Essex.

A good example of why this is can be found in Buckhurst Hill, where Laing Homes is now selling the first release of Iceni, a collection of 24 luxury two-bedroom apartments. Sophisticated and elegant, the homes at Iceni will appeal to young, busy professionals who demand style and have little time to devote to maintenance. Located just one mile from Buckhurst Hill Central Line tube station, this gated development is extremely convenient for those who work in the City or West End of London.
The apartments feature a choice of Symphony kitchens and the pick of Porcelanosa wall and ceramic floor tiles (subject to stage of build). High-tech wiring includes satellite and alarm, and there is a video entryphone. In short, all the modern apartment hunter needs to ensure convenience, security and style. Prices for apartments in this release start at £294,995. For more information call 020 8508 5424 or visit lainghomes.co.uk.

In Barking, there are two current developments of apartments that will have buyers rushing to get in on the action. First, Rialto offers Hewetts Quay, a collection of 120 stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments in seven individual buildings ranging in height from three to five storeys. The location, alongside Barking Creek at the mouth of the River Roding and just seven miles from the City of London, is fantastic for those who work in the capital but want a less stressful out-of-hours environment.
Transport connections are plentiful; motorists will find easy access to the A406 and A13, which in turn make for a quick route to the M25 and M11 motorways. By rail, Barking station offers a direct service to Fenchurch Street, and tube users can take the Hammersmith and City or District Lines into central London.
The design is a superb mix of traditional dockside-style exterior elevations and clean, contemporary interiors. Specification at Hewetts Quay is high, featuring extra-wide front doors, sliding patio doors, beech-effect laminate floors to the kitchen and living room, and bathrooms with modern chrome-finished fittings. Some apartments feature balconies and all have either an allocated parking space, undercroft parking or a garage. Vehicle access to the development is controlled through electronically-operated entrance gates. A show apartment and marketing suite are open daily from 10am to 5.30pm. Current prices range from £180,000 to £198,500. Call 020 8591 9566 to find out more.
Coming soon is another Barking bargain, Persimmon Homes’ Sixpenny Court in Tanner Street, where two-bedroom apartments are priced from an amazing £165,000. The first completions on the site are expected in May 2004. Get more information on Sixpenny Court by calling selling agent Bairstow Eves on 020 8591 3840. You can also visit persimmonhomes.co.uk.

Those looking for something a bit different should head to Chelmer Gate at Beeleigh Link in Chelmer Village, where Bellway is building 34 homes including apartments and two- and three-bedroom houses. The design is dynamic and contemporary, emphasising space and light. The three-bedroom Baddow house type, offering 1,798 sq ft of living space, is much roomier than most four-bedroom houses, and its extraordinary feature of a third bedroom, measuring 24’8 x 17’7 taking up the entire second floor with an en suite shower room, will appeal to buyers with teenage children - the parents have the choice of either using the second floor bedroom as their haven or banishing their teenager to this roomy hideaway! The Baddow is priced from £310,000, while the two-bedroom Downham house type starts at £230,000. Get more information from the Chelmer Gate sales office, open daily from 10am to 5.30pm. Call 01245 493796.

Laing Homes offers Quarles Park, a fabulous new development in Chadwell Heath, where all manner of shopping and entertainment options are tantalisingly close. Both Lakeside and Bluewater are easy to get to, and the weekly food shop is a breeze with a large Tesco just a short walk away. And don’t forget the wide choice of restaurants and bars, or the high street shopping available in Romford and Ilford. Set on Grove Road, at the heart of Chadwell Heath, Quarles Park is a tastefully designed collection of new homes ideally positioned to take advantage of excellent local amenities. Specification includes luxury fitted kitchens, integrated appliances and home entertainment facilities. There are two distinct phases to the development; the first, on sale now, consists of two-bedroom houses (priced from £215,000) and four-bedroom town houses (from £299,950). To get full details call 020 8586 4091 or visit laing-homes.co.uk.

Sales at Barratt’s new Clarendon Park development in Chelmsford have now reached the halfway point, as buyers become aware of the elegance and connectedness of the homes. In fact, all of the apartments have now been snapped up, although buyers are left with a wide choice of designs, including elegant four- and five-bedroom family homes, all in traditional red brick. Built on the site of the old Chelmsford isolation hospital, which had long been a derelict eyesore, both houses and apartments are now being built in a design style which echoes the features of a typical Essex market town. ‘Clarendon Place is great value for money and a super place to live,’ says Brian Bloomfield, sales director of Barratt Eastern Counties. All homes at Clarendon Park feature fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms, double glazing and energy-efficient gas central heating. The four- and five-bedroom houses also offer integrated kitchen equipment. First occupations are now taking place and completion of the development is expected next year. Call 01245 290013. Another Barratt development in Essex where sales have taken off is The Laurels in Witham. Weeks in advance of commencement of the construction programme, homes are being reserved by buyers who have an eye for an opportunity. The development offers a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. Feature include spacious living rooms, designer fitted kitchens, en suite and fully fitted bathrooms, double glazing, energy-efficient gas central heating and either garages or private parking. These superb homes are located in the heart of one of Witham’s most desirable and convenient residential areas, well regarded for its easy transport, good amenities and excellent educational provision; there are nursery, primary and secondary schools all within walking distance of The Laurels. Prices range from £139,995 for a one-bedroom apartment; from £162,995 for a two-bedroom home; from £209,995 for a three-bedroom home; and from £239,995 for a four-bedroom home. Call the sales centre at The Laurels, open daily, on 01376 503919.

Over to Ilford, where two new show homes have opened next door to each other at The Parks in Loxford Lane. At the Fairclough Homes development they are building a range of attractive three- and four-bedroom town houses in this largely residential area. The surrounding area is characterised by allotments and nearby school grounds providing surroundings with lots of space. New houses are comparatively rare in Ilford, so there is bound to be a great deal of interest in The Parks. The town houses are over three floors and offer good flexibility to suit modern lifestyles. The Worcester town house, for example, has three bedrooms, all of which can be used as doubles, together with two reception rooms - a family/dining room opening to the garden and a separate living room. The Clarendon town house has two double bedrooms (one with a walk-in wardrobe/dressing area), two single bedrooms and an integral garage. Prices at The Parks start at £234,950. Call the sales centre, open seven days a week, on 020 8911 8875.

Wilson Connolly presents its Nightingale Park development in Colchester, where there will be five different designs of four-bedroom homes and ten styles of three-bedroom homes. Examples of the latter include the Averham town house, priced from £169,995, and the Byford, which starts at £154,995. There is also currently a four-bedroom Stratton house released for sale at £210,995. Nightingale Park is located off Brinkley Grove in north Colchester, an area with good public transport into the town centre as well as good local amenities. Call the sales centre on 01206 752556 for further information.

At Countryside Properties’ Pelham Gate in Rayleigh, ten different styles of new home are on offer, which creates an attractive and interesting street scene. The development has been thoughtfully landscaped, with features such as a central tree-lined square. All homes at Pelham Gate have traditional-style exteriors incorporating both rendered and brick frontages with timber features. The interiors, by contrast, are contemporary and feature many modern details, including Philippe Starck sanitaryware. Two-bedroom apartments are on sale, priced from £152,500 to £170,000. Countryside also offers purchasers full value part-exchange as well as stamp duty paid on selected plots, subject to terms and conditions. Call 01268 786900 or visit pelhamgate.co.uk.

Buy-to-let investors will be interested in Hallmark Developments’ Logica scheme in Chelmsford, a collection of 12 select two-bedroom apartments with gardens and parking. Chelmsford is a popular and lucrative location for investors, boasting consistently high rental yields and high demand for luxury housing from professional tenants. Logica is situated on Lynmouth Gardens, just a ten-minute walk from the mainline station, which provides links to Liverpool Street taking only 35 minutes. There are currently six apartments remaining, priced from £170,000. Call selling agent Abbotts on 01245 293286 for more information.

Tabor Gardens, a smart new development by Fairview New Homes in Braintree, is offering not only a good choice of homes but some very attractive incentives as well. Comprising three- and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom apartments, Tabor Gardens has been designed around attractive landscaped areas. The four-bedroom houses offer a spacious sitting room, a separate dining room and a fitted kitchen, as well as a master bedroom featuring an en suite bathroom. There is an additional guest bathroom and a garage. Braintree is an ancient Essex market town that enjoys excellent communications, with direct rail services from Braintree station to London Liverpool Street taking approximately one hour. The M11 is 16 miles away, offering access to London to the south and Cambridge to the north. Stansted Airport is approximately 14 miles away. Four-bedroom houses are priced from £222,000; three-bedroom mews-style houses start at £188,000; and four-bedroom town houses are priced from £235,000. Call 01376 328091 or visit fairview.co.uk.

At Redrow’s Trinity Mews in Ashingdon only a few properties remain – and the award-winning builder will also consider part exchange on selected plots. According to Elle Roberts, field sales manager for Redrow Homes (Eastern), ‘With our part-exchange scheme our customers can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that there is a guaranteed buyer for their existing property without the anxiety and disappointment that can be associated with chains.’ Purchasers can choose from the Shelley II, an attractive four-bedroom family home, or the Eastney, a three-bedroom town house offering spacious living accommodation over three floors. Trinity Mews enjoys a peaceful, semi-rural location just 40 miles from central London. There is easy access to Southend and Basildon, and rail commuters will find a train journey of approximately 50 minutes from Rochford station to Liverpool Street. For more information about prices and availability call the sales office on 01702 548994 or visit redrow.co.uk.

And finally, from the ‘coming soon’ file, Bellwinch Homes is looking forward to two new developments in Essex. Subject to planning permission, the developer will be offering a wide choice of homes in Rayleigh, constructed in varying designs which will appeal to purchasers with different tastes and budgets. There will be a choice of 81 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses as well as one-bedroom apartments. These attractive new homes will adjoin 100 acres of open space. Also subject to planning, Bellwinch is to construct a further 63 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom apartments at Chafford Hundred. The majority of these homes will enjoy views over Lions Gorge. This will be the developer’s second collection of new homes within the area. To register your interest and receive further information as soon as it is available, phone the sales hotline on 020 8902 7838. Find out more about other Bellwinch Homes developments by visiting bellwinchhomes.co.uk.

posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 10:59:30 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
 Wednesday, September 21, 2005
New Homes
Greenhithe, Kent

Crest Nicholson is offering tailor-made incentives at its award-winning Ingress Park development. Ingress Park is the dramatic transformation of the grounds of Ingress Abbey overlooking the River Thames into a scheme of 950 one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. Bespoke incentive packages involve such options as part-exchange, mortgage deals, legal costs or stamp duty paid, even assisting with furnishings and appliances. All properties at the scheme are designed to Crest Nicholson’s famous high standard. Apartments are spacious and open-plan, while houses are fresh and in tune with modern family living. Greenhithe station is only a 15-minute walk away. Prices start at £155,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £310,000 for a three-bedroom house. For further information contact the marketing suite on 01322 385050 or visit ingresspark.co.uk.

Weybridge, Surrey

At Boundary Park, a collection of only six high-style five-bedroom detached homes, only two remain for sale as CALA Homes opens another exquisite show home. Purchasers will have to act quickly to secure a home in this stunning location. With its stunning views over the park, the properties are surrounded by greenery. The remaining homes are priced at £1,195,000 and £1,695,000. Contact 01932 259945.

Grays, Essex

The Courtyard is comprised of 86 chic city-style two-bedroom apartments in a convenient location near parkland and Grays town centre. The Fairview Homes development offers low-maintenance living with extremely convenient commuting (just half an hour into central London) and very affordable prices. Prices start at only £132,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £162,500 for two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. Call 01375 372366 for more information.

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Zodiac is George Wimpey’s high-spec collection of apartments in popular Fairford Leys, a brand new community with convenient amenities and nearby countryside. The 28 one- and two-bedroom apartments, set in six stylish buildings, offer extremely well designed and spacious layouts to meet the needs of modern-day living. Two-bedroom apartments currently start at £151,995. Contact the sales office, open daily from 11am to 5pm, on 01296 399754.

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

For young people who want to strike out on their own, Persimmon Homes offers first-time buyers five per cent deposit paid, plus one per cent stamp duty paid and £300 towards legal fees at its Quartz scheme. The stylish range of contemporary two-bedroom apartments offers Shaker-style kitchens and en suite shower room. Prices from £195,000. Call agents Thomson Wilson on 0845 676 0196.

Borough, London

Berkeley Homes’ Tabard Square is a wonderful regeneration scheme near the Thames, offering 360 stylish one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses for private sale. It’s only a ten-minute walk to the City, and Borough tube and London Bridge station are just a couple of minutes away. Homes have light, airy living spaces, good security, underground parking and more. Prices start at £320,000. Call 020 7403 7503.

Westminster, London

Charles Church offers the Pimlico apartments, a superb collection of 77 stunning luxury apartments and penthouses, each superbly planned and meticulously finished. Many of the apartments feature private balconies, and the Thames is very nearby. The location is fantastic, with everything a Londoner could need practically on the doorstep. Prices currently range from £460,000 to £820,000. Call 020 7630 5785 or visit charleschurch.com.

posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:40:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
Where to buy in north London
The always popular part of London north of the river is seeing some fantastic opportunities. Johnny Turner explores.

The attributes of north London are too many to list. From culture to transport, green space to shopping, those who live in the northern end of the capital are spoilt for choice. And when it comes to buying a home, the wide choice and high quality are drawing more to this area than ever. Looking at the current selection of newly built homes it is easy to see why.

One thing north London has going for it is connectedness, and one of the most well-connected locations is Islington. At Tilfen Land’s 101 Islington on Pentonville Road, the choice of ways to travel, whether across town or out of town, is very wide indeed. Not only is Angel tube just a few minutes’ walk away, but the same applies to King’s Cross station, which offers access to more Underground lines than any other, not to mention quick and convenient trains to the North.
Staying in the area is a wise choice as well, with nearby Upper Street’s selection of literally hundreds of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops, as well as music venue and two cinemas, providing everything the modern lifestyle needs.

The apartments at 101 Islington, crafted from the former offices of the British Standards Institute, have been designed for low-maintenance, contemporary living to a specification unusual in the Islington area. All apartments have underfloor heating, while 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 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.
For further information about price and availability contact DTZ Residential on 020 7837 7272.

Besides the easy transport, the location of 101 Islington has much more to recommend it. Watford is a location known for its convenience. It is surrounded by gorgeous green space and
KingsOak’s new Queensgate apartments in Derby Road are conveniently located near to the Harlequin retail centre and at 20 miles from the City the rail connection from Watford Junction to Euston takes around 23 minutes. Prices for the new apartments at Queensgate currently start at £179,950 for a one-bedroom apartment and £239,950 for the two-bedroom apartments.
For further information on Queensgate call the sales hotline on 01923 810880.

Barnet is a special area of north London, much favoured by everyone from young single professionals to growing families to young downsizers. Blessed with good parks and schools and served by good tube and train connections, this area represents a good opportunity to live in a friendly community yet still partake in London’s commerce and bustle during office hours.
Barratt Homes’ Osidge Park development is set in beautifully landscaped grounds and offers a good choice of homes, including one- and two-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom town houses. The apartments boast a high specification, which includes designer kitchens with integrated stainless steel appliances, video/audio entry systems and parking behind a gated entrance. The houses, meanwhile, offer four double bedrooms, three bathrooms and very versatile living accommodation.
Current prices at Osidge Park start at £215,000. The sales office is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm and Monday from 2pm to 6pm. Call 01923 297311 to find out more.

Having stopped by the newly opened show home at Telford Homes’ Estilo project recently, I was impressed not only with the quick progress they are making in creating this mixed-use development of apartments, live/work units and commercial space, but also with the surprising affordability of homes in such a fantastic area.
With a choice of Old Street and Angel tube stations, residents will be close to everything, whether it’s time for business or pleasure. And City workers will have a choice of ways to get to work – everything from tube to bus to on foot!
Estilo is a selection of high-specification one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as duplexes. And the prices are extremely reasonable for such a high level of specification and such a fantastic location. Those who want an apartment that offers the best of both worlds – central and affordable – should waste no time getting in touch; only one one-bedroom apartment remains, priced at £267,500. There are also two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes, priced between £350,000 and £380,000. Visit the show apartment at the sales centre, located on Wenlock Road N1. For more information on Estilo – or any of Telford Homes’ smart, well-priced apartment schemes – call 0870 872 0987 or visit telfordhomes.plc.uk.

In leafy Enfield, Fairview New Homes presents Carterhatch Place,  which provides 93 stylish two-bedroom apartments, accommodated in two and three storey contemporary buildings, arranged in a series of landscaped courtyards backing on to the New River.
And with a current incentive on offer to purchasers, the development provides not only a fabulous chic apartment home in this waterside development, but also improves fitness. Fairview is offering free gym membership at a state-of-the-art David Lloyd club at Enfield, less than five minutes’ walk away, to purchasers who reserve an apartment before the end of October.
Many of the apartments will have views of the New River, an early 17-century aqueduct with superb waterside walks. The apartments will feature a separate kitchen off of the living/dining room, and many offer an en suite to the master bedroom in addition to the main bathroom. Some of the apartments have balconies from which to enjoy the view of the New River.
Southbury Station is less than three miles away, with its regular services to London Liverpool Street that take less than 30 minutes. The nearby A10 allows easy access to the North Circular and M25. Local shopping is available at the Southbury Road junction with the A10, and includes major names such as Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, B&Q and Argos. There is also a large cinema multiplex. For golfers there is a wide choice of golf courses nearby, including Forty Hill, Bush Hill Park, Trent Park and Enfield Golf Course.  

Two-bedroom apartments at Carterhatch Place start at just under £183,995, and Fairview New Homes is offering five per cent deposit and stamp duty paid. The David Lloyd Enfield club membership offer consists of one annual free membership per apartment purchased by 31 October 2005; the offer applies to selected apartments and is subject to terms and conditions. For further information please contact the sales and marketing suite, open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Call 020 8362 9519.
At St Michael’s Park in Bushey, KingsOak North London has sold almost all the apartments at the attractive scheme. However, buyers can still purchase a home at one of the area’s most sought-after addresses as there are three penthouses still remaining.

The final two-bedroom penthouses are particularly special as they feature large terraces, some of which overlook the grounds. Some include their own studies – ideal for those who work from home. The penthouses offer generously proportioned living space, quality carpets throughout in addition to elegant ceramic flooring, full-height tiling in the bathrooms and two private parking bays for each home.
Prices for the penthouses at St Michael’s Park start at just £369,950. The final two-bedroom apartment with two private parking bays is currently priced at £299,950. The development is open daily from 10am to 6pm. For full details call 01923 238137 or visit kingsoakhomes.co.uk.

Two new show apartments have just opened at VizioN7, a joint residential development by Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey in conjunction with Arsenal Football Club. Part of the redevelopment of the Highbury end of Holloway, the project includes the building of the Emirates Stadium, which replaces the old home of the Gunners.
Over half of the development is sold and the first purchasers are now moving in. Meanwhile, a new release to coincide with the launch of the show flats will bring to the market some of the best apartments on the scheme – and one-bedroom apartments start at a surprisingly low £230,000. There is a 24-hour concierge, and gated underground parking is available at an additional cost.
The location is excellent, with shops, restaurants and transport connections close to hand. The local Waitrose is a definite bonus, and nearby Upper Street is less than ten minutes on the bus, providing literally hundreds of places to eat, shop and have fun. Piccadilly Line tube services from Holloway Road are just a few minutes’ walk, while Highbury & Islington station has trains into the City as well as tubes into the West End.
Find out more about this impressive scheme by calling the on-site sales and marketing suite on 020 7700 7555 or visiting vizion7.co.uk.

St Michaels Park features just 14 three-bedroom semi-detached homes, four-bedroom three-storey townhouses, substantial four to five-bedroom detached homes, and 22 apartments, but buyers should hurry as there are only a few homes left.




posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:38:15 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
Smart apartments
Flats are in and there are a fantastic range of newly built examples on the market, finds Johnny Turner.
A high-quality apartment is a sought-after commodity to today’s buyer, whether they are a first-time buyer or looking to trade up or downsize. Developers are providing an excellent selection of apartments in a variety of locations throughout London and the South East.

In Penn, Buckinghamshire, KingsOak Homes is set to revitalise the popular Tylers Green area with a new scheme of homes on the site of a former home for the elderly. Ashwell Gardens will feature a choice of six particularly large refurbished apartments, complemented by two three-bedroom newly built semi-detached homes and 16 two-bedroom apartments.

As a listed building, the former nursing home will be sympathetically restored by KingsOak using its expertise in the area of brownfield regeneration and listed building refurbishment, says Bob Rutherford, sales director of KingsOak Thames Valley. ‘Ashwell Gardens will give us the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in the restoration area, as well as create a selection of much-needed homes to satisfy strong buyers demand,’ he says. ‘We anticipate that this new scheme will be very popular.’
Penn is an exclusive Chiltern Hills location near Beaconsfield and Amersham. Popular with commuters for its easy road and rail links to central London, it is a delightful
village location. Register your interest in Ashwell Gardens by calling 01494 818909.

In Ilford, with its lively nightlife, fabulous shopping and convenient transport, young professionals are finding the lifestyle very agreeable. And with Higgins Homes’ Vector, a highly contemporary collection of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments, buyers are finding the right homes to match the mood.
Vector is located in the centre of everything Ilford offers. Trendy designer shops and more traditional high street names are both within easy striking distance, while the station is a short walk away, meaning it’s not a day’s work getting to work in London and surrounding Essex towns. There is a health club nearby, as well as several good golf courses within driving distance. Culturally, the Kenneth More Theatre hosts a wide range of productions, from panto to opera.

The architecture of Vector is striking, and the modern smartness continues inside. The outside expanses of glass and metal cladding gives way to sleek, contemporary lines accentuated by the stunning kitchens and bathrooms. These homes speak of a modern, comfortable and low-maintenance way of life – perfect for a good balance between work and enjoyment.
Current prices range from £215,000 to £230,000. The sales and marketing suite and show apartment are open daily from 10am to 5pm. Contact 020 8508 6000.

EastSide is a collection of 132 apartments developed by Widacre Homes and Circle 33 Lifespace, offering everything from studios to two-beds, set in a location that is hard to beat in terms of proximity to the City and West End.
And as it is just a short walk from the future site of the Olympic village and stadium, EastSide will also offer further benefits that will accrue from London’s selection as host city: new swimming, cycling and hockey facilities in Stratford (just four minutes away by DLR) and the upgrading of Mile End Stadium. The local economy in Bow is also due to benefit immensely during the run-up to the Games. EastSide also offers that irresistible benefit – very affordable prices. The apartments start at £157,500 for a studio apartment, £179,950 for a one-bedroom apartment and £242,450 for two-bedrooms. For further sales information call Strettons Residential on 020 7422 0989.

Hounslow’s town centre is on the brink of a major reinvention, and Barratt’s Reflexion is set to be a big part of that. Reflexion will contain over 300 new homes, while the proposed Blenheim Centre will bring shops, bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as a cinema. Once completed this will truly be a centre of commerce, entertainment and high-spec living.
The design will be modern and the space light and airy. Many apartments will have balconies giving spectacular views over the Blenheim Centre. And transport is very convenient, with the Piccadilly Line just minutes away putting both central London and Heathrow within easy reach.
Prices currently start at £262,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. The marketing suite is now open. Call 020 8572 3668 to find out more.

Sutton is an extremely well connected location for those who want access to the best the South East has to offer without paying London prices. And Antler Homes’ Christchurch House is ideal for commuters. This collection of nine one- and two-bedroom apartments is ideally located close to Sutton train station.

Set back from a quiet residential road and surrounded by mature trees, Christchurch House has been built in a traditional design, to reflect the local Victorian architecture. The development incorporates communal gardens and each apartment benefits from an allocated parking space for each as well as visitors’ parking spaces. Each apartment offers an open-plan kitchen/reception room featuring a stainless steel gas hob, single oven, integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine.
Sutton offers an excellent variety of high street shops in a people-friendly pedestrianised area, including two shopping centres. There are also a number of leisure and entertainment options, including a six-screen cinema complex, a ten-pin bowling centre and a range of pubs, bars and restaurants.
Christchurch House is located less than half a mile from Sutton train station, where direct services travel into London Victoria in less than 30 minutes. The nearby A217 connects Sutton with central London and Junction 8 of the M25.
There are currently two-bedroom apartments available for sale priced from £250,000. The show home is open daily from 10am to 5pm. For further information contact the sales office on 020 8642 6628 or visit antlerhomes.co.uk.

Those for whom only an ultra-central location will do should have a look at the latest project by Modern City Living. The developer is transforming the historic Victorian Costume Warehouse at 9 Macklin Street in Covent Garden, formerly owned by theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh, into a scheme of just seven highly individual apartments. The apartments provide one to three bedrooms and include a duplex and penthouses, complete with entrance lobby, lift access and CCTV security.
Now known as The Costume Warehouse, the four-storey building dates back to the 1870s and was used for storing theatre costumes and providing associated office premises. It has an elegant brick and stone façade with arched windows as well as large industrial warehouse windows. There is stone, tile and brick detailing, completing the authentic picture of Victorian high style.
The warehouse stored and adjusted the magnificent costumes and accessories for some of Mackintosh’s most famous productions, including Miss Saigon, Cats, Oliver!, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.

Now Modern City Living is adding an exciting new chapter to the history of the costume warehouse, as it becomes one of the last warehouses in Covent Garden to be converted into apartments. With respect to the building’s history and fine Victorian features, Modern City Living’s skilful refurbishment will see the building retain its historic charm and character.
Many of the building’s original features, including the exposed steel columns, brick features and large windows, have been preserved and incorporated into the new apartments.
The Costume Warehouse provides one one-bedroom duplex, four two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom duplex penthouses with private roof terraces.

Each apartment has an individual layout. The one-bedroom duplex has a reception room on the lower floor incorporating a double-height atrium area. On the floor above is a stunning galleried bedroom suite which overlooks the reception area below. The two-bedroom apartments have an open-plan reception room and master bedroom suite with luxurious en suite facilities.

The upper floor of both penthouses is dedicated to living and entertaining with spacious reception, dining and study areas opening onto private rooftop terraces. The kitchen/breakfast area is situated off the dining area. The bedroom suites are on the floor below and two have en suite facilities.
The specification is, as you will imagine, top-of-the-range. Security is high, with dedicated audio/visual door entry system, CCTV security and individual alarm systems to all apartments.
Jeffrey Adams, managing director of Modern City Living comments: ‘These exclusive and select apartments combine history, character and style to provide attractive homes ideal for London living. Macklin Street is an ideal address since it is in between the offices of the City and the leisure provided by the West End.’
For further information on The Costume Warehouse contact EA Shaw on 020 7240 2255 or visit moderncityliving.net.

Another London location with that something extra is Berkeley Homes’ Z Apartments at Aragon Tower in Deptford SE8, where apartments are available for sale through Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward. This development offers a fantastic investment opportunity and properties are already selling quickly off-plan.

Spread over 29 floors, the apartments offer unrivalled dual-aspect views over Greenwich, Canary Wharf and the whole of London, taking in some of the capital's major landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, the ‘Gherkin' and BT Tower. When complete, the development will offer 144 two-bedroom split-level apartments and 14 two- and three-bedroom penthouses. Each home will also benefit from 24-hour concierge service and CCTV monitoring.

The apartments at Aragon Tower are highly unusual as they are arranged over three different levels, either ascending or descending (the ‘Z’ concept, in which each home is laid out like a Z). Some of the homes laid over three levels can have three different aspects as the levels are not necessarily on top of each other. This split-level design allows greater privacy between the living area and bedrooms, with the bathrooms located conveniently in between.
The homes will feature contemporary Pepper kitchens with white gloss laminate units, stone worktops and ceramic floor tiling. The bathrooms will include Villeroy & Boch suites, Porcelanosa mosaic-style ceramic grey wall tiling and Karndean flooring.
Currently two-bedroom apartments are available for sale, priced from £250,000. For sales information contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward on 020 7491 2055.

Apartments have come into their own as a more of us tend to forego the traditional model of ‘settling down’ in their twenties and even thirties, instead choosing to live with friends for as long as possible. Crest Nicholson has responded to this trend by creating two-bedroom apartments at Lancaster Square, its development in Ilford, which features two double bedrooms, perfect for single sharers.
Lancaster Square is ideal for single people who are looking for a home that’s close to all the action. Within easy reach of Ilford’s town centre, it’s also just a short stroll to Seven Kings train station, which provides direct services into London Liverpool Street in around 20 minutes.

The two-bedroom apartments, in common with all the properties at Lancaster Square, feature generously sized rooms with high-quality finishes. While there are several different layouts for the apartments, all feature large living/dining spaces with open-plan kitchens, while many boast built-in wardrobes and even Juliet balconies. The kitchens are fully fitted with Symphony design and boast a range of stainless steel Bosch appliances including single oven, hob and canopy extractor. All bathrooms, en suites and cloakrooms feature Villeroy and Boch sanitary ware complete with Hansgrohe accessories.

Lancaster Square is also ideally placed for car users who can access the M25 – and Lakeside and Bluewater – easily via the nearby A12 and M11. Prices for the two-bedroom apartments start at £187,500. For further information on Lancaster Square contact the sales and marketing suite on 0870 755 1640.

In popular Maidstone, Jones Homes is selling the first release of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments at Kingsgate, a select development with easy access to the M20 and Maidstone town centre.
Maidstone is a very relaxed, friendly place to live and offers a wealth of leisure pursuits. Set on the River Medway, Maidstone offers a six-mile-long Millennium River Park, which draws thousands of visitors each year. Many choose to reside in Maidstone for its mix of town and country, and for the ability to commute into London yet get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital out of work hours.
Prices start at £200,000. Call 01622 675730 or visit jones-homes.co.uk.

posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:30:18 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
New Homes
Maidenhead, Berkshire

The long-awaited show apartment at Robin Hill, Millgate Homes’ flagship development on Shoppenhangers Road will open its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday 15 October at 10am. There has already been considerable interest, with two of the 14 spacious two-bedroom apartments already reserved off-plan. Robin Hill benefits from a combination of stunning views across Maidenhead golf course to the rear and yet is within half a mile of Maidenhead town centre and train station. The generously proportioned apartments offer opulent accommodation, with bespoke designer kitchen units and a full range of appliances, plus light and airy living/dining areas. Each features two double bedrooms with en-suite facilities. There is also allocated parking. To find out more call the sales and marketing suite on 01628 631163.

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Those who work in the capital but require a home outside London will be interested in KingsOak’s Chiltern Place in sought-after High Wycombe. This collection of contemporary two-bedroom apartments offers style and high spec, not to mention very easy commuting into London’s Marylebone station. The apartments are priced from £209,950. For further information contact the sales centre on 01494 523407 or go online to the website kingsoakhomes.co.uk.

Cheddington, Buckinghamshire

This development of just three houses includes a pair of semi-detached homes with luxury kitchen/diner, garages and large gardens, priced at £299,950. There is also a four/five-bedroom detached home with cloakroom, luxury kitchen, lounge/diner, conservatory, master bedroom with en suite, guest bedroom with en suite cloakroom and a garage. Priced at £399,950. Call selling agents Three Counties on 01296 660447 for more information.

Pitstone, Buckinghamshire

This select development of four detached homes comprises three four-bedroom detached houses and one five-bedroom detached home. The Bromeholme is a four-double-bedroom detached house priced at £399,950. The Bramcote is a five-bedroom detached home with far reaching views towards The Ridgeway. It includes three rec rooms, luxury kitchen/breakfast room, guest bedroom and much more, priced at £469,950. Call Three Counties on 01296 660447.

Thatcham, Berkshire

At Kennet Heath, Redrow offers the four-bedroom, three-storey Teign, an ideal family home with amazing versatility. This ideal family home has a first-floor lounge, master bedroom with en suite shower room, and plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for the kids. Prices for the Teign start at £304,950. The five-bedroom Burns house type, also on three levels, starts at £384,950. For more information call 01635 863026.

Docklands, London

Furlong City has released the first apartments in the stunning K Block at its Royal Quay development within the historic Royal Docks. This collection of 61 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments has a high level of specification, including underfloor electric heating as standard and contemporary white kitchens. Prices at K Block start at £265,000. The sales and marketing suite is open daily. Contact 020 7055 0141.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

At Forest Ridge, an exclusive collection of just two highly specified five-bedroom homes by Millwood Designer Homes, a stunning view home is open every weekend between 10am and 4pm. And for a limited time, Millwood is offering its exclusive part-exchange scheme at the development (conditions apply). The homes include beautifully landscaped gardens and carpets throughout. Each home is priced at £695,000. Call 01892 516611.

posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:14:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
The best of west London
From urban bohemia to the leafy near Home Counties, west London brings in the buyers. Johnny Turner sees what’s available to buyers in the area.

West London has long since been famed for its exclusivity – the quiet residential turnings, thriving high streets, café lifestyle and the elegant homes – and the current vogue for building new homes on the west side means that the area offers more choice than ever. The current lot of newly built homes represents a great mix of quality and convenience.

In thriving, suburban Northwood, Fairclough Homes has seen great sales success with its prestigious Viceroy Court development, located in Carew Road. Alongside the only remaining town house, priced at £699,950, Viceroy Court has now released its final home, Martagon House, a unique link-detached four-bedroom, three-storey family home. The focus of the ground floor is a spacious living room with feature bay window. There is also a separate open-plan kitchen/breakfast room with doors to paved and planted areas surrounding the property. A further reception room can be used as either a dining room or study.

There is an en suite shower room as well as fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom, which, along with bedrooms three and four and a family bathroom, is on the first floor. The top floor is given over to a self-contained guest suite with a good-sized dressing area and shower room.
Martagon House is priced at £735,000. Both this home and the final town house are ready to move into.
Northwood is surrounded by green belt countryside and is also very well connected to the capital. Northwood Metropolitan Line station offers 35-minute journey times into King’s Cross and is also within the M25.

The marketing suite at Viceroy Court is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Contact sales executives on 0845 6760164 or selling agents Christopher Rowland on 01923 824225.

Linden Homes is selling Mode, an exciting new development in Spring Grove Road in Isleworth. The stunning collection of three-bedroom town houses and two-bedroom apartments has something for everyone. Plot 18, for instance, is a two-bedroom apartment built within the eaves of the building, covering the entire second floor and featuring sloping ceilings.
Helen Todd, sales and marketing director of Linden Homes Chiltern, says, ‘We are extremely excited about the Mode development and wish to encourage buyers to register their interest in these high specified homes now.’

The homes will boast designer kitchens from Symphony with De Dietrich appliances and, subject to stage of construction, a choice of ceramic floor and wall tiles from either Minoli or Porcelanosa. Bathrooms and en suites will have pristine white sanitaryware and chrome finishes.
Isleworth is a riverside town that hosts a range of shops, restaurants and leisure attractions, as well as easy proximity to Richmond, Kingston and central London. Communication links are superb, with central London a short drive or 15-minute train journey away. Osterley and Hounslow East tube stations bring the Piccadilly Line close by, and Heathrow airport is just ten miles away.
Price guide for the homes at Mode is £270,000 to £400,000. For further information contact Linden Homes Chiltern on 01895 827447 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk.

The marketing suite is now open at Axiom, where a range of elegant, contemporary-style apartments by Barratt are available. Only two apartments remain in the Sanctura building, while homes in Futura are 70 per cent sold. Axiom is part of the total renaissance of Feltham town centre, a project that covers one million square feet. The town centre will soon boast a vibrant new shopping experience, and Asda has signed on as part of the retail opportunities there.
The town centre will also boast new offices, a hotel, restaurants, medical and community centres, a new library and other amenities. Two-bedroom apartments currently range from £214,995 to £269,995, while further one- and two-bedroom apartments will be released soon. Call 020 8867 0382 to find out more.

Another Barratt development that is helping to shape the new west London experience is Reflexion in Hounslow. Again, the town centre is undergoing an ambitious regeneration programme, and this collection of over 300 stylish new homes will play a big part in creating a sleek, modern community.
Two- and three-bedroom apartments are available at Reflexion, which will feature sharp design and style. Kitchens and bathrooms will be finished with panache, and modern appliances lend a up-to-date feel as well as state-of-the-art convenience. Spacious and airy, many of these apartments will have balconies giving spectacular views over the new Blenheim Centre, with its shops, bars, cafés, restaurants and cinema.

Nearby there are rivers, canals, lakes and wildlife preserves – and with the Piccadilly Line just minutes away, central London and Heathrow are within easy reach. The marketing suite is now open. Prices for two-bedroom apartments range from £262,995 to £265,995, while three-bedroom apartments are priced from £414,995 to £429,995. Call 020 8572 3668.

Also in Hounslow is Barratt’s Alexandra Place, located next to the fast-improving town centre. Apartments here exude style. Ground floor apartments have French windows and patio doors, while those on the top floor offer elegant roof terraces. Town houses, meanwhile, have spacious private gardens and patio areas.
The local area boasts fine parks and good schools within easy reach, making this a good place for families. Commuters will also love the location; with the Piccadilly Line just moments away, commuting into central London or catching a flight at Heathrow are easy options.
Two-bedroom apartments are priced from £265,995 to £288,995. The sales office at Alexandra Place is open daily. Call 020 8577 6784.

A further Barratt Homes development is Langham Mews, a collection of apartments and houses on the site of the former Royal Oak pub in Teddington High Street. Following demolition of the pub, building work has now started on a building fronting the High Street; this will have seven one- and two-bedroom apartments on the first and second floors. The secure gated development will also incorporate five two-, three- and four-bedroom houses within the grounds to the rear.
Houses and apartments will have high specifications to the kitchens and bathrooms. In the kitchens there will be stone worktops, stainless steel exposed finishes on appliances, built-in microwaves, integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher and washer dryer. Houses will include double electric ovens, while apartments will have single double ovens.

Elegantly finished bathrooms will have white fittings, granite tops and splashbacks and optional marble floor and wall tiles, which are designed to be a calming influence on a busy life.
All apartments will have open plan kitchen, dining and living areas to maximise use of space. Additionally, the two-double-bedroom apartments have en suite shower rooms to bedroom one, making them ideal for sharers.

Town houses offer a variety of layouts to suit different lifestyles. Two two-bedroom houses have an open-plan kitchen/dining area with double doors opening on to the garden – perfect for those warm summer evenings. With an en suite shower room to bedroom one and a second double bedroom, these houses provide good accommodation for either a young family or a house share.
Minutes from the Thames and Teddington Lock, the location is both peaceful and well located both for good nightlife. There are plenty of cafés, shops, bars and restaurants.
Prices start at £250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £345,000 for a two-bedroom apartment; houses are priced from £460,000 and £480,000 for two- and three-bedroom houses respectively. Four-bedroom houses start at £580,000. Call 020 8977 5533 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.

The Curve is an innovative development of ten apartments and four duplex penthouses in Ealing W5. The development features a striking 180-degree curved frontage, echoing the shape of a wave. The Curve offers far-reaching views across west London and is unlike any other apartment building on the market in London.
Each home is created to offer a superb combination of prime location and contemporary design. The apartments offer open-plan kitchen/reception rooms which have been individually designed to a high specification. Kitchens include Pepper units with black granite work surfaces and AEG appliances. Living areas, kitchens and hallways have solid wide-plank flooring, while luxurious bathrooms feature slate tiling and walk-in mosaic tiled shower units.
The Curve is located on the corner of St Mary’s Road and Warwick Road, just a half-mile from Ealing Broadway tube. Shopping and leisure facilities are also extremely convenient.
Prices start at £395,000. For sales enquiries contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Land & New Homes department on 020 7491 2055.

Finally, The Island at Brentford Lock offers an amazing choice of contemporary apartments, town houses and penthouses. The enticing residential scheme, the work of joint venture partners Crest Nicholson and Charles Church, is a stylish development of 193 homes located where the River Brent meets the Grand Union Canal. As a result it’s water, water everywhere – not to mention a beautiful environment in which to live.

The homes are uncompromisingly modern and have more than their fair share of the ‘wow’ factor. The strikingly modern duplex penthouses, located on the third and fourth floors, for example, have waterside views, extensive wrap-around private rooftop terraces and separate balconies. The Island is surrounded by water and linked to the mainland by tow newly constructed bridges.
Fast and frequent local transport offers easy access to the West End, Canary Wharf and the City. By car, both the M4 and M3 are within a few miles – and west London’s own airport, Heathrow, is less than half an hour away by car.

Prices currently start at £255,000. Call the marketing suite on 0870 758 1010 or visit island-life.co.uk.

posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:13:05 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
New Homes
Cheddington, Bucks

Three Counties Properties is selling a development of just three houses in this desirable location. Each home has a hall, cloakroom, luxury kitchen, lounge/diner, conservatory and garage. The development includes a pair of two-bedroom semi-detached houses, priced at £299,950 each, and a four/five bedroom detached home, priced at £399,950. Get more information by calling selling agents Three Counties Properties on 01296 660447.

A pair of 3 semi-detached homes with hall, cloakroom, luxury kitchen, lounge/diner, conservatory, master bedroom with en suite shower room, garage with remote door, large gardens.
£299,950
 
One 4/5 bedroom detached home with hall, cloakroom, luxury kitchen, lounge/diner, conservatory, master bedroom with en suite, guest bedroom with en suite cloakroom, three further bedrooms, bathroom, garage etc...
£399,950
 
Carshalton

The Square is a select development of two detached four-bedroom family homes by St Andrews Properties. Each has a William Ball designer kitchen/breakfast room with Smeg appliances and three bathrooms. Carshalton station is two-thirds of a mile away, providing a convenient service to Victoria, while the A217 gives access to the M25. Prices from £545,000. Call Andrews on 020 8669 2234.

Mitcham

Nucleus Design and Build has created a unique development of just three new homes within a small gated community. Cedar House is a stunning ultra-modern four-bedroom detached home over three floors, while Cedar Lodge offers a pair of two-double-bedroom semi-detached houses. Electric gates give access to a courtyard area with secure parking and mature trees. Call selling agents Andrews on 020 8648 0893.

Wallington, Surrey

Trinity Court is a stunning new development of apartments by Ruskin Homes. Located within walking distance of Wallington town centre, this contemporary block features just sixteen two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. Trinity Court offers an excellent specification with the benefit of private parking, communal gardens and lift. Prices from £202,500. Contact Andrews Land and New Homes for further details on 020 8773 4455.

Wraymead House, Reigate, Surrey

Ruskin Homes offers eight superb two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments and one two-bedroom luxury coach house within a traditionally built two-and-a-half storey building bordering the Wray Common Conservation Area. Designed by KHA Architects and styled as a large imposing residence with an attractive coach house, the external elevations feature handmade clay plain tiles, reconstituted bath stone sills, flat gauged brick arches and imposing large windows. Call Andrews Land and New Homes on 01737 237870.

posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:11:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
Time for Beds
There’s plenty to like in the current crop of new homes in Bedfordshire. Johnny Turner has a look around.

Bedfordshire is a fine mix of the bucolic and the busy, offering both abundant natural beauty and plenty of big towns and easy connections to London. When buyers weigh up the size of property they can get for the price as compared to in the capital, it’s no wonder so many are flocking slightly north. There are currently a number of fantastic properties of many sizes and varieties in this very welcoming county.
In Dunstable, Laing Homes’ Chiltern Park is a stylish collection of beautifully designed one- and two-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom house set in one of the town’s most desirable residential areas. With excellent transport connections to the A5050 link road between Luton, Dunstable and the M1, these very affordable apartments represent the perfect purchase for first-time buyers and investors. Chiltern Park backs onto Blows Down, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The development is due for completion in 2006.

A second Laing development worth investigating the county of Bedfordshire is Eden Gardens in Leighton Buzzard. This is a stylish development of 24 two-bedroom apartments and 16 four-bedroom detached houses. The location is extremely convenient, being less than two miles from Leighton Buzzard town centre and boasting a wide variety of local shops and everyday facilities such as banks, newsagents and greengrocers.
There are superb transport links into London from Leighton Buzzard railway station. This link, along with the nearby M1, means commuting into the capital is a very viable option. There are also good schools nearby, a definite attraction for families looking into the four-bedroom houses.
Eden Gardens will be launching off-plan from next month. This is an ideal opportunity for prospective buyers to choose the pick of the plots. For details of either Eden Gardens or Chiltern Park visit lainghomes.co.uk or call 020 8207 6000.

A very special location in Bedfordshire, in Stotfold, near the Hertfordshire border, is Fairfield Park. Here a variety of developers are creating a community characterised by wonderful amenities, proximity to natural beauty and a fine range of high-quality homes. Within Fairfield Park, Fairclough Homes is developing a secluded section of the site, set among mature trees. The builder is seeing great success with the three-bedroom Alice house type. In fact, following the quick sell-out of the first phase of Alice homes a new phase of this design has just been released for sale, supported by a brand new interior-designed show home.

Priced from £229,950, the Alice is a sought-after terrace design with attractively planned accommodation. On the ground floor are a separate kitchen and living/dining room opening on to a ready-turfed rear garden. The first floor has bedroom two and three as well as the family bathroom. The top floor, meanwhile, makes good use of the pitched roof space; it is given over entirely to a master bedroom featuring fitted wardrobes and an en suite shower room. This house type has a traditional exterior and a contrasting up-to-the-minute interior style.
The home is fully carpeted throughout and has stylish fitting and finishes. Kitchens, for example, come complete with a stainless steel oven, hob and extractor hood and offer integrated appliances including fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher.

In addition to the Alice three-bedroom home, Fairfield’s contribution to Fairfield Park includes a range of other homes, offering between two and five bedrooms. Thus, there is something for every buyer type, from young couples to growing families. Fairfield Park is located conveniently close to the A1(M). Letchworth and Hitchin are only a few miles away; from the railway stations in these two towns you can reach London King’s Cross in between 30 and 40 minutes.
Fairclough is offering some very attractive incentives on homes at Fairfield Park. To find out more about these, or about the homes themselves, call the marketing suite, open daily, on 0845 676 0171.

Twigden Homes has seen high visitor numbers at the two fully furnished three- and four-bedroom show houses at Roman Place in Biggleswade. This attractive development offers homes to suit a wide variety of tastes and budgets; purchasers can choose from one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom houses, at prices ranging from £135,000 to £265,000. The first eight homes have already been reserved by people who have been impressed by the convenience of the location and the quality of the finish of these homes.

Ann Page, sales and marketing director of Twigden Homes, says, ‘Roman Place is an excellent location. It takes approximately ten minutes to walk to the town centre from here, and Biggleswade station, with its direct train service to King’s Cross, is also within walking distance. The A1, meanwhile, with its excellent road networks, is also within easy reach.’ Nearby school are also highly sought-after, points out Page. ‘Roman Place is near to both Edward Peake and Holme Mead Middle School and Stratton Upper School and Community College.’
All apartments at the development are fitted with an integrated washer/dryer, fridge/freezer and stainless steel electric oven and chimney hood plus gas hob. Each house, meanwhile, has en suite facilities and either a garage or allocated parking. The show homes at Roman Place are open daily from 10am to 5pm and visitors are welcome. Contact Gill Birks or Pauline Pickard on 01767 313080.

Barratt North London and the Guinness Trust are pleased to announce the build completion of 30 affordable homes at Kingswood Park in Leighton Buzzard ­ six months ahead of schedule! The popular development in Billington Road also includes 170 private homes, ranging from two-bedroom apartments to three- and four-bedroom houses, all of which have been sold.
Simon Dow, group chief executive of the Guinness Trust, comments, ‘We have been delighted to work with Barratt to produce the affordable rented homes at Kingswood Park. This is an excellent example of working in partnership. For information on other Barratt North London developments call the sales department on 01923 297300 or visit barratthomes.co.uk.

KingsOak North London has confirmed that it has acquired an exciting new site in Dunstable, where it plans to create a new community of apartments and houses surrounding a centrally landscaped area of open space. The new scheme will be located in Southfield Road, just a few miles from its popular Liberty Villas scheme at Markyate, on the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire border.
‘We are pleased to confirm that we will soon begin work on a new scheme of homes in Dunstable,’ says Philip Standen, land director of KingsOak North London. ‘This exciting new development will feature 148 units, many of which will be ideal for families. This was a former industrial area, so we are pleased to be revitalising a previously disused site and bringing much-needed private and affordable houses to the town.’ The new scheme will feature 148 one- and two-bedroom and three- and four-bedroom houses and town houses, bordered by mature trees. The scheme will cater to a variety of buyers ­ families, single buyers, professional couples and investors included. To find out more or register your interest call 01923 810880. Visit kingsoakhomes.co.uk.

Meanwhile, another KingsOak  development in Dunstable has won the award for best from garden in the New Homes Garden Awards for 2005. At Bramley Court, the area fronting the apartments and town houses at the entrance has been singled out as outstanding, with the leafy green outlook providing the perfect accompaniment to the attractive designs for the range of 103 homes.
Bramley Court is in a convenient location just outside Dunstable town centre, with the M1 within easy reach. One- and two-bedroom apartments are currently available, priced from £145,950 to £169,950. Find out more by calling 01582 608836.

George Wimpey South Midlands offers a range of high-quality new homes at its stunning Michaelmas Green development in the village of Clifton, near Shefford. Homes range from three to five bedrooms, and the scheme is set just a few minutes’ walk from the village centre, where residents will find a post office and general store, a butcher’s and primary and secondary schools. Nearby Shefford offer a wider choice of amenities.
Commuters will appreciate the easy access to the A1(M) as well as the nearby railway station, which offers regular direct services into London King’s Cross.

Three- and four-bedroom houses are currently available, priced from £197,995. For further information on Michaelmas Green call the sales centre, open Thursday to Monday, on 01462 817576. Also from George Wimpey, Pages Priory is conveniently located just over a mile from Leighton Buzzard town centre. The scheme offers a wide choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, and commuters will love the proximity to the A5 and M1, as well as the convenient connections to the capital and the North via the local railway station. Homes currently available at Pages Priory include the three-bedroom Dorset house type, priced from £185,995, and the three-storey, four-bedroom Kent from £249,995. Call the sales centre, located off Johnson Drive and open daily, on 01525 850949. In Sandy, Westbury Homes offers St Ivel Park, located on Woodpecker Way. Here buyers will find a range of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. Only six home remain for sale; current availability is priced from £196,995 to £199,995. Call 01767 699016 for more information.

At Bovis Homes’ Shambrook development in Fordsham Wood, a selection of quality two-bedroom homes has just been released for sale. The homes would be equally well suited to singles, couples or investors.
Properties include the two-bedroom detached Sheraton coach house, which offers stylish, spacious accommodation. The home includes a well-equipped kitchen incorporating an integrated oven and hob as well as a fridge freezer. A washer/dryer is housed within a separate utility area adjoining the garage. There is a sitting/dining room, and both bedrooms feature fitted wardrobes. The master bedroom has an en suite shower room and there is an additional bathroom.

The Sheraton house type is priced from £199,950. For more information on properties at Fordsham Wood contact Zena on 01234 782349 or visit the development, open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm. Visit bovishomes.co.uk.

posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 1:09:33 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Trackback
 Monday, September 12, 2005
Berkshire’s best
Berkshire offers the resident a multitude of benefits, including history, scenery and convenient access to London and the West. Johnny Turner looks at some of the best new homes in this sought-after county.

Those in the market for a home that gives access to both country charm and cosmopolitan bustle will be hard pressed to find a better location than Berkshire. This Home County offers easy commuter access, wonderful countryside and great local amenities – it’s no wonder builders are having trouble keeping up with the high demand for homes in the area.

Foundation Land has launched six sumptuous apartments at Wokingham’s most exclusive development, Gorton Oaks in Murdoch Road, in the heart of the new conservation area. These long-awaited properties offer a sophisticated contemporary specification; apartment two, for example, is a two double bedroom home which includes a welcoming entrance, south-facing drawing/dining room with impressive views of the estate, a spacious home office, and a state-of-the-art kitchen including all integral appliances.

Gorton Oak’s three penthouses will be revealed within the next month and are expected to generate interest amongst property-seekers who are looking for a decadent, chic home in leafy surroundings.
Perfectly situated amid beautifully landscaped grounds the property is located just half a mile from the cosmopolitan market town of Wokingham.  With rail and road links on the doorstep to London, Reading and Gatwick, Gorton Oak offers a very tempting alternative to the hustle and bustle of city living.  
Apartments are available now, and the show apartment is to be launched soon. For further information on the apartments and launch of the penthouses please contact Richard Worth on 0118 979 6796 or Foundation Land on 0118 912 4444.

Bewley Homes has a strong presence in Reading, with one impressive development launching just as another approaches sell-out. The developer’s latest scheme, Cadugan Place in Addington Road, lies adjacent to the Victorian conservation area with its wide tree-lined avenues and green spaces. Nine apartments occupy the turreted building, flanking a sweeping crescent of 15 four-storey town houses which emulates the unmatched elegance of Georgian street scenes as experienced in Bath and Brighton.
Bewley has had numerous enquiries already on this scheme. Apartments at Cadugan Place are priced from £244,950, while the town houses start at £475,000.

Meanwhile, Parkside Gardens, also a development of town houses and apartments, has only a small number of properties remaining for sale, such is its popularity with buyers. The location is extremely convenient; the station and town centre are within walking distance, making for a simple commute into London Paddington or neighbouring towns. The apartments start at £205,000, while the town houses are priced from £399,000.
Further Bewley sites, located in Caversham and Charvil, make the most of their peaceful village setting. At Abbotsleigh in Caversham the 12 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes are set in an idyllic oasis within a short walk of the village centre and local primary school. These homes are priced from £220,000 to £399,000. Coombe Park comprises 18 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses with secluded private gardens. Its location, in the popular village of Charvil, offers the finest in village life. Charvil has its own village store and post office, while nearby Twyford offers a wider range of shops and facilities as well as a mainline station for a quick journey into Reading. Prices at Coombe Park range from £245,000 to £450,000.

Get more information on any of these developments – and forthcoming schemes as well – by calling Bewley Homes on 0118 970 8200. You may also visit the website at bewley.co.uk.
CALA Homes offers a trio of developments in Berkshire that has already got prospective buyers making a beeline. The design and specification, not to mention the location, are extremely attractive.
Starting in Purley-on-Thames, Oak View offers a wide variety of home types, including four-bedroom semi-detached and detached properties, two- and three-storey houses ranging from 1,452 to 2,082 sq ft, and two-bedroom apartments whose square footage ranges from 667 to 1,076. Typically for CALA, the proximity to good local schools has been a big factor in deciding the location of Oak View. Five of the homes are now occupied and all of the apartments have now been reserved.
Remaining houses are priced from £349,950. Prospective purchasers can view the Oak View show home and visit the sales suite at the development, which is located in Long Lane. Contact the sales suite on 0118 945 3171 or selling agents The Romans Group on 0118 943 9400.

First-time buyers will be interested in CALA’s Wellington Mews, situated in the quaint village of Crowthorne, where spacious apartments are priced from just £159,000. The gated development offers 31 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, featuring secure private parking and mature landscaped gardens.
These contemporary apartments have a high specification including state-of-the-art audio entry systems, electric thermostatically controlled panel heating, stylish bathroom suites and designer kitchens. All apartments have a well-proportioned lounge/dining area with separate kitchen; some benefit from an en suite bathroom and second bathroom.
Crowthorne is blessed with a wonderful village feel and has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs. CALA is also building a new library facility in the village and contributing to the creation of a new village square near Wellington Mews.
Prices range from £159,000 to £295,000. For further information visit the sales centre, which is located on Heath Hill Road South, or call 01344 773817.

A further CALA development, Warren Glade, is selling very strongly, with the result that only seven apartments, three town houses and one Chalfont cottage remain for sale. The latter home is in fact the show home and is fully kitted out with contemporary furnishings and fittings to give visitors a better ideal of what their dream home can look like. The cottage has two bedrooms plus an extra room which could be used as a nursery, study or third bedroom. Priced at £239,950, the Chalfont would be equally suitable for first-time buyers, downsizers, empty nesters, young families and young professionals.
Warren Glade’s success, according to Philip Brown, sales and marketing director of CALA Homes (South), is down to a few important factors. ‘It is situated in a desirable area in close proximity to good schools, and we have positioned our three-bedroom houses at an affordable price, therefore offering excellent value for money,’ he says. Brown encourages off-plan buying. ‘It is a fantastic option as you have the ability to choose the types of fittings and colour combinations you would like for your new home.’
Warren Glade is situated in the favoured area of North Woodley, bordering Sonning-on-Thames, and has a good community network nearby – schools, local shops, parks and greens, pubs and restaurants. The first residents have moved in, making for a true community spirit.

Prices start from £199,995 for a two-bedroom apartment and £239,950 for a three-bedroom town house. For more information call the sales office on 0118 969 7610 or Wentworth Estate Agents on 0118 969 2999. The show home is located off Warren Road, North Woodley.
Besides natural beauty and convenient connections, Berkshire is known for its industry – and technology is very well represented in the area known as Silicon Valley. The typically Berkshirean combination of lovely surroundings and high-tech opportunities is encapsulated in Heronsbrook Homes’ Fairways House, a collection of just eight two-bedroom luxury apartments (including two penthouses) in lovely Sunningdale.

The exclusive development offers the best of both worlds – traditional external appeal plus up-to-the-minute specification. Typified by the stylish new show apartment, which opens on 12 March, the apartments have sleek contemporary kitchens equipped with a comprehensive range of built-in stainless steel appliances, giving a crisp and professional edge to the design. Spacious master bedroom suites live up to their name and offer ample built-in wardrobe space plus a superbly appointed shower room. Second bedrooms are served by a similarly well-equipped main bathroom.
Each apartment has been discreetly wired for modern technology, whether for home office use of entertainment, while security is enhanced by an audio entry system.
Located in an unrivalled setting in mature wooded grounds, Fairways House represents an unmissable opportunity for stylish living in a particularly sought-after section of Berkshire, with superb road and rail connections as well as local cultural and sporting amenities.
Prices at Fairways House start at £340,000. Register your interest by calling 01344 874548 or contact selling agents Barton Wyatt on 01344 842587. Visit heronsbrook.co.uk.

KingsOak offers well designed homes throughout the Berkshire area, from town centre schemes in buzzing Reading to comfortable and stylish properties in more sedate environments. One current scheme, Charlcot House in Cippenham, specialises in convenient apartments for busy professionals.
Charlcot House features a sleek selection of impressive two-bedroom apartments close to the heart of central Slough, putting residents in close touch with excellent shopping, nightlife and transport connections. For those moments when you want to leave the hectic life behind, the development is also a short distance from the quiet beauty of Burnam Beeches.
The development offers a choice of attractive apartments, all with two double bedrooms as well as a comprehensively fitted kitchen. There is an en suite shower room to the master bedroom and a classic white main bathroom.
Charlcot House is ideal for commuters. From nearby Burnham station you can get to London Paddington in less than half an hour. For motorists, the M4 is nearby which means a direct route into the capital. Leisure pursuits are also well catered for, with gorgeous Windsor Great Park just over four miles away, and a range of fun options in nearby Slough.
Prices start at £194,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. The development is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Call 01628 664513.

Also from KingsOak, Blake’s Quay is a development set on the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, which gives it waterside views on two sides. The development will be ideal for a wide range of buyers, including young professionals, investors and older downsizers.
The choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and stunning duplexes has come along at the perfect time; the area is undergoing widespread regeneration, including the construction of many new homes, and the already superb leisure and entertainment facilities that are close by are being enhanced by more options all the time.
Prices at Blake’s Quay currently range from £334,995 to £479.995. The sales office is open daily; call 0118 959 1514.

At HighGrove in sought-after Caversham, KingsOak offers spacious town houses just a mile and a half from Reading town centre.
The three-storey homes, with either three or four bedrooms, offer well proportioned interior layouts and have the amount and type of space that’s ideal for family life. The quality specification includes a designer fitted kitchen with integrated stainless steel oven, hob and hood, spacious living/dining room and a garage or private parking. En suite shower rooms, a principle bathroom and downstairs cloakroom feature in every house design. Many house types also benefit from a dressing area to the master bedroom, as well as a utility room and study.
Prices range from £259,995 to £282,995. For more information call 0118 947 7846 or visit kingsoakhomes.com.

Crest Nicholson’s stunning Montague Park scheme will appeal to buyers who want a home that stands out from others in the area. Located in Shinfield, on the outskirts of Reading, Montague Park offers homes that are not only special but also extremely convenient for getting to and from work.
These homes deliver the town house lifestyle with all its advantages. Known for their flexibility and space, homes like the Ruxton at Montague Park give buyers the peace of mind that comes with knowing they inhabit a space that can adapt to changes in their circumstances.
Montague Park features a selection of individually designed two-, three- and four-bedroom homes in a peaceful residential area just off Church Lane. Although the development enjoys an exemplary location close to some of the finest countryside in Royal Berkshire, it is also less than four miles from Reading, a major town that is the subject of massive, widespread regeneration.
Less than a mile and a half from junction 11 of the M4, and only 3.5 miles from Earley station, Shinfield is perfect for commuters who truly want the best of both worlds. Here they can enjoy the dual benefits of commuting quickly and easily to the heart of London while living amidst an intriguing mix of old and new, where town meets country.
The Ruxton town house is priced from £274,950. The sales centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Call the development on 0118 988 5704.

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Waterside Living
A waterside location is a huge bonus when it comes to buying a home. Johnny Turner sees some wonderful new homes with an aquatic location.

The appeal of living by a body of water is timeless. Whether a river, lake or open sea, canal or small stream, being near water is automatically relaxing. Home buyers are very drawn to waterside locations, and South East England is a great place to find watery places. Developers have been very busy building near water, as the current selection of new homes shows.

Springfield Quay is a stylish development of luxurious one- and two-bedroom apartments in a sought-after location overlooking the River Medway in Maidstone. With a location near the town centre and rail station, Springfield Quays is ideally situated for those who want to enjoy both an out-of-London living experience without giving up proximity to the buzzing business world of the capital.
These brand new apartments enjoy a fabulous specification, which includes designer fitted kitchen, spacious living/dining room (some with balcony or terrace). There is also an allocated parking space.
Prices at Springfield Quay range from £159,995 to £232,950. For more information contact the sales office, open seven days a week, on 01622 693252.

From river to sea, we go next to Gladedale Homes’ luxury development of seafront apartments at Shoebury Garrison in Shoebury, Essex. Outlook is an exclusive collection of two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses set on the beach and offering uninterrupted sea views.
The 30 apartments are located in three blocks, each having state-of-the-art specification, floor-to-ceiling windows, underground parking, spacious terraces and sweeping balconies – the ultimate in stylish living.
Besides the excellent advantage of a seaside placement, Outlook, as part of the exclusive Shoebury Garrison development, also has access to a lovely village environment, with beautiful surrounding parkland, chapel, coastal pathways, cricket pitch, old village square and pavilion. Prices start from £380,000. Call Gladedale Homes on 01702 290232 or selling agents Starfish Land & New Homes on 01277 204144.

For sheer view-power it is difficult to beat the River Thames. George Wimpey City presents the spectacular Falcon Wharf, located in an enviable Thames-side location in Battersea. The 124 apartments in the landmark 17-storey glass-fronted building is sure to be one of the most impressive sites on what is already one of the most breathtaking riverside stretches in the capital.
Find out about prices and availability by calling selling agents Hamptons International on 0870 990 7599.
Meanwhile, upriver in Maidenhead, Antler Homes is selling Taplow Quay, a development of eight three-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom house built on the site of a period villa. The scheme has stunning views across the Thames as well as access straight out onto the tow path which runs alongside the river.
Karen Lee Brindle, sales director of Antler Homes Southern, says, ‘At Taplow Quay the objective has always been very much about recapturing the traditional exterior while creating a sleek, modern interior. The atmosphere inside the properties is one of relaxed waterfront living, with views straight out on to the river. It really feels like you’re not in town yet the development is centrally located in the smart suburb of Taplow.’

Three-bedroom apartments are available for sale at prices starting from £435,000. For more information contact Antler Homes’ sales office on 01628 777395 or visit the website antlerhomes.co.uk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 1:38:28 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #