29 Cockholm Crescent, Stow
BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
An outstanding energy efficient eco house in the village of Stow designed for family living . . . Once an important place in the woollen and agricultural industries in the 19th century, modern day Stow is a peaceful village within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh and Galashiels - potentially a property hotspot as it is about to have a new railway station on the Borders Railway, set to open later in the year. Interestingly, it will replace the railway station opened in 1848, which was closed during the Beeching era in 1969. One of the village’s newest properties to come on the market is an architect-designed eco house with an elevated setting that provides stunning views across and beyond the village.
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
Completed in 2010 by the present owners, this substantial family home’s orientation is designed to maximise solar gain and reduce running costs through a combination of electricity generating solar PV panels, under-floor heating powered by a ground source heat pump and a predominantly glazed frontage that incorporates three covered terraces with glass balustrades. As the electricity generated virtually covers the amount used, the result is annual fuel bills that are practically zero – a powerful selling point on its own. However, this home’s appeal is far more wide ranging. As a family home it works superbly well on every level, with abundant space to host family get-togethers and entertain, but also on a day-to-day basis enabling family members to enjoy their own space and privacy.
One of the village’s newest properties this architect designed eco house is built on an elevated setting
Built into a hill, it is a deceptively spacious property with accommodation spread over two levels. The ground floor layout includes a large L-shaped hallway in direct line of sight with one of the terraces to give an almost unobstructed view of the countryside. Off the hall is a glass-fronted sitting room with additional vaulted Velux windows and access to a covered terrace and balcony that leads into a fabulous 18ft dining-size fitted kitchen with glass doors to another covered terrace at the side of the house – perfect for informal meals outdoors during the summer months. Completing this level is a luxuriously appointed master bedroom suite with a 13ft en suite spa bathroom (also fully tiled shower area), fully fitted walk-in dressing room – and access to the central terrace in addition to having a pull-down ladder to a floored attic storage space.
The fabulous 18ft dining-size kitchen has glass doors to a covered terrace – perfect for entertaining outdoors during the summer
The lower ground floor reveals a 21ft living room - also with access to a decked covered terrace - sizeable fitted utility/laundry room that could be a second kitchen if required, partly tiled family bathroom with vanity storage/basin and over-bath shower, and three further double bedrooms, the smallest of which could equally be a study or nursery. All three bedrooms have fitted wardrobes, one also has an attractive en suite shower room.
BSPC FEATURED PROPERTY • WWW.BSPC.CO.UK
The devil is in the detail and this house has plenty of detail. The dining kitchen is extremely well equipped with timeless white units topped with solid wood worktops, while appliances include a stainless steel Stoves range cooker and overhead chimney extractor, Belfast sink with pull-out rinse tap, fridge freezer and dishwasher. Finishing touches include a cream ceramic tiled floor and attractive tiled splashbacks. Outside there is off-road parking for up to four vehicles, while the gardens have been landscaped to ensure minimal maintenance, with well stocked shrubs and flower beds, paved patios/barbecue area, mature trees and plenty of space for children to play. Two of the covered terraces as well as the balcony have artificial grass flooring laid, while the third terrace is decked – under the side terrace is another covered section housing a small garden shed. Another eco-friendly feature is an underground water tank that captures rainwater for recycling via outside taps. Complementing this property’s family appeal is a setting within an active village community that offers a good variety of local facilities, including a modern primary school and a new health centre and dispensary. Stow is a village that offers a tranquil and more laid-back pace of life in contrast to Galashiels, seven miles to the south, and Edinburgh, approximately 25 miles north. It also conveys a sense of the past – there has been a church in the village since the 7th century although the present church, St Mary of Wedale, dates from 1876 and features a 140ft high clock tower. Stow also has a rare example of a packhorse bridge, built in the 1650s. As family homes and locations go, this eco house is hard to beat.
29 Cockholm Crescent, Stow BSPC Featured Property 29 Cockholm Crescent, Stow, TD1 2RH Guide Price £385,000 Details on: Page 14
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The luxuriously appointed master bedroom suite has a 13ft en-suite spa bathroom, fully fitted walk -in dressing room – and access to the central terrace