Cambridge Property Edition February by Bright Publishing

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FEBRUARY 2014

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DREAM HOMES ASK THE AGENT

INTRODUCING

AURA

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WELCOME

WELCOME TO

PROPERTY EDITION

heartfelt February welcome to this month’s Property Edition! As the property market gathers momentum in the run-up to spring, we’ve been checking out the latest news and property listings from in and around Cambridge this month. On the cover we’ve showcased the Aura development of new builds, just off Long Road in Cambridge. It’s offering everything from contemporary one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family houses. You’ll find all the details in our Spotlight feature on page 13. While it seems we escaped the worst of the flooding across the UK this January, for many of us, flood damage to our homes is still a concern. It’s not something we always think to ask about when looking for a new home, but making sure a property is out of reach of any possible rising water should

be up there on your viewing checklist. Read more about it all on page 7. On the same page, we’ve also got some top buy to let advice from rental experts Accent Property. One of the most magnificent homes we’ve seen for a while, the elegant Elmhurst is our Dream Home this month. Situated in the pretty village of Melbourn, the period house has been sympathetically updated to provide sophisticated, sunny and spacious accommodation, ideal for a family. There’s more on this one on page 6. Meanwhile, Labour’s recent call to mobilising the small housebuilding industry to help address the housing crisis has come as welcome news to many: read more on page 18. And in other new homes news, we look at two new housing developments just outside Cambridge to see what they’ve got on offer.

JENNIFER SHELTON, FEATURES EDITOR

jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com 01223 499463

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COVER IMAGE We’ve shared a glimpse of the new Aura development with you on our cover this month. With many of Cambridge’s new homes developments filling up fast, this new addition to the city looks set to meet the demand for modern, well-designed and well-located homes that is continuing to grow. Aura stands just off Long Road and offers houses and apartments in a range of sizes and styles.

KEY ACCOUNTS MANAGER Julie Skeet 01223 499464 julieskeet@bright-publishing.com

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PROPERTY WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

PROPERTY NEWS

Edition takes a look at the latest happenings in the buzzing local property market

DREAM HOME

£1.2 million

A magnificent home south of Cambridge in the picturesque village of Melbourn has come onto the market with Strutt & Parker, offering stylish accommodation, large gardens and a peaceful, rural setting. Elmhurst dates originally from the 19th century, and has been extensively updated in recent years to create spacious, modern accommodation which retains plenty of character. There are five ground-floor reception rooms, including a triple-aspect drawing room with French doors to the garden and a contemporary kitchen/breakfast room with vaulted ceiling. Upstairs there are five bedrooms and three luxury bathrooms. The property also comes with outbuildings and a garage block that leads up to a large office or studio space that could be utilised as a games room or even a personal gym. Approached via a gravel drive, the gated house stands within large, well-maintained grounds. The large lawn to the rear backs onto the grounds of Melbourn Bury, a beautiful private estate, and offers a good level of privacy. Offers around £1.2 million are invited for this striking home. Contact 01223 459501. www.struttandparker.com

TRINITY LANE Capturing both the elegance of a traditional property and the convenience of a contemporary home, this stunning residence in Great Shelford is sure to turn a few heads. It’s one of three select properties at Trinity Lane, a David Reed Homes development just south of Cambridge, within the soughtafter and affluent village of Great Shelford. Accessed via a private road, and set within a mature plot, this property is the first to be released. It comprises four storeys of smart accommodation, including six bedrooms – with the potential for three more. The bespoke, open-plan kitchen is another fantastic feature, while beautifully landscaped gardens of half an acre, plus ample parking, are also provided. It is on the market for £2.75 million. Contact TuckerGardner on 01223 845240. www.davidreedhomes.co.uk

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PROPERTY

PROTECT AGAINST FLOODING Hopefully you all avoided the floods this Christmas, but for those at risk there are several measures to take which might help you avoid the worst in future. Gavin Human, manager of Fine & Country Cambridge, offers some advice on to minimise the impact of wet weather.

Protecting your property from flooding involves a variety of actions, from inspecting and maintaining the building, to installing protective devices and having a flood plan in place. The first thing to consider is the risk level for your property. The Environment Agency has an easily searchable map that provides flood risk assessment by postcode or suburb (or speak with your local building official). If you are in a high risk area, sign up for flood warnings by calling 0845 988 1188. It is not possible to completely flood proof a property, however there are things you can do that may reduce damage. If you are looking at purchasing property in a flood risk area you may want to pay attention to the measures in place before putting in an offer, as some protection can be costly. More complex considerations include repositioning electrical system components such as fuse and circuit breaker boxes, meters and outlets, which can be easily damaged. The recommended minimum level is one foot above the 100-year flood level. Elevate ventilation and cooling equipment, such as furnaces or hot water heaters. In flood-prone houses these elements should be moved away from ground floor or basement areas. A secondary measure is to build a concrete or masonry block flood

wall around the equipment. Further tricks to keep floodwater at bay include raising door thresholds to keep out shallow flooding or purchasing purpose-built flood boards for doors and windows for when flooding is expected. Other solutions include air brick covers that can be easily fitted when flooding is anticipated. Drains and pipes should be fitted with non-return valves to prevent waste water flowing in to the property and if the area is prone to groundwater flooding it may be worth sealing floors or replacing wooden floorboards with concrete. Most importantly, put a flood plan in place so that you can act quickly in the case of a flood and reduce the impact. Simple considerations include moving anything of value to upper floors or higher shelves. Make copies of all your important documents and store them in a safe, dry place. This includes your insurance policy which you should read thoroughly so that you know what is actually covered. Also make sure you are familiar with how to turn off your utility supplies. Finally, prepare an emergency kit in case you are trapped or need to evacuate. For advice on selling or buying property, contact Fine & Country Cambridge on 01223 363700 or visit www.fineandcountry.com

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BUY TO LET IN 2014 The new year is always a busy time for Cambridge’s rental market, and following a strong end to 2013, the next 12 months should be no different, says Sarah Cox, branch manager at Accent Cambridge. “Over the last year the city has seen a number of new developments completed, and with plenty more to follow throughout 2014 it is an encouraging time for any would-be investors,” she explains. “Despite the introduction of the Help to Buy scheme, which is certainly helping some people buy homes, we expect the volume of applicants hoping to rent in the city to remain high.” This, she explains, is partly due to high property prices, meaning even a five per cent deposit is beyond the reach of many, but it’s also due to the fact many people choose to rent for its flexibility and convenience. “Within the city, we see high demand for all types of property, but my advice to any aspiring landlord is to always try and buy something versatile that is adaptable to any changes in market conditions,” adds Sarah. “A two-bedroom property can cater to a variety of tenants from one person to sharers or even a small family. The property might easily be let to a single professional, but should conditions change the two bedrooms make it an appealing proposition for two sharers who can then split the rent between them. “There are a number of developments in and around Cambridge and I would recommend that anyone considering a buy to let property go for a property within one of these developments.” According to Accent, demand is consistently high for properties at The Marque, Cambridge’s tallest residential building and home to a number of stylish apartments, while rental properties located in either Riverside Place or the Ceres development are also highly sought after. There are also developments underway which should create plenty of buy to let opportunities in 2014, and with demand for new builds high amongst applicants keen to make their money go further, the rental market for the year ahead looks set to remain strong. “There is a great deal to consider at the beginning of a buy to let investment so it is crucial to consult an independent specialist,” Sarah explains. “My team and I are proud to be able to offer the best possible advice and service; we are completely independent, based locally and have many years experience of the Cambridge market.” www.accentproperty.com

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PROPERTY

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

SPOTLIGHT ON

AURA

A brand new development of houses and apartments has just been released in one of the most prestigious addresses in Cambridge. Introducing Aura...

brand new development of luxury homes is soon to be unveiled by Countryside Properties, adding to the growing community in Trumpington, just south of the city. From the developers of the awardwinning Accordia development in Cambridge, Aura occupies a prestigious address off Long Road and features striking, award-winning architecture. Comprising a wide range of uniquely designed properties, ranging from well equipped, one-bedroom apartments through to executive style, five-bedroom houses and mansions, there’s a great choice of property styles to choose from.

Tony Travers, managing director of the New Homes and Communities Division of Countryside Properties, comments: “Aura has been meticulously designed and provides for a wide range of buyers, creating a sustainable new community for generations to come. The architecture of the development has been a key focus, with landscaped squares designed to create a variety of character areas. Large contemporary homes sit within a leafy environment, complemented by smaller,

The architecture of the development has been a key focus, with landscaped squares designed to create a variety of character areas

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intermediate townhouses and courtyards, creating a buffer between the apartment streets and larger Arcadian closes that nestle between the existing hedgerows and mature trees.” As well as 229 one-, two- and threebedroom apartments and three-, fourand five-bedroom houses, all designed with modern living firmly in mind, the development features a central plaza with tree-lined boulevards, giving a peaceful, suburban feel. Every home at

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PROPERTY

Aura has been designed to make the most of natural daylight and the wooded surroundings. Flanked by two mature woodland areas, Aura itself features green areas which lead directly onto the wildlife corridor, providing uninterrupted views to the adjoining countryside. From the apartments to the glamorous four- and five-bedroom mansions, every home at Aura benefits from a high specification within. All properties will feature contemporary kitchens with a range of integrated appliances, while bathrooms and en-suites will have stylish white sanitaryware with modern fixtures and fittings. The homes have also been designed with the environment in mind, with smart meters enabling residents to monitor the energy used and run their homes more efficiently. The mansion houses will also have photovoltaic panels. Residents at Aura will benefit from access to all the facilities Great Kneighton

has to offer. Set in an outstanding parkland location, the area is set to benefit from an extensive range of proposed new amenities including shops, community facilities, a 120-acre country park as well as new schools. The development is also situated within just a few miles of The Perse and The Leys Schools, which are two of the UK’s leading independent schools and some of the most successful in the region for ensuring their pupils gain places in top universities. There’s easy access to the city centre by guided bus (just minutes away), which offers a regular service to the city centre itself, Addenbrooke’s hospital, Cambridge Science Park and beyond. There is also

a foot/cycle path running alongside the guided bus route for the more fitness conscious among us! For travelling further afield, Cambridge train station is around 2.5 miles from the development, offering fast and frequent links to London in as little as 50 minutes. Access to the nearby road network couldn’t be better either, with junction 11 of the M11 only minutes away, offering a convenient route to Stansted airport in approximately 35 minutes. In addition, there will be a number of vehicles available to hire from the car club located within the neighbourhood square. Guide prices at Aura range from £300,000 to in excess of £2million.

To register your interest or for more information, visit www.auracambridge.co.uk

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PROPERTY

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN

All the latest from Cambridge’s new property developments

LABOUR CALLS FOR ‘ARMY OF SMALL BUILDERS’ Increasing the number of small house builders may be the key to delivering the number of new homes this country needs, says the Federation of Master Builders, in agreement with Labour’s call for an ‘army of small builders’ to help address the housing crisis. In a speech in January, the shadow housing minister, Emma Reynolds, announced that a future Labour Government would require local authorities to allocate more small sites for housebuilding and a commitment to ensure public land will widen opportunities for small builders. Brian Berry, FMB chief executive, said:

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“Labour’s plans to boost housebuilding by helping small builders enter the housing market is the right step forward. Over the past 25 years small housebuilders have been squeezed out of the market. In 1988 two-thirds of all new homes were built by SME builders, but that figure now stands at less than a third. This decline has accelerated over the past five years, as large numbers of firms have either gone out of business or have diversified out of building homes altogether.” Berry continued: “Any political party serious about tackling the housing crisis needs to get small housebuilders back into the market. Two barriers are preventing

this – lack of access to finance and lack of access to land. Until these two issues are addressed, small builders will not be able to build the number of new homes that are needed to solve the housing crisis. “Housing is rising up the political agenda and will be a key issue during the general election. Everyone has the right to a decent affordable home, which is why it is encouraging that the Labour Party is actively seeking ways to achieve this,” Berry explains. “An army of small builders is exactly what is needed to boost the housing supply and help provide more choice in an overpriced and constricted housing market.”

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PROPERTY

IN SAFE HANDS AT PRIORY MEADOW This brand new development is currently underway in St Neots, offering a range of different house types to suit every buyer. Priory Meadow, by Miller Homes, stands within beautiful countryside, close to the River Great Ouse. What’s more, the homes are being overseen by an award-winning manager. “We are delighted to say that the homes being built here are under the

watchful eye of site manager Mark Herbert, who has just won a company award for his work at Priory Meadow,” says Tracey Lee, sales director. “Mark takes real pride in his job and his attention to detail is first class, so purchasers can be confident they are buying a quality product built under the supervision of an award-winning site manager.”

The range includes two- to five-bedroom houses, but only four- and five-bedrooms are still available, with prices ranging from £237,950 to £342,000. “We also offer Help to Buy which has assisted many people. Often they have been able to buy a larger home than they originally thought possible,” adds Tracey. www.millerhomes.co.uk

NEW HOMES FOR SAFFRON WALDEN Tudor Park is an exciting new development of 93 three- and four-bedroom homes in the beautiful medieval market town of Saffron Walden, created by developer Persimmon Homes. The show homes are now open, enabling you to see for yourself the high-quality finish on offer and get a feel for this new community of detached and semi-detached homes. When completed, the houses will be equipped with driveways, garages, car ports and en-suite bathrooms, and the development will also feature a children’s play area. There are houses available to buy already at Tudor Park, which is situated on De Vigier Avenue, and the marketing suite is open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and at weekends, from 10am to 5pm. The developer is offering a whole range of special offers on the homes, from part exchange to Help to Buy, so it’s well worth making an appointment to see Tudor Park for yourself and find out what’s available. Find out more at the website. www.persimmonhomes.com

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