New Homes - October, 2005

Fine homes are being built on everything from former offices to disused schools. Johnny Turner sees how developers are building on the past – and creating wonderful living spaces.

Bow is currently seeing transformations in a number of premises that result in very buyable new homes. With the Olympics making their way here in 2012, this area is set to become the premier regeneration area of London. A good example is EastSide, a collection of 132 apartments, from studios to two-beds, developed by Widacre Homes and Circle 33 Lifespace. The Olympics will bring major regeneration to East London and people are already flocking to the area. Bow's economy will benefit immensely from the influx of people coming to watch the Games and thousands of new jobs, homes and businesses that will be created. Fraser Wells, managing director of Widacre Homes, says, ‘We are confident that Bow will be one of the most vibrant and desirable places to live in east London and Widacre Homes, and Circle Anglia Group will contribute to this development by offering quality housing for at affordable price combined with what will become some of the best infrastructure in London.’
Besides being well located, EastSide is well-designed and affordably priced. And selling agents Strettons Residential has shown it’s willing to go the extra mile to put prospective buyers in the home of their dreams.

One purchaser who found this helpful is Zoe B, 30, who works as an assistant general manager at a south London hospital. Like the typical buyer, Zoe’s busy life kept her from being able to give her old flat the attention it takes to effect a quick, successful sale – in fact, she had so little time to devote to it that her the purchase looked likely to fall through. That’s where the Strettons came in. After learning of Zoe's situation, Darren Aston, sales manager at EastSide, offered her some free advice on how to redress her old flat and to emphasise its best selling points. As a result, she was able to sell her old flat within the week and reserve a two-bedroom apartment at EastSide.

Zoe commented: ‘I am absolutely delighted with the remarkable customer service provided by the sales staff at EastSide. Darren has been extremely helpful and gave me some fantastic “interior design” advice that was spot on. He then chased my solicitors and financial advisors and answered all my questions about EastSide right away. I was able to sell my old flat in record time and to exchange at EastSide much faster that I ever dreamed. I now can't wait to move into my new apartment at EastSide.’
The first phase at EastSide is now sold out, but the second phase has just been launched with apartments in the Soho building. Prices start from £179,950 for one-bedroom apartments and £242,450 for two-bedroom apartments. To find out more call Strettons New Homes on 020 7422 0989 or visit eastside-e3.com.

On the other side of London, 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.

Only one apartment remains at The Edge, Furlong Homes’ brand new scheme located near the Walthamstow Reservoirs. Developed by ASRA Greater London Housing Association in partnership with Walthamstow council, the Housing Corporation and Furlong Homes, The Edge consists of 52 new homes and is situated in Riverhead Close, a quiet cul-de-sac off Blackhorse Lane E17, just minutes from Blackhorse Road tube and railway station. The remaining two-bedroom apartment is priced at £214,950. Call 020 8531 8830 to find out more.
Specialist developer Morgan Restoration has launched Little Heath in Swanley, Kent with the opening of a stunning show apartment, bringing to life the sophisticated design and quality available at the development.

Located just four minutes walk from Swanley station, Little Heath comprises ten two-bedroom and six one-bedroom apartments along with two office suites. Built on the former site of redundant local authority offices, the development is accommodated in a four-storey building with the ground floor providing undercroft parking. Electronic gated access to secure covered car park on the ground floor is provided, and each apartment has an allocated parking space. There is a lift to all floors, accessible from either the car park or the main entrance. The homes feature the best of contemporary open-plan design, combined with quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail, Morgan Restoration's hallmarks.
Little Heath is ideal for commuting, shopping and leisure facilities as well as for national and international travel. For the London commuter, Swanley station offers a regular service to Victoria and Blackfriars with peak journey times of 30 minutes.
Apartments at Little Heath are priced from £140,000 to £220,000. Contact 01322 866800 or visit morganrestoration.co.uk.

At Fairfield Park, an ambitious countryside regeneration project on the Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire border, Stamford Homes aims to make moving house as hassle-free as possible. In fact, the developer will even consider buying your existing house from you.
Under its popular part exchange scheme, Stamford Homes will obtain valuations on your existing property on your behalf from two agents.
Regional sales manager Steve Matthews says, ‘Providing you and your existing property meet certain criteria, Stamford Homes will then make you an offer for your existing property, usually the average price of the valuation.’
Part-exchange takes away one thing that house buying doesn’t need, says Matthews – uncertainty. Prices at Fairfield Park currently start at £255,000. The sales office and show home are open daily from 10.30am to 5pm. Alternatively, contact the sales team on 01426 835192.

Highgate, London

Residential developer Acquire London has just launched North Hill, a collection of just 11 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Set back from prestigious North Hill, these apartments were originally built as ‘model dwellings’ for Highgate residents. Much of the original charm and character has been retained; original features such as fireplaces are integrated into the high-spec interiors. Prices start at £250,000. Call 020 7372 1188.

Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire

Linden Homes opens a new show home at its Fernleigh development on Saturday 5 November. Buyers will be able to benefit from the special launch offers, such as free fitted carpets. The show home features an open-plan living room, ideal for entertaining. It also boasts stunning views of Stokenchurch Cricket Ground and the surrounding village. Apartments start at £189,950, while three-bedroom houses start at £299,950. Call 01494 484801.

Braintree, Essex

Wentworth Chase by Barratt Homes currently offers a choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses; later phases will include five-bedroom homes. First-time buyers can take advantage of special incentives, such as five per cent deposit paid. Prices start at £166,995 for a two-bedroom house and £244,995 for a three-bedroom house, while four-bedroom and five-bedroom homes are priced from £299,995 and £399,995 respectively. Call 01376 343273.

Fairview Homes’ The Ridings will provide 40 homes, including one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses, in a private gated cul-de-sac within walking distance of the famous racecourse. For those completing before December, the developer offers a ‘move in for free’ package on the apartments, as well as incentives on the houses. Prices from £199,995. Call 01372 469844 to find out more.

Caterham, Surrey

The Pulse is the final collection of contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments at The Village. The development combines the best of urban and rural living; while everything you need is on your doorstep, such as supermarkets, there is also a traditional village green and cricket square. Excellent nearby transport options include the M25 and Caterham station. Call the sales and marketing suite on 01883 334434.

Stone, Buckinghamshire

George Wimpey South Midlands is offering luxury living at its best at the leading housebuilder’s Melford Park development in the picturesque village of Stone, Buckinghamshire.

A stunning five-bedroom detached ‘Avon’ design, offering extensive accommodation, is available at this sought-after development priced at £474,995.

The property comes with a range of valuable additional extras including carpets, Amtico flooring in the entrance hallway, kitchen and guest cloakroom and a fitted kitchen complete with built-in stainless steel double oven, hob and hood, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer.

The home features a thoughtfully-designed combined kitchen/breakfast area with an adjoining utility area, a large lounge, a separate dining room and a family room. A guest cloakroom, an entrance hallway and a generous storage cupboard can also be found on the ground floor.

Upstairs, the master bedroom benefits from an adjoining dressing area and en-suite facilities. There are four further bedrooms, two sharing an en-suite shower room, the family bathroom and an airing cupboard.

In common with all new homes at Melford Park, the ‘Avon’ enjoys a high standard specification, including gas central heating and double glazing.

Other properties currently available comprise the two-bedroom ‘Beaumont’ starting from £199,995, a four-bedroom ‘Miranda’ priced at £339,995, and the five-bedroom ‘Belvedere’ and ‘Lavenham’ available from £379,995.

With George Wimpey’s easymover programme, a range of financial packages is available for purchasers of selected properties.

Incentives can be tailored to suit the purchaser’s requirements and include support for first time buyers - while customers with a house to sell can reserve their new home and then sit back and relax while George Wimpey finds a buyer for their current property and pays the estate agents' fees.

Homebuyers can also take advantage of George Wimpey’s House 2 Home bespoke moving package - free UK removal regardless of distance or size of property, full packing and unpacking service and insurance cover - included in the purchase price.

Melford Park comprises a range of just 27 two, four and five-bedroom homes set on the edge of the attractive village of Stone, and enjoying breathtaking views of the nearby Chiltern Hills.

The village offers an array of everyday facilities including two public houses, a sports and social club, a primary school and a large public park with children’s play area. A mini supermarket and Post Office are located just over half a mile from the development.

A wider choice of shopping, leisure and health facilities can be found in Aylesbury, just under three miles away, where older children attend the secondary schools.

Commuters will appreciate that Melford Park is conveniently located for the region’s major transport routes - with the M40 just a few minutes drive away.

Further information is available by visiting the Sales Centre, located on St John’s Drive in Stone just off the A418 Aylesbury to Oxford Road, and open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm. The Sales Executive can be contacted by calling 01296 749904.

Alternatively, information on George Wimpey developments across the region is available by calling 01908 544800

With a 40-year track record of providing well-designed homes, Higgins Homes is a house builder with vision. We look at some current winners.

The well-built, high-quality new home is something London and the South East needs more of. And with the launch of each of its new developments, Higgins Homes is showing it knows how to deliver what the region requires. Providing everything from modern apartments for first-time buyers to bespoke detached houses, Higgins a wide range of buyers, Higgins has hit its stride as a residential house builder. The solid craftsmanship, excellent built quality and careful attention to the effect of the construction process on the local environment and facets of the developer’s work which was well known.

Those seeking a new home will find a lot to like in the current selection from Higgins Homes. Starting in Leyton, Ozone is a collection of 25 high-specification two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments built above shops and offices on the Leyton Mills piazza. This development is designed to provide a living environment that is both serene and convenient for amenities.

Wide windows maximise natural light, while many apartments have private terraces and overlook the open, airy new piazza. High-level security includes an audio entryphone system, a mains-operated smoke detector and wiring for a burglar alarm system. There is also provision for satellite television in addition to terrestrial, as well as radio outlets to the reception, living room and bedrooms.
Leyton tube is under 500m from the development, with Stratford only one stop away; this makes for a very quick journey to the City, Canary Wharf or the West End. And of course with the recent announcement that London will host the 2012 Olympics, the area will be at the forefront of an exciting reimagining, encompassing not only sports facilities but also all types of amenities, housing, transport and landscaping. This is an ideal chance to buy into an area that both already pleasant and also ready to embark on an exciting transformation.
According to Jeremy Marcus, sales director of Higgins Homes, ‘Ozone provides purchasers not only with an excellent choice of contemporary apartments but also a multi-use development for all their recreational and everyday needs.’
Prices for the remaining apartments start at £249,950 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. For further details contact the sales and marketing suite on 020 8558 3600.

In Dagenham, Higgins offers its fourth local scheme, called East Village North. This is sure to be popular with first-time buyers and investors both from London and the nearby area. The previous scheme, East Village South, offered smart apartments at less than half the price one would be paying in central London – and this sealed its success in this well-connected area.
East Village North will be an exciting, stylish and significantly larger development which brings metropolitan London-style living to Dagenham. Comprising 179 one- and two-bedroom metro-style apartments, the East Village scheme is affordable and high-quality. Sleek designer kitchens by Urban Myth lead onto spacious living areas. Bathrooms feature elegant white sanitaryware by Ideal Standard and stylish chrome fittings.

A short walk from Dagenham Heathway and Dagenham East Underground stations on the District Line, this development will place City commuters just 35 minutes from their destination. For drivers, the scheme is minutes from the A13 and the A406 North Circular, offering excellent connections to central London and the M25. London City Airport is only 20 minutes away by car.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments start from an amazing £139,995 less five per cent assisted deposit and other incentives. Two-bedrooms are priced from £164,995. Each of these prices is less five per cent assisted deposit, stamp duty refund and assistance towards legal fees. A show apartment is now open. To find out more call 020 8517 7887.

In sought-after north London, Higgins has recently launched Aspex, which offers 25 two- and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses. This gated development located in Green Lanes N4 and features two apartment buildings, incorporating landscaped communal gardens.
Most of the contemporary apartments have an external patio, terrace or balcony – some also provide stunning views of the West Reservoir. A limited number of parking spaces are also available for purchase.
Prices start at £259,950 for a two-bedroom apartment and £285,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. Call Higgins Homes on 020 8802 8620 to find out more.

In very popular South Woodford E18, Tempus is  a new Higgins Homes development comprising 37 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses. A former Ford garage, the development consists of two buildings, one new build and the other a conversion which incorporates the front section of the former building and its distinctive landmark clock.
Tempus is located in a conservation area and is centred around landscaped communal gardens. All apartments feature balconies or patios and the penthouses incorporate wrap-around roof terraces. The scheme also benefits from secure parking. Prices start at £199,500 for a one bedroom apartment and £295,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Call 020 8498 9700.

Vector in Ilford is an ideal place for a first-time buyer or investment purchaser. These two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments have everything a commuting owner or tenant could want: area-wise, there are very convenient commuter links as well as easy access to good shopping, entertainment options, restaurants and pubs; internally the apartments have stylish interior design and high specification.
Prices at Vector range from £225,000 to £275,000. Call 020 8478 2020 for further information.

Looking to the future, Higgins Homes will continue to provide beautifully designed homes that deliver a combination of the aesthetic and the practical. One upcoming development is Aria, located in Perryman’s Farm Road in Newbury Park. Here Higgins is creating a small but very well-equipped scheme offering just nine two-bedroom apartments and one one-bedroom apartment. The apartments will be housed in an attractive, modern three-storey building which will have a communal garden and amenity area to the rear. Each apartment will feature a balcony or terrace offering further enjoyment of outdoors, while interiors are comprehensively equipped with smart modern kitchens and bathrooms.

Aria is very conveniently located, with shops and other amenities within very easy walking distance and Newbury Park Central Line underground station approximately ten minutes’ walk away. Apartments are expected to be released for sale during the Spring of 2006 with estimated occupation Summer 2006. Register at higginshomes.co.uk for further information on this very desirable forthcoming development. The website also has details of other current and future Higgins Homes schemes.

The Essex property marketplace has a lot to offer today’s buyer. Johnny Turner checks out what’s available.

Wherever you go in Essex you’ll find people who would live nowhere else. Between the rolling countryside, convenient and varied shopping opportunities, fantastic transport into London and more locally, as well as the wide choice of environments and homes, this county has captured the hearts of those in the South of England.

Those who are looking for property in this county will see an amazing array of styles, sizes and locations to choose from. Starting in Bishops Stortford, Furlong Homes has just unveiled a stunning show apartment at its Central Walk development. Central Walk is bringing 208 new apartments to the traditional market town, occupying a prime location off Anchor Street, overlooking the River Stort.
Interest at the development has been such that over half of the apartments at Heron Court have already been sold. Following on from this initial success, the first homes have now been released in Mallard Court, a distinctive building featuring 35 one- and two-bedroom apartments, many with balconies over the rolling river.

These bright and airy apartments offer a stylish and spacious living arrangement with an open-plan lounge and kitchen and en-suite facilities as standard. Each home has been carefully crafted to a high level of specification which includes built-in wardrobes in the master bedrooms and integrated appliances in the kitchens. prices start at £169,950. The marketing suite at Central Walk is open daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Contact 01279 758702 or visit higginshomes.co.uk.

Telford Homes is selling Aquarius Riverside, a wonderfully located collection of apartments just moments from the amenities of Chelmsford town centre, with its wide selection of shopping and entertainment options and exceptional travel links. Aquarius is only 20 miles from the M25, 30 minutes from Stansted Airport and just 30 minutes scheduled train journey from London Liverpool Street. Services to London run regularly with up to seven trains per hour.
Prices for the remaining two-bedroom rooftop apartments, one of which is a fully furnished show home, start at £275,000 including parking. For further information and an appointment to view contact Telford Homes on 0870 872 0987 or visit telfordhomes.plc.uk.

East Village in Dagenham consists of 179 one- and two-bedroom apartments on Reede Road. The location is extremely convenient, with both Dagenham Heathway and Dagenham East District Line stations nearby, making for a simple commute. Another distinct advantage is price: one-bedroom apartments currently start at an amazing £132,500!
There is a choice of intelligently designed living spaces using a ?exible, open-plan approach. These homes are funky and adaptable and exude a youthful air. Indeed, as a buy-to-let proposition it is hard to imagine a more perfect buy – stylish, well-located properties in a great area, involving minimum capital outlay and low maintenance.
Kitchens are designed by Urban Myth and feature integrated stainless steel appliances. Bathrooms feature simple white Ideal Standard sanitaryware and chrome fittings. There is an audio entryphone system as well as provision for satellite TV. For further information call 020 8517 7887 or visit higginshomes.co.uk.

Essex has something to offer every lifestyle and age ground – and those for whom retirement is approaching will be interested in looking at the new age-exclusive development Little Orchards in Chelmsford. The homes, which are now completed, have been constructed to the highest standard and provide space for all those belongings needed for this new lifestyle. Situated on Broomfield Road in the grounds of an elegant old town house, Little Orchards consists of 12 individual homes built especially for the over 55s, with the emphasis on security and convenience.
The development, by Brookglade Court Homes, has an on-site manager who is on duty during weekday mornings to ensure that everything is just so; apart from looking after normal external decorations and repairs, insurance and maintenance matters, she will be on hand to help in many other ways – from booking flights and taxis to ordering and taking in supermarket deliveries to keeping an eye out when a resident is away.

The town centre is only a mile and a half away and there is a frequent and convenient bus service. Most of the houses are on two floors with large living rooms and dining rooms, with fitted kitchens having built in appliances including a ceramic hob, oven, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. Each property has the benefit of an allocated pergola covered car parking space and in the communal gardens there is a pavilion and a cycle store. Each home is spacious enough for all the belongings you need in this exciting but relaxed new lifestyle.
To make moving to a new home at Little Orchards even easier, Brookglade Court Homes, in conjunction with marketing agents Savills, have put together an Assisted Move Package. Not only will Savills co-ordinate the appraisal of your existing property, but will appoint an agent, provide advice on offers, liaise with the solicitors and manage the whole process on your behalf – and Brookglade Court Homes Ltd will meet the costs at the end of the day.
Over half of the homes at Little Orchards have already been reserved. For further information on the development or the Assisted Move Package contact Savills on 01245 269311.

CALA Homes has received yet another award for its prestigious development, CALA DOMUS, part of the Newhall Project in Harlow. CALA DOMUS was one of only eight new housing developments across England to be awarded the Building for Life Standard last month. Backed by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), the government and the housing industry, this award is the national standard for design quality in new housing.

The development has attracted acclaim from a number of sources, including this very magazine, which awarded DOMUS the Family Home award in 2003.
CALA DOMUS consists 74 homes in an imaginative mix of apartments, maisonettes, live/work houses, linked and detached houses and duplex and triplex apartments situated in the magnificent Copper Sun Mill. Each property has been designed to offer something architecturally different and quite unique. The extensive use of glass opens up the already spacious interiors, allowing warm summer sun or crisp winter light to stream in if desired, connecting the interior and exterior environment and resulting in a highly energy-efficient home that makes the most from passive solar gain. Prices at CALA DOMUS start at £220,000. For further information call 01279 416660 or visit the show home, open daily from 11am to 5pm.

Bellway is currently offering a pair of high-quality residential developments in the Thames Gateway area. Town Wharf scheme in Grays is perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors. With a riverside walkway and cycle path running from the scheme, residents will have immediate access to the Thames for outdoor pursuits – or just to sit and enjoy the great views.
Located at Argent Street, Town Wharf is a development of 261 apartments set across five apartment buildings. One-bedroom studio apartments are priced from £129,995 and two-bedroom apartments start at £163,000. And first-time buyers will be interested to know that Bellway is offering an attractive paid-deposit incentive.

Water-facing apartments will provide stunning views along the Thames. The majority of apartments will have balconies (and selected ground floor apartments their own gardens), providing residents with plenty of outdoor space. Communal landscaped gardens will be included for everyone to enjoy.
Town Wharf is a few minutes walk from the shopping area of Grays and the mainline railway station, from where regular trains run to London’s Fenchurch Street with a journey time of only 40 minutes. There are road links to the M25, A13 and the Dartford Crossing. Two furnished show apartments are open and first residents moved in during the spring of 2005. Call 01375 372715 to find out more.

Meanwhile, houses and apartments are also available at Bellway’s Church Hollow scheme of 365 new homes on London Road in Purfleet. Two fully furnished show houses are open daily to enable purchasers to experience the appeal of homes at the new development – which, incidentally, is located only a five-minute walk from the banks of the River Thames.
Church Hollow has been designed to appeal to purchasers across the house-buying spectrum, from first-time buyers to those who are downsizing after their children have left home. A landscaped green with play area will be included in the centre of the scheme.
Houses are priced from £199,000 for three bedrooms and £270,000 for four bedrooms. Two-bedroom apartments start at £135,000. Call the sales office, open daily, on 01708 680450.

Laing Homes is offering the last four-bedroom town house at Quarles Park in Chadwell Heath. The development holds the perfect opportunity for first-time buyers who want to get on to the property ladder. With stunning deals and buyer incentives, Laing is making it easier than ever for young buyers’ property dreams to come true.
Quarles Park, with its ideal located near Romford town centre, is well situated for Chadwell Heath’s local amenities. Romford’s Liberty Shopping Centre offers many of the well known high street stores, together with a selection of more individual boutiques. For the more committed shoppers, Bluewater and Lakeside, two of Europe’s most impressive shopping centres, are within easy reach. For day-to-day shopping there is a choice of supermarkets on Chadwell Heath High Road, including large Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores.

Commuters will appreciate the excellent road and rail links from Quarles Park, from the M25 to the M1. Chadwell Heath station is only half a mile away, offering a 20-minute commute to Liverpool Street. Newbury Park tube is just over two miles away, giving access to the Central Line.
For further information contact the Quarles Park marketing suite on 020 8586 4091 or visit the show home, open daily from 10am to 5.30pm (to 2pm Mondays). Visit laing-homes.co.uk.

Crest Nicholson announces BASE, situated adjacent to the train station just off St James Road in Brentwood. This is the ideal choice for anyone wanting a new home that's close to all the action. It promises to create a new urban quarter in the heart of Brentwood with its unique blend of understated contemporary architecture and sophisticated sleek interiors, ideal for those looking for something out of the ordinary.

The new development will have a total of 350 new homes, a large proportion of which will be apartments, with a small selection of town houses arranged in a crescent. All of the new apartment buildings have secure parking and are linked by a tree-lined avenue that runs through the centre of the site. A significant parkland area is being established as part of the proposals, providing the ideal outside green space in which to relax and unwind.
BASE is ideally placed for the many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants of Brentwood. As the station is opposite the development, commuting couldn't be easier. At peak times, trains can reach London Liverpool Street in as little as 30 minutes. The development also provides easy access to the M25, M11 and A12.
Guide prices at BASE start at £175,000. To register your interest now, call the dedicated hotline on 0870 757 8384.

Barratt has launched the first release of apartments at Horizons, a stunning new waterside development in Colchester. Evolution, the first phase of the Horizons development comprises 21 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes on the eastern edge of the scheme.
Individually designed, the apartments at Evolution offer an exciting range of interior layouts, allowing buyers to choose the features that best suit their lifestyle. Most apartments offer spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas. Kitchens are ultra-modern and include a comprehensive range of fitted units, worktops and appliances.

One of the two-bedroom apartments offers stunning circular living space accommodated in a stylish rotunda overlooking the River Colne. With double-aspect full length opening windows, this apartment is styled for maximum light and air. On the top floor, above the circular living space is a spectacular roof terrace, the perfect place to relax. For a smaller slice of outdoors, choose one of the apartments with a balcony accessed from the living area.
With en suite bath or shower room to most main bedrooms, apartments are suitable for family or for sharing. If you like your sleeping quarters to be away from the hustle of daily living, then choose one of the duplex apartments with one or more bedrooms and bathrooms on another level. If working from home is your choice, then apartments with a second or third single bedroom offer the ideal space – and you have the option to keep your work/living and sleeping space on separate levels.

The homes have fabulous views over the River Colne, and Horizons is within easy walking distance of Colchester town centre with its wide range of high street stores, specialist retailers, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and a thriving arts scene, including museums, galleries, theatres and cinema. Colchester’s many parks provide wonderful green spaces, with the countryside on your doorstep.
Easy connections include the A12, with its convenient access to London and the M25, and trains from nearby Colchester North station, which get into London Liverpool Street in about 50 minutes. Prices start at £189,995 for a two bedroom apartment. Contact the Barratt sales office on 01206 541192

At Barratt Homes’ Elm Gardens in Chelmsford, only a few four-bedroom houses remain. Chelmsford offers excellent shopping, which is located in a traffic-free centre an easy walk from Elm Gardens. It’s also a straightforward commute to her work in the City; trains run direct to Liverpool Street with a journey time of about 35 minutes.
Prices are for a four bedroom houses are from £384,995 to £389,995. For details of this and other Barratt’s developments visit barratthomes.co.uk The Elm Gardens sales office can be reached on 01245 349632.

Bovis Homes has a sound presence in the county of Essex, and its Valley Park development, located in Dovercourt near Harwich, is truly special. It offers executive homes incorporating 11 different house types featuring good sized gardens close to landscaped public open space.
The houses contain fully fitted kitchens, with range cookers to larger homes, ceramic flooring, fitted wardrobes to the bedrooms and extensive use of downlighters. Some properties have a bonus room in the roof, and all purchasers who buy early can chose their own kitchens units and bathroom tiling from the extensive Bovis Homes range.

It is just 30 minutes by rail to Colchester and Ipswich, and an hour and a half to London via Manningtree. The A120 and A12 are close by, and Harwich has good shopping and leisure facilities and numerous historic maritime buildings.
Prices at Valley Park range between £229,950 for a four-bedroom home to £279,950 for a five-bedroom property. Contact sales manager Graham Hale on 01255 243862.

Isleworth, Middlesex

Rushmon Homes’ Abbey mews has three-bedroom town houses in a new development of six homes in a gated setting on London Road. The River Thames is approximately a quarter of a mile away and the development borders the 200 acres of parkland at Syon Park. Impressive specification includes designer kitchens with stainless steel integrated appliances, American style fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher, as well as built-in wardrobes to bedrooms one and two. Isleworth is the perfect out-of-town location with convenient London connections. For a limited time Rushmon will pay the purchaser’s stamp duty, so it pays to act quickly. Prices start at £439,950. Call the sales office, open Thursday to Monday, on 020 8847 2847. Alternatively contact agents Young & Manser on 020 8568 2992.

Haslemere, Surrey

Crest Nicholson has recently launched 15 stylish three- and four-bedroom family homes in Camelsdale Road. This design-led development is set within rolling countryside and boasts large light-filled interiors and good transport links, ideal for families and commuters who want access to both natural beauty and the capital’s commerce. Prices from £299,950 for a three-bedroom apartment. Call 01428 645117 between Thursday and Monday for further sales information.

Felbridge, West Sussex

Antler Homes offers a new development in a quiet cul-de-sac, incorporating just seven elegant three-, four- and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes situated in spacious lawned gardens. Ground floor accommodation incorporates open-plan fitted kitchens with adjoining family and breakfast rooms, separate spacious sitting rooms and dining rooms for relaxed entertaining. Crawley and East Grinstead are within easy reach. Prices from £300,000 to £550,000. Call 01959 547100.

Woking, Surrey

Berkeley Homes has unveiled Landmark, a distinctive development commanding a prominent position at Guildford Road and Constitution Hill. Woking is a prime commuter town and the inspirational contemporary architecture of the Landmark building adds to its renaissance. Trains from Woking station to London take only 25 minutes. Two-bedroom apartments range from £250,000 to £400,000; the penthouse is priced at £500,000. Call 01483 776853.

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Bellwinch Homes has a ‘move in for £99’ offer at The Grange, an attractive courtyard development of just 18 homes. On selected apartments Bellwinch currently offers to pay the five per cent deposit – and on top of that, stamp duty, legal fees up to £500 and survey fees up to £250. Three-bedroom houses are priced from £334,995. Prices start at an already low £189,995. Call 01892 863928.

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Fairclough Homes offers a fantastic opportunity for first-time buyers at Oakhill View, with two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments from just £164,950. They come complete with fitted carepts throughout, and there is a wonderful incentives package for buyers. There are also a few houses still available, priced from £214,950. Visit the show homes at Oakhill View, open daily from 10am to 6pm. Call 0845 676 0166.

Wandsworth, London

At the acclaimed Battersea Reach development by St George, over a third of the apartments in the latest phase have already sold 12 months ahead of completion. The contemporary riverside development has revitalised an important stretch of the Thames and transport is convenient. The Elite apartments are upper-floor homes with river views, available from £629,950. Call 020 7978 4141 or visit batterseareach.com to find out more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What can you get for under £300,000 these days? Johnny Turner looks around and finds a surprising level of quality for the money.

Guessing the future direction of house prices is one of the South East’s favourite pastimes; indeed property speculation, in both senses, has attained the status of Olympic event. Although price rises have now slowed to a crawl, this comes after years of full-on inflation which rendered property unaffordable to many. However, in today’s new homes market there is still a wide selection of property with price tags that please.

Laing Homes has several very buyable developments currently available, offering a wide range of sizes and a choice of sought-after locations. In Welwyn Garden City, Creswick Place is a development of 109 one- and two-bedroom apartments, set over three and four storeys and located within landscaped gardens. The location in Howlands, one-and-a-half miles south of Welwyn town centre, is convenient and peaceful. Some properties at Creswick Place have two bathrooms, while all have their own allocated parking as well as spaces for visitors.
All of the one-bedroom apartments are now sold but the two-bedroom apartments are priced from £159,950. Laing is also offering a choice of five per cent deposit paid, stamp duty paid, legal fees paid (up to £500) and fully fitted carpets. These offers are subject to conditions; call to find out more. Visit the two-bedroom show home or call 01707 351330 to find out more.

The Triangle in Cambridge is another Laing development where affordability rules. This long-awaited landmark development of stylish one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses is situated on Station Road, just minutes’ walk from Cambridge mainline railway station, with its direct link to London King’s Cross in under 50 minutes.
The Triangle information centre has now moved to The Gallery, another excellent Cambridge development in Rustat Road. The marketing suite and show home are open daily from 10am to 5.30pm (except 10am to 2pm Mondays). Prices at the development are available upon request. For further information call 01223 245953 or selling agents Savills on 01223 347147.

Speaking of the Gallery, Laing has now launched the second phase at this stylish collection of apartments and penthouses. The Gallery II consists of a range of contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses located within two miles of the bustling city centre and one mile of the main station.
There are many outstanding deals on offer with these designer apartments, including Laing’s new Easymover scheme – ideal for first-time buyers, who can benefit from the choice of incentives mentioned above with Creswick Place. Alternatively, a unique Homestyle voucher is also available, enabling purchasers to upgrade the specification of their home to their particular taste.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments start at £182,500, while two-bedroom apartments start at £214,950. Call 01223 247669 for more information.

Lovely Enfield is known as an area of choice, with its leafy views and exclusive feel. So it is quite a surprise that home buyers will find apartments for as little as £156,950 in this location. Jerome Walk is Laing’s collection of stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses. First-time buyers will of course be very interested in the apartments, while those looking to trade up to a larger home – and do so without breaking the bank – will want to see the houses.
The location is fabulous and convenient, with Brimsdown station and the bus terminus just two minutes’ walk away. And purchasers have the opportunity to upgrade the specification via the Homestyle service.
Prices for one-bedroom apartments at Jerome Walk currently start at £156,950; two-bedroom apartments are priced from £177,500. The new two-bedroom show home is now open. Call 020 8804 1036 to find out more.
Meanwhile, another north London location with a lot to offer is the setting for Laing’s Shires Lodge, a development of 14 two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments in secluded landscaped grounds. The setting is sought-after Hendon, adjacent to the synagogue on Brent Street. The green expanse of Hendon Park is very nearby, as is Hendon Central tube – so both natural beauty and quick commuting are on the cards. For drivers, the North Circular is just moments away, delivering great motorway connections.

The beautifully designed three-storey block has such features as gables, ornate brickwork and bay window. Convenient pluses include basement parking and gym facilities for the exclusive use of residents and their guests.
Interiors include superb décor, contemporary lighting and elegant feature such as French windows, terraces and large balconies on selected homes. High spec includes designer integrated fitted kitchens, granite worktops, luxury bathrooms with Hansgroe taps. To many of the apartments there are utility rooms and stylish en suites and showers to master bedrooms.
These beautifully designed two- and three-bedroom apartments are priced between £299,950 and £750,000. Call 020 8202 9458.

In up-and-coming Peckham Rye, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward offers Mary Magdalene in Goldman Road. Dating back to 1900, this former school has been converted into five three-bedroom houses and eight apartments. Situated in Peckham Rye, within close proximity to Rye Lane and Nunhead's local amenities and overland railway stations, it is ideal for commuters.
All units within the development are finished to a high standard, with solid oak wood flooring and fitted carpets, modern bathroom suites and fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances.
This development is in a regeneration area and as such has seen much interest from investors who are attracted by the capital growth potential. And one surprising aspect of this collection of homes is the price – one two-bedroom apartment is available for sale priced at £219,950, and one three-bedroom house is on the market at £299,950. For sales enquiries contact Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s Land and New Homes department on 020 7491 2055.

KingsOak Southern Counties has recently launched The Quadrant in popular Addlestone, near Weybridge, where the superb new show apartment was officially unveiled.
Created by leading interior design consultancy Trend Design, the show apartment at The Quadrant has been finished in dramatic shades of deep red along with taupe colour. Rich and luxurious, the show apartment also features striking furniture in brushed metal and glass.
The Quadrant features a selection of just 24 very modern high-quality apartments, 22 two-bedrooms and two one-bedrooms.
Prices start at £194,995. For further information on homes at The Quadrant and to view the newly launched show apartment, telephone 01932 842046.

George Wimpey South Midlands is offering home hunters the opportunity to live mortgage-free for a year at its inspirational Zodiac development at Fairford Leys in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The purchaser of Apartment 6, a stylish second-floor two-bedroom home, will have their mortgage repayments paid for by the leading house builder for a full 12 months, to a maximum of £13,000.
Alternatively, if the purchaser prefers, George Wimpey will pay their five per cent deposit and stamp duty. Whichever option they choose, their new home will come complete with carpets and flooring throughout.

The apartment is on the market for £189,995 and features a large combined lounge/dining area and a thoughtfully-designed kitchen. There are also two spacious bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room, as well as a family bathroom, separate entrance hallway and airing cupboard.
Like all designs at the development, Apartment 6 enjoys a high standard specification, including gas central heating, double glazing, audio entry system and a fitted kitchen with built-in stainless steel oven, hob and hood and washer/dryer.
Zodiac features a total of 28 one and two-bedroom apartments set in six stylish buildings, all offering extremely well-designed and spacious layouts to meet the needs of modern-day living.
Also currently available are a range of two-bedroom apartments from £151,995.

Fairford Leys is a brand new community offering an excellent range of everyday amenities including a supermarket, hairdresser, nursery, pharmacy, community centre, health centre and veterinary surgery. For leisure time there is also a private leisure club with swimming pool, while just a short distance from the development is a golf course. The surrounding beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside offers plenty of opportunity for walking and cycling.
Find out more by contacting the Zodiac sales executive, available seven days a week from 11am to 5pm, on 01296 399754. And get information on other well priced George Wimpey developments across the region by calling 01908 544800 or visiting georgewimpey.co.uk.

Bow is a London location that has truly come into its own in the last few years, with a truly amazing variety of quality new homes at affordable prices. The proximity to the City, good tube and DLR connections and a wealth of high-quality leisure options have combined to make the E3 area very popular.
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.

Also in Bow, a new development by Lovell, called Heart of Bow, offers a range of flat types, including one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as houses. Located on the corner of Tradegar Road and Parnell Road, its closeness to the City and Docklands will be a major draw to buyers.
Another irresistible aspect of Heart of Bow is price. One-bedroom apartments start at £204,950, while two-bedrooms are priced from £268,950. The scheme will provide over 200 homes for private purchase, and demand is already brisk: the first phase sold out within days of the opening of the show flat and sales office. The site sales office is open daily from 10am to 5pm. For further information call Copping Joyce New Homes on 020 7288 0330.

Sutton is a well-connected suburban location that is growing in popularity year-on-year. Its proximity to the Surrey countryside, great connections to London and wide range of shopping and leisure activities have meant it has been sought-after by a wide range of buyers, from first-timers who don’t have a million pounds to spend to growing families in search of space.
One particularly good current development is Antler Homes’ Christchurch House, a collection of nine one- and two-bedroom apartments just a short walk from Sutton station.
Designed and built to a very high specification, all properties feature luxurious custom-built fitted kitchens with a range of integral appliances such as stainless steel hob, oven and extractor canopy. In addition, a fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dyer are integrated seamlessly within the overall kitchen layout. Bathrooms, meanwhile, have classically designed pure white sanitaryware, offset by handsome chrome fittings. There are also ladder-style heated towel rails, thermostatic showers, and ceramic floor and wall tiles.
Antler Homes’ The Designer Collection makes it easy to personalise your home and add those finishing touches. They have a wide selection of products and services available to ensure that your new home is quickly made your own; everything within the range has been carefully chosen to complement and enhance the high-quality fixtures that are standard in all Antler homes. Ask a sales representative about The Designer Collection.

Two-bedroom apartments are currently available, priced from £250,000. The show home at Christchurch House is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Contact joint selling agents Connells on 01403 282520 or Frost on 020 8642 6686 to find out more.
Rushmon Homes has opened a three-bedroom view home at Kingswood Close at Wrens Avenue in Ashford, Middlesex. Such is the popularity of the scheme, which is located close to the town centre, that only three of the 13 houses remain available.
Remaining homes include two three-bedroom end terrace houses, priced at £252,500 and £255,000. There is also a three-bedroom detached home priced at £319,950.

Commuting into work in central London is straightfoward, with a 40-minute journey from Ashford station to London Waterloo. There is easy access to the M25 and Heathrow is also nearby. The first residents moved into their homes last month.
Alan Taylor, sales and marketing director of Rushmon Homes, says, ‘The excellent commuter links to London and ease of access to the motorway, together with a good shopping area and the fact that Ashford is close to open countryside and the River Thames, have all worked to add to the appeal of Kingswood Close. Now the view house is open we’re sure the three remaining properties will be snapped up.’
The view house and sales centre are open Thursdays to Mondays from 10am to 6pm, when a sales advisor can be contacted by phone on 01784 244551. At other times contact selling agents Townends on 01932 784171 or the Rushmon New Homes hotline on 01932 586777. Visit rushmonhomes.co.uk.
KingsOak is offering excellent prices at two developments in popular Reading. Kings Reach is located adjacent to the green open space of Kings Meadow and yet is very well placed to take advantage of the countless amenities, shops and entertainment facilities of Reading town centre.
Featuring 162 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments set within an architecturally exciting new landmark, the striking scheme makes an individual impact on the townscape and also affords fantastic views, maximised in true KingsOak style by floor-to-ceiling glazing and a light, airy internal ambience.
Prices for homes at Kings Reach currently start at £192,934 for a two-bedroom apartment, while three-bedroom apartments start at £341,995 and two-bedroom penthouses are priced from £474,995. For further information contact 0118 939 3611.

Another Reading development, Shinfield Park, will feature an exclusive choice of 310 homes on an exciting new development created in conjunction with Barratt Maidenhead and George Wimpey plc. The M4 is only a mile away, giving great access to a wide range of destinations. Prices currently start at just £164,995 for a one-bedroom apartment, £209,995 for a two-bedroom apartment and £314,995 for a four-bedroom town house offering flexible accommodation. Call 0118 975 1267. For more information on any of KingsOak’s high-design, low-price developments visit kingsoakhomes.co.uk.

Telford Homes is a developer that is rapidly becoming known for offering good design in a well-connected location at an affordable price. And a glance at the price list at The Sienna Building, its new venture in Barking, confirms that Telford’s gameplan hasn’t changed.
The high-spec apartments will be perfect for first-time buyers or investors who want a property that requires not only minimal capital outlay but also minimal maintenance in the future. The development consists of just 14 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments. There is gas central heating, two-year 24/7 emergency cover, gated parking (parking is an optional purchase on two-bedroom apartments) and an interior specification including kitchens by Urban Myth and modern white bathrooms.

The development is located where Goldings Hill, Church Lane and Rectory Lane meet. Barking Park and Loxford Park are all within easy walking distance, while the nearby tube and train stations means good commutability.
Prices start at an amazing £150,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, while two-bedroom apartments are priced from £177,500. Completion is expected in autumn 2006, by which time these homes are unlikely to be on the market. Register your interest at telfordhomes.plc.uk or by calling 020 8498 6789.

The very desirable counties of East and West Sussex offer a wealth of high-quality newly built property for the discerning buyer. Johnny Turner looks south.

East and West Sussex are rightly lauded for their very inviting mix of natural beauty, commuter connections and charming homes. Buyers who are in the market for a home in the South East would do well to have a look at what’s available near the south coast.

In desirable Chichester, Seaward Homes presents The Wharf, an exclusive collection of highly individual two- and three-bedroom newly built waterside homes and apartments and a choice of warehouse style properties. Together they create an intriguing juxtaposition of highly contemporary designs within a traditional Georgian city. Also in the scheme is a Grade II Listed flint-faced Customs House which is also undergoing extensive renovation and refurbishment by Seaward.
Poised on the edge of the canal basin within yards of the pretty towpath walk, The Wharf is also just a few minutes walk from the centre of town and the Chichester Gate Leisure Complex which features a Cannons Health Club, restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and a hotel. From this position, you can soak up the ever-changing scenery of the waterfront or access the excellent shopping, restaurants, nightlife and transport connections of Chichester within minutes.
Homes at The Wharf are currently priced from £375,000 for a two-bedroom house with additional study/third bedroom. For further information please contact The Wharf on 01243 790 581. The marketing suite and show home are open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Another winning Chichester development is Kestrels Keep, a superb selection of homes in five different styles. The scheme, from George Wimpey Southern, is wonderfully situated for the beautiful, thriving town centre yet still enjoys the quiet countryside surroundings of Donnington, only two miles from the town centre.
Kestrels Keep consists of 34 three-bedroom detached homes which include fully integrated kitchens, en suite to the master bedroom and a garage with parking space. The homes are finished to the absolute highest standard.
Chichester is one of the premier towns on the south coast, a traditional cathedral town boasting a fantastic selection of shops, eateries, bars and entertainment venues. There are good transport links to London and the rest of the south coast.
Prices currently start at £288,000. For more information contact 01243 771572.

Redrow Homes has several high-quality developments in East and West Sussex, offering both apartments and houses. In popular Eastbourne, The Boardwalk now has three superb show apartments, where visitors will find luxury styling in this unbeatable waterside location.
The waterfront development lies at the heart of Sovereign Harbour, a relaxing marina development. The Boardwalk’s individually designed show apartments are all located in the Rapala building, one of six striking structures that make up the development. Rapala has 36 apartments in a stylish mix of one- and two-bedroom designs, including three very special three-bedroom penthouses and one duplex design.

Specification includes designer kitchens, fitted bathrooms and the two- and three-bedroom apartments feature an en suite to the master bedroom. And because of the combination of perfect location and design within Sovereign Harbour, a majority of the homes also enjoy a waterfront view, a feature which has encouraged owner-occupiers, holiday home buyers and investors alike to buy here.
The show apartments are open daily from 10am to 5.30pm. Call 01323 472194.

Also from Redrow is Porterhouse, a new development in wonderfully connected Crawley. The exciting scheme of residential apartments is proving very popular with investment buyers as well as owner-occupiers, both of whom are swayed by the location, just a ten-minute train ride from Gatwick Airport.
Porterhouse will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom properties in four separate buildings that range from two to six stories. An electronic gated entrance will lead to secure surface and underground parking. Set in Station Hill Road, the development is adjacent to Three Bridges station, which means that besides Gatwick, Brighton and London are extremely easily accessible.
Buyers will be very impressed by the specification on offer. Designed for the modern lifestyle, the apartments will include open-plan living areas and contemporary kitchens featuring downlighters, integrated dishwasher, fridge/freezer and washing machine, plus stainless steel oven, hob, splashback and sink.
Current prices range from £169,000 to £284,000; the first properties will be ready for occupation in June 2006. Call Chris or Clare at Halifax Estate Agents on 01293 523456.

In Hailsham, Redrow Homes is opening a three-bedroom Turner style show home at Millview. This popular house design includes a fitted kitchen/dining room with patio doors on to the garden, as well as a separate lounge and ground-floor cloakroom. The master bedroom includes fitted wardrobes.
All of the homes have Redrow’s Sapphire specification, which includes fitted kitchen with stainless steel oven, hob and chimney-style extractor, plus elegant white bathroom suites with a choice of tilting and complementary chrome-finish fittings, gas central heating and PVCu double glazed windows.
Mill View is situated in Upper Horsebridge Road on the edge of open countryside and about a mile-and-a-half from the centre of Hailsham, which offers all essential shops and services. This East Sussex market town also enjoys good road access via the A22

Besides the Turner design, Millview offers two- and three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes as well as three-, four- and five-bedroom detached houses. A selection of two-bedroom homes is due to be released shortly. Prices currently range from £183,950 to £209,950 for a selection of three-bedroom designs. Call 01323 441508 to find out more. And for more information on any of Redrow’s developments across the South East visit redrow.co.uk.

In the sought-after North Laines section of Brighton, George Wimpey is selling properties at The Vibe, a development of high-spec apartments. Such is the demand for this type of well-located and beautifully designed property that only two of its elite third-floor three-bedroom penthouses remain. There are also a limited number of one- and two-bedroom apartments available.
The Vibe is extremely well located for Brighton’s best shopping and is within seven minutes’ walk of the station and ten minutes’ walk of the sea. The properties themselves have the advantage of high-quality ‘extras’ fitted as standard. These include built-in wardrobes to all master bedrooms and fully integrated kitchens with dishwasher, washer/dryer, fridge, freezer, double under-counter oven and four-burner gas hob and extractor hood. Each of the sumptuous penthouses has a private roof terrace.
The Vibe is open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm. For more information call George Wimpey on 0845 676 0155.

Silver Homes offers a magnificent home in the village of Wadhurst, East Sussex, that is nearing completion. Wigram is designed in the Queen Anne style and is approached by a sweeping drive. The property enjoys southerly views over the High Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Accommodation includes living room, dining room, garden room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, study, cloakroom, en suite to both master bedroom and a second bedroom, family bathroom. There are also independent triple garages, plus a landscaped front garden and extensive rear garden.
The approach is contemporary, with a wealth of stylish work-saving innovations. In the kitchen here are real wood designer units complemented by soft-close drawers, gas lift doors on the wall cabinets, under-unit lighting and luxury polished granite worktops. Siemens integrated appliances include n American-style fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser, built-in coffee maker and ‘active-clean’ oven.

A second home, of a totally different design but with the same level of space and spec, is also being built in this location. Get a full-colour brochure for both homes by calling Knight Frank on 01892 515035. For more information on the range of beautifully built homes by Silver Homes visit silver-homes.co.uk.
Nearby, in another village location, Oakley New Homes is selling Fairlawn Manor, a one-off bespoke property of immense character. Quality materials, many individually sourced, are combined with the latest technology to create a home that is a perfect blend of classic architecture and state-of-the-art living.
The home is set in its own 0.6-acre plot on a quiet lane leading to the picturesque village of Mayfield, where you will find a good range of shops and amenities. Although quiet, this location is very well connected for commuters. From nearby Wadhurst station it is a one-hour train journey into central London, while drivers will find convenient links to the A21, M25 and other motorway networks approximately eight miles away.
Fairlawn Manor is for sale at a guide price of £1.2 million. For further information contact the sales department at Oakley New Homes on 01732 464044 or visit oakleynewhomes.com.

Crest Nicholson has a good presence in Sussex, with its very successful Bolnore Village development near Haywards Heath. Bolnore Village is a development styled after the traditional English village and offering a wide range of homes, from one- and two-bedroom apartments to three-, four- and five-bedroom houses. Careful planned to incorporate a range of amenities such as a local shop, village hall, social venues and recreational facilities, the development is a unique and very liveable environment.
Currently available homes in the Village Heights section of Bolnore Village include two-bedroom apartments with garage, priced from £199,950, as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, priced from £215,000. In Central Square, apartments with parking start at £199,950, while in Lower Village II there is one remaining four-bedroom house with garage and covered parking, priced at £435,000.
Crest Nicholson is offering some attractive incentive packages at Bolnore Village. Call 01444 440052 or go online to bolnorevillage.com to find out more.

Also in Haywards Heath, Crest Nicholson is selling Princess Mews, a collection of 14 three-bedroom houses that are ideal for young families or professional couples. Situated near the town centre, this development gives residents access to a wide range of amenities, including a shopping centre, a wide range of excellent restaurants, parks and gold courses, the South Downs, and of course the train station.

The houses are finished to an excellent standard, as you would expect from this award-winning developer. Kitchens are fresh and contemporary, with stylish fitted units and integrated appliances including fridge/freezer. Bathrooms and en suites feature elegant white sanitaryware from Roca complemented by polished chrome fittings. Living spaces are bright and airy, extending out to the rear garden via French doors.
Prices at Princess Mews start at £265,000 for a three-bedroom house. For further information call 0870 752 1820 or visit crestnicholson.com.
A further Haywards Heath development is KingsOak’s Wellswood Park, which offers a choice of spacious town houses – ideal for a range of buyers. The accommodation is versatile and the location, just three-quarters of a mile from the town centre.
Prices start at £284,995 for a three-bedroom town house with dressing area, and £289,995 for a four-bedroom town house with garage and parking. Call 01444 473715.

Time is of the essence at CDC2020’s Adurleys development in the beautiful South Downs village of Steyning. With only five apartments remaining, the developer has introduced a package of incentives that bring these desirable homes within reach of a wide range of buyers.
The remaining apartments are priced from £199,950 and have two bedrooms, two bedrooms and a high-quality kitchen. They are ready to move into and include fitted carpets throughout.
Now CDC2020 will pay both the five per cent deposit and the stamp duty – and will also make a contribution to the legal and survey fees.

Steyning is a very desirable village near the South Coast, rural but hardly remote. Brighton is only 14 miles away, while the A24 to Horsham and Worthing and the A283 to Shoreham-by-Sea are easily accessible. There are regular trains from Shoreham station to Gatwick Airport and London Victoria. Call CDC2020 on 01908 817058 or selling agents Churchlands on 01403 220800.

Try Homes offers the last house remaining for sale in the popular Trinity Gardens development on Church Road in Worth. The end terrace three-storey home has an integral garage, formal living room, combined kitchen and dining room with built appliances and a conservator overlooking the garden.
The property is ready to move into and includes curtains, light fittings and landscaped gardens – and as an extra incentive Try Homes will pay the stamp duty. This attractive development is located in a cul-de-sac off a well established residential road, ideal for transport connections.
The home is priced at £339,950. The development is open Saturdays and Sundays. Call 01293 886846 or visit tryhomes.co.uk.