l r, or ca e o lo ap r d ur y p ou Yo ert to y op d pr ere liv de
London & Southern Edition
November / December 2015
MORTGAGES P23 WHATHOUSE? AWARDS REVIEW P25 INTERIORS P58 GARDENING P62
WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year – find out more on P30
A GREAT LOCATION WITH FIRST CLASS CONNECTIONS
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THE VALE, HOOK GREEN ROAD, SOUTHFLEET, KENT 3, 4 & 5 bedroom new homes T: 01474 230160
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London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Isle of Wight – Find your new home at Whathouse.com
SOMETHING BIG IS IN STORE FOR ELEPHANT & CASTLE Discover Elephant Park, Central London’s greenest new place to live in Zone 1. Lend Lease invites you to an exclusive sales launch for the new release of one, two and three bedroom homes in West Grove. Discover Elephant Park and the future of the Elephant & Castle regeneration.
BRAND NEW RELEASE – SALES LAUNCH EVENT Thursday 26th November 4pm – 8pm Elephant Park Experience Suite (opposite Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre) Limited availability Call to book your appointment 020 3675 9955 | welcomehome@lendlease.com
www.elephantpark.co.uk
All images used are for illustrative purposes only. Furniture and landscaping are also shown for illustrative purposes only. Detail design of facades and landscaping subject to planning agreement, it is anticipated that there will be changes in landscape design. Individual features such as windows, brick and other materials’ colours may vary, as may heating and electrical layouts. These particulars should not be relied upon as accurately describing any of the specific matters described by any order under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Business Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. This information including images and dimensions is not intended to form part of or constitute a contract or warranty. October 2015.
saving tips 3
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
Saving for I a deposit
Welcome!
What’s the best way to build up your deposit funds?
F
or many homebuyers – particularly first-timers – saving the deposit is the toughest part of the purchase
process. Even with tough new mortgage lending rules, getting the money together to put down on your new home will probably be even more difficult. For many, the last few years have brought scant increases in wages, even as house prices have surged ahead. In England and Wales, the average property now costs £186,553, according to September’s Land Registry data, and in London, you’re looking at a pocketful of change from half a million, at £499,997. With the average deposit at around 30%, the sums involved are considerable. If you’re not on a big salary, they are even harder to attain against rising rents and bills and low savings interest rates. Of course, schemes such as Help to Buy are one alternative – the deposit required can be as little as 5%, if you’re buying a home under this government initiative. (Read about it at www. whathouse.com/advice/help-to-buy). But you’ll also need to factor in your other costs – legal fees, removal costs, stamp duty etc. So, how can you maximise your savings to reach your deposit target?
START EARLY It’s never too early to start saving. Putting money to one side is a great habit to get into, even if buying a home may not be your initial aim. Whether it’s putting spare change into a jar or diligently transferring money from your current account every month, every little really does help right from the word go.
SET A TARGET Be realistic in your expectations. Aim for a property at a price that you think you can afford (you might want three bedrooms but could you cope with a place with two?) and a timescale that you can achieve. If you can save £400 a month and need £15,000 in all, it’s
going to take you three years. Aiming for a shared ownership property (www.whathouse.com/advice/sharedownership) will reduce your deposit requirement and get you on the property ladder at the same time.
REDUCE YOUR SPENDING You’ll need discipline to do this, but even small sacrifices can add up to a lot. Forgoing the posh coffee on the way into work might save you £2 a day or more – upwards of £500 in a year. Cancelling any underused subscriptions (magazines, clubs etc) will also reap benefits that will quickly accumulate.
REDUCE YOUR RENT Paying rent is probably the biggest hindrance to saving the cash to buy your own place, and rents are rising quickly in many regions. Could you cope with downsizing to a smaller place for a while? Is it possible to move back in with parents for a period of time? There’s a sacrifice to be made
here that won’t suit everyone, but could mean boosting your monthly savings considerably.
SAVE AUTOMATICALLY If you don’t have access to the money in the first place, you’ll miss it less. Set up a standing order or regular transfer (usually free of charge) out of your current account into a separate savings account every week or month. It’ll stop you being tempted to overspend.
LOOK AROUND FOR THE BEST RATES The biggest brands spend a fortune on marketing and advertising, so it would be easy to get the impression that they are your best bet for saving your money. But there are lots of other large and small organisations that don’t spend savers’ money on adverts and offer better returns instead. Look at comparison websites and check on the internet for a lesserknown brand that will pay you more.
CHECK YOUR REGULARLY
RATES
Many of us have put our money into accounts that have promised the world, only to find a year or two later that the rates have been slashed without us really noticing. Keep your eye out for the rates on your existing accounts and compare them to the best deals. Don’t be afraid to move your money around if you can see a better deal elsewhere.
HELP TO BUY ISA Help to Buy Isas were announced by George Osborne in the March 2015 budget. They are specifically aimed at people saving for their first home and are set to launch in December. Like normal Isas, these provide a tax-efficient way of saving. There’s a contribution limit of £200 per month (to which the government adds £50) and a total limit of £12,000 (£15,000 once your tax is added back). If you’re buying with a partner, you can both take out a Help to Buy Isa and double the benefit.
t comes around quick enough, doesn’t it? The end of a busy year in the housing industry – and one which ended on a flurry of new and renewed measures by Chancellor George Osborne to boost the property market. Most of his housing announcements in the Autumn Statement were broadly welcomed: the introduction of Help to Buy London to assist buyers in the capital; expansion of the Shared Ownership initiative; extending the Right to Buy scheme; and suggesting that the government can fund 400,000 new starter homes at discounted prices to buyers under 40. For some, his introduction of a 3% stamp duty levy for second homes and buy-to-let property was applauded, while others pointed out that it seemed an unnecessary to amateur investors who have opted to use their savings in an additional property rather than a more traditional pension fund, for example. Many spectators, however, pointed out that the announcement of new starter homes was not new, having already been proposed a year ago, and that the numbers of homes to be constructed which the Chancellor has proposed are unachievable due to a chronic shortage of skilled labour in our workforce. Our editorial director Rupert Bates made a rallying cry to the new homes industry at our WhatHouse? Awards event last month, to be brave and pioneer a substantial and long-lasting structure of attracting talent and teaching skills to housebuilding, so that the crisis of new homes numbers can start to be alleviated. From bricklayers to quantity surveyors to managers, we simply can’t build enough homes without them, and it will take a concerted effort from all the parties involved, including government and the employers, to build our workforce to be able to achieve the task. Our housebuilders are working hard to produce new homes, whether they be starter homes, houses for growing families or properties aimed at retirees. If your search for a new home hasn’t ended in success in 2015, keep looking at whathouse.com for more listings of new plots coming to the market over 2016. Merry Christmas, a prosperous New Year – and happy househunting!
Keith Keith Osborne, editor. ko@whathouse.com @keithosborne69
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*Help to buy available subject to T&Cs. Please note that external image is CGI of development and internal image is of show apartment.
Rupert Bates, editorial director of WhatHouse? has been a property journalist for 25 years. He is an award-winning writer who started on local newspapers before becoming a columnist on The Daily Telegraph. He presents the annual WhatHouse? Awards, edits leading housebuilding magazine Show House and is property correspondent of The Field magazine.
A chance to win £50 It couldn’t be simpler – just ‘follow’ us on Twitter (@What_House) One of our new followers from 10 December 2015 to 9 January 2016 will win £50 in Marks and Spencer vouchers
Keith Osborne started writing about property 14 years ago and has been editor of Whathouse. com since 2010. He is currently a columnist in housebuilding trade magazine Show House and has previously written for Homes Overseas magazine. He has also been a part of the WhatHouse? Awards judging panel for a number of years.
Managing director Daniel Hill Editorial director Rupert Bates Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com Assistant editor Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.com Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost Designer Sarah Davies Contributors Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham Sales director Adrian Talbot at@globespanmedia.com Sales manager Murad Paloba mp@whathouse.com Sales Ian Richardson ir@whathouse.com Advertsing sales David Wright dw@whathouse.com Head of digital Simon Phillips simon@whathouse.com
Published by: Globespan Media Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG T: 020 7940 1070 E: info@globespanmedia.com W: www.whathouse.com Printed by 39zero / Distributed by Royal Mail © 2015 Globespan Media Limited WhatHouse?, ISSN: 02691310
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No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors and omissions.
NHBC – the mark of a quality home Before you buy a new home, make sure it has Buildmark, which provides you with 10 years’ warranty and insurance. Then you’ll know it’s good quality and that your investment is protected.
0844 633 1000 www.nhbcnewhomes.co.uk
NHBC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. NHBC is registered in England and Wales under company number 00320784. NHBC’s registered address is NHBC House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK5 8FP. J441 09/15
6 six appeal
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
The Old Free Church, Ardgay, Highland, Scotland • Guide price £275,000 Built in 1849, The Old Free Church has been converted to a three-bedroom home of high standards and the spacious property is now in full, walk-in condition. Many of the original features of this Grade B listed property, situated around 36 miles north of Inverness, have been retained. Joanne Stennett, of Bell Ingram in Inverness, says: “The Old Free Church is a stunning, one-of-a-kind property that would be the perfect purchase for any house-hunter seeking a home with a difference. Unlike many former church buildings, which would often require extensive renovation, this property has been modernised and upgraded to a very high standard while still maintaining its period and historic charm.
“Nearby rail and road links also mean this would make the perfect home for anyone working in nearby towns and cities but who would prefer to swap the daily commotion for the calm of the country in the evening and at weekends.” Ardgay and the Dornoch Firth make an excellent base for fans of walking, fishing and golfing and might make an ideal get-awayfrom-it-all holiday home.
From: Bell Ingram Contact: 01463 717799
Six appeal Our pick of conversion properties currently for sale The Star and Garter, Richmond-uponThames, London • From £1.3m
Battersea Police Station, Battersea, London • From £490,000
Located just a stone’s throw from the gates to Richmond Park at the top of Richmond Hill, the Star & Garter is a meticulous refurbishment of a Grade II listed landmark building – a former hotel and hospital for injured servicemen. The developer is retaining the imposing period features as it converts the building into luxuriously specified one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments. It has a magnificent setting, with an iconic view across meadows to the River Thames and beyond and visible from the building’s
The former Battersea Police Station building is being converted into new apartments and extended with a brand new building, which will be linked to the red-brick Victorian original by a glass atrium. Eleven of the one-bedroom apartments are being offered for purchase by shared ownership, seven in the police station and four in the new building. The apartments in the converted police station are spacious, with high ceilings and full-height sash windows and homes on the ground floor open onto a garden terrace. Full-height windows in the new building mirror those of the original building and most have a balcony with plenty of room to enjoy a drink or meal outside.
restored gardens. It was once painted by Turner and other artists and is the only view in England protected by an Act of Parliament. An immaculate interior specification and numerous private facilities, including a leisure suite with a pool, spa and treatment room, Harrods concierge service, and town car, ensure an incomparable lifestyle for residents. The sales suite and show apartment are open daily, with viewings by appointment.
From: London Square Contact: 0333 666 0102
The homes are arranged around a large landscaped south-facing courtyard, a perfect retreat for residents to relax in and socialise with their neighbours. Kush Rawal, salers and marketing director at Thames Valley Housing, says: “This is an amazing opportunity. Homes with such character and in a hotspot like Battersea are far beyond most people’s reach, but shared ownership makes it accessible to buy one of these very special apartments. I’ve no doubt that interest will be very high.”
From: Thames Valley Housing Contact: 020 8607 0550
For the latest on the property market
six appeal 7
@What_House
York House, Farnborough, Hampshire • From £177,500 York House is a four storey, 12,735 sq ft modern development, which has recently been converted from an office block into 23 one- and twobedroom apartments located within walking distance of Farnborough town centre. Each apartment has been designed to a high specification for comfortable modern living, including individually designed fully fitted kitchens, with high-gloss units and black granite work surfaces, engineered oak flooring to the hallway and contemporary bathrooms with white sanitaryware and ceramic tiling to walls and floors.
The developers, Plymouth Residential, are a specialist asset management company based in London that formed in 2005. York House has been converted with great care and attention to detail. The company’s vision was to design homes for their customers that feel light and spacious and will offer modern contemporary living, not just to accommodate, but also enhance the lifestyles of its residents.
From: Romans Contact:01344 753 110
The Fitzbourne, Fitzrovia, London W1 • From £2.995m
King Edward VII Estate, Midhurst, West Sussex From £252,500 Built in 1901, the King Edward VII Estate has a fascinating history. Designed to serve as a specialist tuberculosis sanatorium, the building was officially opened by King Edward VII on 6 June 1906, and heralded as “one of the three finest buildings of the time”. The design for the hospital and its grounds was undertaken by an important triumvirate of the day: Charles Holden, Percy Adams and Gertrude Jekyll - a partnership which played a pivotal cornerstone
of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Having lain empty and at risk of decay for a number of years since it officially closed, the estate has now been given a new lease of life, with City & Country fully restoring and converting the majestic Grade II and II* listed buildings. This includes the transformation of the outstanding central tuberculosis sanatorium and an Arts & Crafts style chapel. The gardens - originally designed and planted by highly acclaimed horticulturalist Gertrude Jekyll - are
also being lovingly restored and reinstated. The homes juxtapose contemporary, high-quality specifications with interior decoration that has been influenced by the Arts & Crafts period. Owners also have access to the surrounding 165 acres of grounds as well as a concierge service.
From: City & Country Contact: 01730 817979
This scheme comprises three twobedroom and three three-bedroom apartments together with two triplex penthouses, which have been created by this award-winning boutique developer from a Victorian former office building. The Fitzbourne dates from 1894 and has been fully refurbished to make the most of its high ceilings, triple-aspect living areas and handsome red-brick build. It occupies a double corner plot and with captivating views over the West End. The interiors have been bestowed with a lavish, nocompromise specification, with bespoke Häcker kitchens, in-built Miele appliances and Crestron automated home systems that can be controlled via your smartphone or tablet. While interior designer Louisa Penn Interiors has utilised the original features of the building,
such as the glass framework fanlight above the dedicated entrance doors, there is a distinctive, elegant, contemporary feel to the properties, with concealed lighting, hi-tech electronic controls and modern classic materials and finishes throughout. The development is well connected, too, with Great Portland Street and Oxford Street underground stations a short stroll away, just like the open spaces of Regent’s Park. Purchasers also automatically receive one year’s membership of Quintessentially lifestyle concierge services on completion, helping to maximise the enjoyment of central London living.
From: Oakmayne Bespoke Contact: 020 7486 8866 (Carter Jonas) / 020 7420 3050 (CBRE)
8 development of the month
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
Introducing Royal Crescent - Now Launched Royal Crescent is a striking, graceful building of luxuriously specified homes overlooking beautifully manicured gardens and a peaceful water feature. This new release of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses is the crowning glory of Stanmore Place. Residents benefit from exclusive facilities including a 24 hour concierge service, gymnasium, secure allocated parking* and car share club.
www.stanmoreplace.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies
For the latest on the property market
@What_House
development of the month 9
Prices from ÂŁ457,500. Call now 020 3627 4658. Sales & Marketing Suite open daily 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm). Stanmore Place, Honeypot Lane, London HA7 1BT. Subject to separate negotiation. Prices correct at time of going to press and subject to availability. Computer generated image depicts Royal Crescent and is indicative only.
*
JU NE ST W RE HO LE ME A S SE D
AUTUMN SALES EVENT – SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER JOIN US ON SITE TO EXPERIENCE THE AREA FOR YOURSELF AND RESERVE YOUR NEW HOME AT 2015 PRICES
AN EXCLUSIVE NEW DEVELOPMENT OF 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AND 3, 4 AND 5 BEDROOM HOUSES IN LEAFY SOUTHFIELDS
1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS FROM £429,950 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS FROM £534,950
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CONTACT US TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT
TEL: 020 3817 7000 CAMBIUM@LENDLEASE.COM WWW.CAMBIUM.LONDON PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLICATION. IMAGES ARE ILLUSTRATIVE AND FOR INDICATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.
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london
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
Agent insight
11
We speak to Andrew Ellinas, director of Sandfords about the prime central and north-west London market Can you tell us about your patch and to whom it appeals? We genuinely love our home patch, which we call NoXo (north of Oxford Street). It runs from Marylebone Road in the north to Oxford Street in the south and is bound on the west by Edgware Road and Portland Place to the east. It encompasses streets and properties that appeal to all types of buyers, from those looking to buy a secure mansion flat with concierge facilities to period town houses and converted apartments. What has been the biggest challenge in the prime central London (PCL) property market this autumn?
It’s been trying to bridge the chasm between the unrealistic expectations of vendors with offers made by buyers who are frustrated by the lack of stock on the market, as well as the shortage of buyers, all at the same time! The increase in stamp duty at the top end of the market and the changes to the capital gains tax for non-domiciled persons will continue to have a negative effect on the PCL market. How are the traditional areas of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill holding up against the new developments? We’re are specialists in the Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill areas, which are
both unique parts of London and have equally been cemented as two of the capital’s most popular destinations. This ensures that the market will remain fluid. Both locations have many reasons as to why they remain so sought after, including easy access to world-class shops and restaurants, great transport links plus iconic green open spaces. They are village communities in themselves, each with their own identities, and this adds to their appeal. There is also the allure of having famous and wealthy neighbours. New developments are planned all over central London, some of which are already under construction, and it will
Fields of dreams
Young professional finds his ideal brand new home in Camberwell
C
a mberwell is an area that has recently been living somewhat under the shadow of its neighbour to the north, Elephant & Castle, but the regeneration that has been going on in this diverse and thriving district has been almost as dramatic. Among the new homes that have been transforming the area are those at Camberwell Fields, from Notting Hill Housing, which offers a mix of private sale and shared ownership properties. Among the new residents is Moacyr Monteiro de Silva Jr, a British Airways flight attendant who has bought a two-bedroom apartment and is moving in with his partner Amnon. This is the third home that Mo has bought and having sampled life around London, he had already identified the area as a great place to live, with a vibrant and active community and plenty of useful amenities and leisure
options, including Burgess Park, a large public open space just two minutes from Camberwell Fields that has benefitted from an £8m programme of improvements. Mo was also attracted by the contemporary design of the new homes. “I had my eye on the development from the very beginning,” he says. “I asked to view the [show home] and thought the décor was finished to an exceptional standard. A real advantage for me was having a balcony with great views. There is also a covered car park, making it very convenient to park my car. I was extremely impressed by the well-designed layout of the new build development.” He also found the buying process very easy, thanks to the attention of the sales team. “It was really easy to register my name and Notting Hill was quick to let me know when I had secured the property. The application process proved very straightforward to
complete.” With superb bus links, and nearby rail and Tube stations at Elephant & Castle, Denmark Hill and Stockwell, Camberwell is well connected to most parts of London. It offers a lot within its own boundaries too, with many independently run cafés, restaurants and pubs and a lively creative and arts scene, including the Blue Elephant Theatre and South London Gallery. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment at Camberwell Fields currently start from £399,050, with a three-bedroom townhouse priced from £692,500. Among current availability are six wheelchair-accessible units. Also recently launched is the final phase of shared ownership homes, with prices starting from £149,000 for a 40% share of a one-bedroom apartment. Find out more at www.camberwellfields.com; 020 8357 4444
be interesting to watch their progress over the coming months and effect on the local market. How big a problem is money laundering in the London property market? We have stringent procedures in place and are not aware of any money laundering happening in the London market. Every agency that I know has tightened and improved their anti-money laundering procedures to comply with legislation and therefore I don’t think that it’s as big a problem for estate agents as has been portrayed within the media.
What’s surprised you most about the PCL market this year? It has been the tardiness with which the slowdown of market activity has been acknowledged and accepted by vendors and other agents. I called the top of the market back in spring 2014 as signs of a slowdown in the PCL market became progressively evident and price levels topped. It has taken time for vendors to recognise that the market has moved on and so have prices.
Find out more at www.sandfords.com; 020 7723 9988
We’re open for business, whatever the climate.
For the last 40 years, through all market conditions, we’ve consistently lent to residential property developers. So if you’re looking for funds, you won’t find a more experienced, flexible and reliable business partner. To find out how we can help your development, please call Close Brothers Property Finance on 020 7655 3655 or visit closepropertyfinance.com
I
Close Brothers Modern Merchant Banking
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23/04/2015 11:38
Communication is the key to success At Moving Made Easy, we have a reputation for providing an unbeatable service in Part Exchange and Assisted Sales. We are proud to operate on a national scale with some of the largest housebuilders in the UK, Barratt Homes, Berkeley, Bellway and Redrow Homes to name just a few. Our promise is to communicate with you effectively and pledge to keep you informed of our progress every step of the way.
No one does it like Moving Made Easy.
t 01787 222700 e info@mme.uk.com www.moving-madeeasy.co.uk
Proud sponsors of:
YOUR BESPOKE HOME IN AN EXCLUSIVE AND TRANQUIL OXFORD SETTING The Acre, by Kevin McCloud’s HAB Housing, is an exciting new development of five individually-designed detached homes. Set in a premium location on Oxford’s Cumnor Hill, the homes all give you the opportunity to save thousands on Stamp Duty and tailor the internal layout and finishes to suit your lifestyle.
Prices from £1,425,000
Visit: habhousing.co.uk/theacre
Call: 0117 4030715
Images used for illustration purposes only. Prices correct at time of print Oct. 2015
South London regen goes West Next phase of homes on sale as Lendlease completes first phase of £1.5bn regeneration
T
h e regeneration of Elephant & Castle continues to build up strong momentum with the latest homes now on sale in the second phase of Elephant Park – known as West Grove, and a central part of the 3,000 community
of homes being delivered by Lendlease. This comes as the £1.5bn regeneration has reached a key milestone, with the first homes at Trafalgar Place, adjacent to Elephant Park, complete and the first residents moved in to the 235 homes. West Grove has been designed by
award-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and Panter Hudspith Architects, and comprises 593 homes located across eight apartment buildings, which are a mix of mid-rise mansion buildings and towers that vary from five to 31 storeys. Homes look out over two residents’ courtyards,
offering a distinctive woodland or orchard landscape, as well as ample play areas, relaxed seating and richly varied planting designed by landscape architects Gillespies. The development comprises suites, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, which offer a private terrace or balcony and access to a range of amenities including a 24-hour concierge service, gym facilities, function rooms, and a lobby area, which provides a welcoming ‘third space’ to work, socialise and relax. Residents’ ‘grow gardens’ in each courtyard offer the chance to plant and nurture vegetables and herbs, while getting to know neighbours. The homes are a new benchmark for sustainable living in the UK, being 30% more energy-efficient than current regulations require and using 30% less water than the average London home. West Grove will include a vibrant new shopping street that runs throughout Elephant Park, where
a range of independent shops will sit alongside cafés and bars. Up to 13 independent shops in West Grove will be delivered in addition to a new food store, up to nine high street shops along the Walworth Road and a restaurant facing Walworth Square, a brand new civic square that will be at the heart of the local community. Rob Heasman, Lendlease’s project director for Elephant & Castle, remarks: “Our vision for Elephant Park is to create central London’s greenest new place to. Every single element of the design of the homes, the communal facilities and the retail offering aims to deliver on that vision. “The launch of West Grove marks another major step in our delivery of one of the most sought-after and sustainable new places to live with the convenience of central London’s Zone 1. With the significant sales success of the previous phase at Elephant Park, we expect buying interest at West Grove to be equally strong.” Construction is set to begin on West Grove later this year. Work is also well underway at One The Elephant, a 37-storey building consisting of 284 new homes, which is due for completion early next year. Find out more at www.elephantpark.co.uk; 020 3675 9955
london
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
15
In the spotlight: Hillingdon Surging prices underline the need for more new homes in this part of West London estimated 293,000 at a mid-2014 estimate.
WHAT IS THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE LIKE? The council is run by the Conservatives, who have 46 of the 65 council seats, with Labour in the remainder. Onkar Sahota (Labour) represents the borough on the London Assembly. There are three parliamentary constituencies: Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Nick Hurd, Con); Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell, Lab); and Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson, Con).
WHAT DO HOUSES COST?
WHERE IS IT? Hillingdon is London’s westernmost borough, bounded to the east by the boroughs of Harrow, Ealing and Hounslow and by the counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey to the north, west and south
According to figures from the Land Registry (for September 2015), the average house price in Hillingdon is £355.435, up 13.1% from a year previously. Average prices range from £267,982 for a flat to £661,532 for a detached home. respectively. With around 200 public parks and open spaces, it is one of London’s greenest boroughs. Places of note within its boundaries include Hayes, Harlington, Ickenham, Northwood, Ruislip, Uxbridge, West Drayton and Heathrow Airport. Colne
Valley Park takes up most of the north-west area of the borough.
WHO LIVES THERE? The ethnically diverse population of Hillingdon has jumped from around 274,000 at the 2011 census to an
REGENERATION The Council’s Strategic Plan identifies a target of 425 new homes per year for the borough, originally up to 2021 but subsequently extended to 2026. Its Housing Market Assessment also
recognises a considerable need for affordable homes – 2,623 per year, in fact. Hillingdon will benefit from the Crossrail project, which is set to launch in 2018/19, with Hayes & Harlington, West Drayton and Heathrow all on the east-west route. The new, fast rail services directly through the centre of London will make the borough a more appealing commuter option, especially around these stations. Hillingdon has already recorded significant rises in average property prices over the last couple of years as a result of demand from owner-occupiers and investors. Plans were recently unveiled for a large regeneration project for Northwood station, where Transport for London hopes to build 127 flats and houses and create more retail space in Green Lane and Station Approach. Over 600 homes are planned for The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes, a £250m regeneration scheme on the site of the old HMV/EMI record pressing site. In addition to the residential part of the scheme, there will be a multiplex cinema, museum, restaurant complex, and a range of shops and bars.
NEW HOMES
Trident House, Hayes Galliard Homes This former office building is on the doorstep of Hayes & Harlington station and is being converted into 98 modern apartment suites. From £TBA Find out more at www.galliardhomes.com; 020 3393 8285
Sylvana Close, Uxbridge Annington Homes
Birchwood Grange, Northwood David Wilson Homes
Just five properties in Sylvana Close are to be released for sale at an open day on 14 November. The road is located in the heart of a leafy, residential area close to the town centre. The homes have been extensively refurbished and now offer new kitchens, bathrooms and carpets, and have also been redecorated throughout. These rarely available detached homes are set back from the road with front gardens and each home has its own private driveway, offering generous space for off-road parking. “Properties located on and around Vine Lane are highly soughtafter; there’s a great demand for homes here and the vast majority of residents are owner-occupiers”, says Danielle Gennard, sales director at local agent Gibbs Gillespie.
Birchwood Grange is a private cul-de-sac of five-bedroom detached houses on the prestigious Ducks Hill Road in Northwood. It’s a location that ticks a lot of boxes, including countryside surroundings and swift transport links to the centre of London (little more than half-an-hour on the Metropolitan Line). The new homes at Birchwood Grange are nestled between acres of green parkland. Northwood is home to a great range of high-quality pubs, cafés, restaurants and independent shops. There’s more to enjoy just a short drive from home, in Bushey, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Rickmansworth. There are a number of golf courses within just a few minutes’ drive and nature and wildlife to enjoy in Ruislip Woods and Colne Valley Park close by.
Price: £POA Find out more at www.annington.co.uk
Price: From £1.075m Find out more at www.dwh.co.uk; 0844 854 7767
Platform 5, West Drayton Careys New Homes Due for release towards the end of the year is this scheme of 23 luxury apartments situated immediately next to West Drayton mainline rail station. From £TBA Find out more at www.careysnewhomes.co.uk; 020 8900 0221
A life changing move It is now a year since Steve and June Bradley moved into their new home in Durrants Village in Faygate, near Horsham – exclusively for the over 55s* and one of the latest being built by award-winning retirement lifestyle specialist Renaissance Villages.
H
aving witnessed parents leaving it too late to cope well with downsizing in their advancing years, Steve and June were keen to make their own move in good time, while they were still well able to manage the process themselves and deal with the inevitable accompanying upheaval. “We had never been to Horsham and found we really liked what we saw, plus we loved the show home. We investigated and found a great church nearby too – which is very important to us – and so, with all those things in place, we put down a deposit very quickly!”
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY The Bradleys chose a two/three bedroom home at Durrants Village and were very pleased with the size of not only the bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, but also the living areas. “Most of the houses we had seen with a similar number of rooms were small starter homes and, whilst we wanted to downsize, we definitely did not want to downgrade. The rooms are not only a good size but are all exquisitely fitted. The finish is of a very high standard, which is important to us.” Steve is still working parttime as a business consultant and says his new lifestyle lends itself well to those who still have a job. He says, “The fact that we no longer have to do the gardening and general maintenance is such a plus point. Now we can enjoy our leisure days knowing that
We simply love life at Durrants Village. We feel as though we are on holiday all the time!
mornings, wine tastings and parties – ideal for those living on their own, as well as couples, looking for company and friendship.
everything is taken care of. We simply love it. We feel as though we are on holiday all the time!” Durrants Village is a gated development and as the couple plan to go away for extended periods of time, knowing that they can simply ‘lock up and leave’ is something that greatly appealed to them when they first considered such a move. STUNNING CLUBHOUSE The recently opened clubhouse is a focus of social activities with fitness centre, pool, library, medical centre, games room, meeting room, bar and restaurant. A wide range of clubs and societies will be organised by the residents themselves such as art, table tennis, dancing, bridge, coffee
For more information:
01293 851 935
WWW.DURRANTSVILLAGE.CO.UK *Subject to conditions. Prices correct at time of going to press.
Steve and June Bradley: Whilst we wanted to downsize, we definitely did not want to downgrade.
PERFECTLY LOCATED Horsham, with its beautiful surroundings, historic buildings and modern facilities has also been a pleasant discovery for the couple – In a recent survey Horsham was voted the second happiest town in the UK. Steve and June have made new friends too – not only at
Durrants Village but also through their church, which has given them a new social life and one which is close by. “We would highly recommend Durrants Village for anybody who is looking to downsize and enjoy a good lifestyle. Taking that first step is often the most difficult and we would strongly advise not putting it off for years and years. We have seen too many people who have left it too late and then it becomes stressful and overwhelming. We are so glad we moved when we did.” The development enjoys an idyllic setting in 30 acres of parkland with beautifully maintained grounds and Faygate’s semi-rural location is ideal for those wishing to take walks in the nearby countryside, yet only a short drive away from all the facilities in the nearby pretty market town of Horsham. • www.durrantsvillage.co.uk
NEW SHOW HOMES OPEN SOON. PRICES STARTING FROM £249,950 PART EXCHANGE SCHEMES
COUNTRYSIDE LOCATION
PET FRIENDLY
Octagon is truly delighted to extend a personal invitation for you to view and admire the hand crafted perfection and unrivalled quality of Burford Place, an impressive new country house set within 5.5 acres of mature, secluded grounds. Located on the Surrey/Hampshire border, this elegant family home offers luxurious countryside living with 5 reception rooms including a cinema room, 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and a detached triple garage. The house is set back behind electric gates with a sweeping main drive and beautiful grounds ideal for a pony paddock and stables with additional storage barn, if desired. Pickets Hill is within 5 miles of the A3, to the west of Haslemere and to the south of Farnham. There is a choice of mainline train stations at Liphook, Haslemere, Bentley and Farnham, with regular services into London Waterloo taking approximately 1 hour.
Octagon has other fine properties for sale in North London and the Home Counties with prices currently ranging from £3.25m. Please see our website for details.
www.octagon.co.uk
Price £4.75m Burford Place, Picketts Hill, Hampshire GU35 8TD Open weekends 10am – 4pm or by appointment Octagon: 020 8481 7500 Strutt & Parker Farnham: 01252 821102
In The Country
18 london
For the latest on the property market
London new homes round-up – the best new builds on the market today
H
ousing, and especially the provision of new homes, seems to have topped the agenda following the announcement of Zac Goldsmith as the Conservative candidate for the next Mayor of London and Sadiq Khan as his Labour adversary. Goldsmith has proposed knocking down hundreds of council homes from the 1950s and 1960s which are now unfit for purpose and replacing them with low-rise communities of truly affordable new homes. “Consider the 3,500 50s’ and 60s’ estates, many of them poorly designed, many of them coming to the end of their lives. With the consent of the local community — and with guarantees that they won’t be priced out — we have
a chance to rebuild them and provide more homes, better communities, and more beautiful streetscapes,” he said. Khan announced recently: “I’m going to make the election in May a referendum on London’s housing crisis. There is one thing above all others that I’m determined to do for our city, and that is to make it more affordable to buy or rent a home of your own.” He has set out plans to establish a ‘Homes for Londoners’ team in City Hall, which would work with councils and developers to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing around the capital. The next few months should reveal more detail to the candidates’ plans. In the meantime, here are some of our favourite current new homes for sale in London:
@What_House
Royal Waterside in Park Royal (Redrow London) Part of the wider First Central scheme in Park Royal, more than 75% of the homes on this development have now been sold. A new show home has recently been launched to inspire buyers to the final 25% of homes for sale. Kerry Jenkins, sales director for Redrow Homes (Eastern), says: “We’ve had excellent feedback from those who’ve seized the chance to view the show apartment at the earliest opportunity. Apartment schemes, particularly those within easy reach of central London, remain a popular choice with both owner-occupiers and buy-to-let investors.” The high standard specification in the apartments includes integrated appliances to the kitchen; low-energy downlights to the hall, kitchen, wet areas and living/dining areas; flooring throughout; underfloor heating throughout; and fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom. Secure underground car parking is included with selected apartments. Price: From £355,000
Millbrook Park in Mill Hill (CALA Homes) Cambium in Southfields (Lendlease) This development of eco-friendly (Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4) 110 new homes comprises 55 townhouses and 55 apartments off Victoria Drive, moments from Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common and just a stroll from Southfields station, Putney and Wimbledon Village. The three-, four- and fivebedroom townhouses each come with a rear or rooftop garden and private parking, and the selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are centred around a newly created open green space
featuring a 200-year-old oak tree, believed to have been planted by celebrated landscape architect Capability Brown. Cambium sits within a catchment area of three Outstanding Ofsted schools: Our Lady Queen of Heaven Primary School, Ronald Ross Primary and Albemarle Primary School.
Price: From £440,000 Find out more at www.cambium.london; 020 3817 7000
The Star and Garter in Richmond-upon-Thames (London Square)
Since Millbrook Park was launched at the beginning of June, apartments in Arrandene House are almost sold out and the second phases of apartments in Zenith have been released ahead of schedule to satisfy interest. Chris Roads, sales and marketing director for CALA Homes North Homes Counties, says: “A number of the townhouses have also been reserved off-plan ahead of the show home opening at the end of October, so we’re encouraging people to register their interest for a priority preview of ‘The Belmont’ as soon as possible, as there are only three remaining.” These contemporary three- and four-bedroom terraced townhouses,
This recently launched development, just a stone’s throw from the gates to Richmond Park at the top of Richmond Hill, is a meticulous refurbishment of a Grade II listed landmark building, a former hotel and hospital for injured servicemen. The developer is retaining the imposing period features as it converts the building into luxuriously specified one-, two-, three- and four bedroom apartments. It has a magnificent setting, with an iconic view of the River Thames, painted by Turner and other artists, visible from the building’s restored gardens – the only view in England protected by an Act of Parliament.
located in the heart of the Mill Hill conservation area, are spread over three storeys and provide interior floorspace of over 2,200 sq ft. Millbrook Park Church of England Primary School, situated on the development, opened in September 2014. There are also other good state primary schools in the area including St Vincent’s RC Primary, Frith Manor Primary and Mill Hill County High. Grimsdell Mill Hill Preparatory School, Belmont Preparatory School, Mill Hill School and The Mount School are all within two miles. Price: £POA Find out more at www.cala.co.uk; 020 8343 4997
Private facilities – including a leisure suite with a pool, spa and treatment room, Harrods concierge, and town car – ensure an incomparable lifestyle for residents. The sales suite and show apartment are open daily, with viewings by appointment.
Price: From £1.3m Find out more at thestarandgarter.london; 0333 666 0102
Find out more at www.redrow.co.uk; 020 3538 5379
Harrow
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Aberfeldy Village in Poplar (Prime Place)
10 Soho Square in Soho (Oakmayne Bespoke) With just five luxury apartments on one of London’s most famous squares, this boutique development has transformed this 17th-century building back into a first-class residence after years of use as an office. Three properties have been sold but there is still an opportunity to purchase one two-bedroom apartment on the first floor or the duplex penthouse. As you might expect, there’s a concierge service available to residents, provided by Quintessentially, and each apartment has an impeccable
interior specification, making them perfect as a permanent home or a pied-à-terre. The lively West End is on the doorstep and when Crossrail arrives to the revamped Tottenham Court Road station in 2018, there will be a speedy link to Docklands and Heathrow just minutes from the front door.
Price: From £3.95m Find out more at www.10sohosquare.com; 020 7420 3050 (CBRE)
Enfield
More than 50% of the homes in the second phase have already been sold but there is still a good mix of properties left, including a single one-bedroom apartment. The properties are housed in an attractive seven-storey brick building with large floor-to-ceiling windows. In the heart of the building is a private landscaped courtyard where residents can relax and socialise. Sue Gresswell, sales and marketing director at Prime Place, says: “Poplar is a great place to live and perfectly placed for quick access to Canary Wharf, the City and West End. This, combined with high quality homes in an exciting new development, is proving a great magnet, especially for young professionals seeking their first home.” Canning Town, on the Jubilee line is a short walk away - or one stop by bus – taking just four minutes to Canary Wharf, six minutes to Stratford and 19 minutes to Bond Street. East India DLR is also within walking distance, with quick journey times to Canary Wharf (11 minutes), Tower Gateway (10 minutes) and Bank (12 minutes). Crossrail, which comes to Canary Wharf in 2018, will provide a direct link to Poplar DLR. Price: From £299,000 Find out more at www.av-e14.com; 020 7515 1491
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Barking & Dagenham
The Grove Villas in Highgate (Octagon) Octagon has won multiple WhatHouse? Awards for its opulent homes and these two new Georgian-style townhouses in one of Highgate’s most historic and prestigious roads look set to match these impressive standards. They are designed to the highest specification and finish, offering exceptional accommodation with a lift, five bedrooms, a cinema, wine cellar, gym and separate studio apartment, set out over more than
6,000 sq ft of accommodation across six storeys. Highgate Village sits on a London hilltop from which residents enjoy panoramic views over the city. The village, with its independent shops and café culture, is one of the most charming of London’s villages. Price: From £8.95m Find out more at www.octagon.co.uk; 020 8358 7900
Marine Wharf in Surrey Quays (Berkeley Homes) There are properties available on two phases here, Endeavour House and Mariners Place. Together, they provide a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, many of which offer balcony views over the development’s landscaped courtyards. These homes are perfectly positioned to enjoy the development’s many amenities, including a Tesco Express, linear park, an exclusive fitness and leisure suite, and the nearby River Thames. Residents also have the benefit of a
24-hour concierge service. Surrey Quays and Canada Water stations are within a mile of the development, offering an array of travel options to Docklands and central London. There are also Thames Clipper services from Greenwich Pier, and City Airport is just a quarter of an hour away.
Price: From £540,000 Find out more at http://whathou.se/ nYw2Pc; 020 8694 3100
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Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
Croydon
Only two properties remain to be snapped up at this gated development of family houses from Linden Homes, the 2014 WhatHouse? Sustainable Developer of the Year. You can still view the four-bedroom show house, a ‘Bishopsbourne’ style ranging across 1,665 sq ft with two en suite bedrooms, a family bathroom, a spacious living room which opens up through cantilevered doors into the turfed back garden and a fully fitted kitchen-diner with bay window. This property also has an integral garage. Carrie Edwards, from Claude Hooper Interiors, which designed the show home, says: “We gave the
house a theme and style that had a distinctive, smart London look – something that people could both recognise and aspire to.” Dylan May, land, sales and marketing director at Linden Homes South East, adds: “Beckenham is a fantastic location that enjoys a true village-like feel. With the new show home piquing a fresh surge of interest, we’re expecting the last homes to go quickly. Househunters should get in touch now and come and visit to avoid missing out.” Price: From £870,000 Find out more at www.lindenhomes.co.uk; 020 8712 3995
01252 356000 your property, our business
Ethical Leasehold Management – leading the way in leasehold property management Ethical Leasehold Management – leading the way in leasehold property management
Why choose ELM Group? • Higher sales & rental values achieved with our outstanding property management service • We advise & assist with RTM & self-enfranchisement setup for our clients • We offer bespoke leasehold property management to our clients • Advisory head-lease setup service for developers
• ELM Group are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Homes & Communities Agency • Two months FREE property management fees on a minimum fixed one year contract We are proud to present our partner for sales & lettings in the South East of England www.elmgroup.org.uk enquiries@elmgroup.org.uk
www.martinco.com
MERRYANDBRIGHT south TY REVIEW
LONDON PROPER
DECEMBER 2015
RENT S FOR SALE & EXCLUSIVE HOME
EDOCKio INTH oria’s secret stud Vict
DESIGNER LWICH DU -spec new-build
High
Christmas launch Selling property
londonpropertyreview.co.uk
WhatHouse Ad.indd 2
COUNTRY DREAMS See pages 135–150
son
in the festive sea
You can download every issue of South free of charge to read on your favourite device 01/12/2015 11:37
For the latest on the property market
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mortgages 23
Buy-to-let mortgage rates fall below 2% for the first time Landlords have been able to take advantage of some of the most competitive deals in history, says Nick Parkhouse
O
v er recent years, the cost of a new mortgage has fallen dramatically, with homebuyers having benefited from record low interest rates. Now, a leading buy-to-let mortgage lender has launched the first ever fixed-rate mortgage below 2%. Accord Mortgages, part of the Yorkshire Building Society, have become the first lender to offer a buy-to-let fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate at 1.84%, although you will need a 40% deposit (or 40% equity for remortgages). While there is a £2,495 fee plus an application fee of £130, it means that a landlord can fix a £150,000 interestonly mortgage at just £230 per month for two years - leading to a substantial monthly rental profit.
This Is Money reports that in comparison a first-time buyer choosing a deal at the same interest rate would typically have to pay both capital and interest and would face a monthly payment of £628. As the cost of residential mortgages has fallen, so have buy-to-let mortgage rates. According to financial analysts Moneyfacts, the lowest fixed rate available in 2011 was 3.25%. This fell to 2.99% in 2012 and 2.49% in 2013 and 2014. Rachel Springall of Moneyfacts, says: “Buy-to-let is booming, with rents high and interest rates low, there is great potential for perspective landlords to buy and let out a property as a form of income. Now that pensioners have more flexibility with their pension pot, the buy-to-let market will be an attractive area for
them to get a regular return on an investment in property. “Anyone looking into buy-to-let must seek out independent financial advice to be certain they get the most cost-effective deal for them.” While the new Accord Mortgages deal can slash your mortgage payments, experts have warned that you should compare the total cost of all deals before simply picking the lowest rate. Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.com, says: “Just as we encourage residential mortgage borrowers to compare the total cost of a new deal, so landlords must do the same. Fees on low-rate deals can be very high and so it can pay to choose a slightly higher mortgage rate and a lower arrangement fee, particularly on smaller mortgages.”
Why it could take first-time buyers over 100 years to save enough to get a mortgage The gap between average earnings and house prices is growing in some parts of England, discovers Nick Parkhouse
S
a ving enough money for a mortgage deposit is one of the main challenges facing first-time buyers in the UK today. Now, research has revealed that the price of homes has risen so much in some areas of the country that it would take the average first-time buyer over 100 years to save the deposit they need. Housesimple’s findings have revealed that certain would-be firsttime buyers are struggling to afford properties in their home towns. The research compared the average earnings in 20 English cities with the cost of an average-priced home to work out which areas were most affordable. The figures were then calculated on the basis that savers could put aside 10% of their salary every year for their deposit and that the maximum mortgage loan they could secure would be four-and-a-half times their gross annual salary. The research found that it was the south of England that was least affordable to the average firsttime buyer. With an average wage of £23,488 it would take a worker in Brighton over 104 years to save enough deposit to buy an average priced property in the city at £350,222. In Bristol an average worker on
£27,394 would have to save for 55 years to afford an average priced property (£274,280). The most affordable cities were, perhaps unsurprisingly, in the North of England. Workers in Hull would only need to save for 6.1 years to have enough for their mortgage deposit, as the average salary is £24,248, and average house prices are just £123,864. The average worker in Bradford on a salary of £24,743 would have to save for seven years to build up the deposit they would need to get a first-time buyer mortgage while it would take around 11 years in Sunderland and 14 years in Liverpool. Alex Gosling, CEO of online agent Housesimple, which carried out the research, says: “Affordability remains a major problem across the UK. Everyone knows that London is unaffordable for all but the rich or fortunate, but these figures highlight the plight of the average person looking to buy an average priced property in their local town or city. “The average wage earner is being priced out of their local property market, and without a serious influx of new properties coming onto the market, that’s likely to continue to remain the case.”
VERY EXCITING
Redrow homes have undeniable kerb appeal with distinctive, detailed architectural touches that set them apart from the competition. Very Inviting, Very Inspiring, Very Redrow.
NEW SHOWHOMES
COMING SOON TO
Hinckley and Tamworth We are pleased to announce that we will be opening the doors to our beautiful showhomes at Park View, Hinckley and Pennine Grange, Tamworth in July. Come along to Park View, Hinckley, today where the Marketing Suite is now open and we have a selection of 3 and 4 bedroom homes available from £224,995
Park View
Pennine Grange
Coventry Road, Hinckley LE10 0NU Visit: redrow.co.uk/parkview Call: 01455 698336
Pennine Way, Tamworth B77 4JF Visit: redrow.co.uk/pennine Call: 01827 902025
Image typical of Redrow homes. Price correct at time of going to press.
Eyes on the prize WhatHouse? honours the very best new homes in Britain
D
a vid Walliams was a very popular celebrity host at this year’s WhatHouse? Awards, as the great and the good
of the UK new homes industry descended on the Grosvenor House Hotel to take part in the biggest event in the UK housebuilding industry. Editorial director Rupert Bates
urged the industry to up its game in the recruitment of the workforce needed to tackle our severe shortage of new homes before introducing author, actor and charity
fundraiser Walliams, whose exuberant character won over the audience of some 1,700 people – the biggest event in its 34-year history. Prizes were handed out in 20 categories to new homes and housebuilders from across the UK
before the blue riband prize – the title of WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year – was announced. Read our supplement here to get the low-down on this year’s event and find out more about the WhatHouse? Awards at www.whathouse.com/awards.
A collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom homes across London with flexible buying options available.
PRICES FROM
£255,000 DISCOVER MORE AT NETWORKLIVING.CO.UK Speak to Sales Advisor regarding flexible buying options. Terms and Conditions apply. Prices are correct at time of going to press.
TRIPLE AWARD WINNERS 2014 Millgate are extremely proud to once again be associated with the WhatHouse? Awards this year.
Sundridge Park set in 275 acres of Kentish parkland, successfully launched this year.
www.millgatehomes.co.uk
Sundridge_Park_WH_265x340_Ad_AWK.indd 1
30/10/2015 15:54
For the latest on the property market
@What_House
whathouse? awards 27
“And the winners are...”
WHATHOUSE? HOUSEBUILDER OF THE YEAR
BEST STARTER HOME
BEST RENOVATION
Hill
Gold: Thames Valley Housing Association, Russell Square, Horley, Surrey Silver: Places for People, Roman Fields, Twechar, East Dunbartonshire Bronze: Hill, 243 Ealing Road, Alperton, London HA0 Bronze: Notting Hill Housing, Camberwell Fields, Camberwell, London SE5
Gold: City & Country, King Edward VII Estate, Midhurst, West Sussex Gold: City & Country, The General, Bristol Silver: PH Property Holdings, Hulme Hall, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire Bronze: Comer Homes, Royal Connaught Park, Bushey, Hertfordshire
BEST LARGE HOUSEBUILDER – SPONSORED BY ZOOPLA PROPERTY GROUP
Gold: Redrow Silver: Berkeley Bronze: Barratt Developments Bronze: CALA
BEST MEDIUM HOUSEBUILDER
– SPONSORED BY ROCA Gold: Hill Silver: City & Country Group Bronze: Churchill Retirement Living Bronze: Weston Homes
BEST SMALL HOUSEBUILDER – SPONSORED BY ALEXANDER JAMES GROUP
Gold: London Square Silver: Spitfire Bespoke Homes Bronze: Regal Homes Bronze: Millwood Designer Homes
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
– SPONSORED BY BRITISH GYPSUM Gold: Barratt Developments Silver: Linden Homes Bronze: Hill
HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY SHOW HOUSE Gold: L&Q Silver: A2Dominion Silver: North Wales Housing Bronze: Network Housing Group
– SPONSORED BY ALDERMORE
BEST HOUSE
– SPONSORED BY NHBC Gold: Q Developments, The Longfords, Teddington, London TW11 Silver: Kilpark Properties, Bronlei Woods, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey Bronze: Habitat First Group, The Water Garden, Lower Mill Estate, Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire
BEST APARTMENT SCHEME
– SPONSORED BY WARWICK ESTATES Gold: St James, Riverlight, Nine Elms, London SW8 Silver: London Square, London Square Putney, London SW15 Silver: Oakmayne Bespoke, 10 Soho Square, London W1 Bronze: Martins Properties (Chelsea), 195-197 King’s Road, London SW3
BEST LUXURY HOUSE – SPONSORED BY LAUFEN
Gold: Q Developments, Laurel Grove, Kingston upon Thames, London KT2 Silver: Searchfield Homes, Waverley House, Farnham, Surrey Bronze: CALA Homes, Glenthorne, Bentley Priory, Stanmore, London HA7 Bronze: Antler Homes, Archdale Manor, Cheam, Surrey
– SPONSORED BY ZOOPLA PROPERTY GROUP
BEST DEVELOPMENT
– SPONSORED BY SPICERHAART & NEW HOMES Gold: Hill/Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association, The Scene, Walthamstow, London E17 Silver: Habitat First Group, Lower Mill Estate, Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire Bronze: Hopkins Homes, St Michael’s Place Bronze: Bure Place, Aylsham, Norfolk and Freeman Homes, The Avenue, Ross-onWye, Herefordshire
BEST PARTNERSHIP SCHEME
– SPONSORED BY COLLYER BRISTOW Gold: Cavanna Homes/Clinton Devon Estate, Horizon, Budleigh Salterton, Devon Silver: Hill/Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association/Waltham Forest Council, The Scene, Walthamstow, London E17 Bronze: Lovell/Stroud District Council, The Paddocks and Old Common Mews, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire Bronze: City & Country/Millgate Homes/ CALA Homes, King Edward VII Estate, Midhurst, West Sussex
BEST LUXURY DEVELOPMENT – SPONSORED BY NOLTE KITCHENS Gold: London Square, London Square Fulham, London SW6
Silver: Millgate Homes, Sundridge Park, Bromley, London BR1 Bronze: Ultrabox, The Woods, Kings Wood, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
– SPONSORED BY BEKO Gold: Hadley Mace, Greenwich Square, London SE10 Silver: Inland Homes, Drayton Garden Village, West Drayton, London UB7 Bronze: Hyde New Homes, The Barrows, Brighton
BEST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
– SPONSORED BY GREEN LIGHTING Gold: Igloo, Four Hundred Caledonian Road, London N1 Silver: Hill/Cambridge City Council, Virido Concept Houses, Trumpington, Cambridgeshire Bronze: Radian, Exhibition Mews, Whitehill & Bordon, Hampshire
BEST RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT
– SPONSORED BY LOCAL WORLD Gold: BEN, Lynwood Village, Sunninghill, Berkshire Silver: Renaissance Villages/Helical Bar, Durrants Village, Faygate, West Sussex Bronze: Adlington, Adlington House, Portishead, Somerset
BEST BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT – SPONSORED
BY ZOOPLA PROPERTY GROUP
Gold: Hill, The Scene, Walthamstow, London E17 Silver: Catalyst by Design, Portobello Square, London W10 Silver: Berkeley Homes, Holborough
Lakes, Snodland, Kent Bronze: Hyde New Homes, One Hove Park, Hove, East Sussex
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN
– SPONSORED BY NICHOLLS & CLARKE GROUP Gold: Newcourt Residential, Alderbrook House, Weybridge, Surrey Silver: CALA Homes, Hurlingham House, Ascot, Berkshire Bronze: Berkeley Homes, One Tower Bridge, London SE1
BEST EXTERIOR DESIGN – SPONSORED BY COINS
Gold: Regal Homes, Banyan Wharf, London N1 Silver: Bernard Construction, The Warren Apartments, Tulse Hill, London SE27 Bronze: Octagon, The Grove Villas, Highgate, London N6
BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN –
SPONSORED BY TCL
Gold: Beechcroft Developments, Orchard Gardens, Storrington, West Sussex Silver: Countryside, St Irvyne’s, Wickhurst Green, Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex Bronze: Redrow Homes, Lucas Green, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancashire
Meridian Waterside, Southampton
Inland Homes. Bringing land to life.
Inland Homes are currently regenerating areas across the South providing quality homes with an emphasis on design and sustainability. Visit our fabulous range of Showhomes to discover more.
The Comptons,Wooburn Green
St Johns, Chelmsford
DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE: Carter’s Quay, Poole 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses
COMING SOON:
St John’s, Chelmsford 2 & 4 bedroom houses
Meridian Waterside, Southampton 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses
The Comptons, Wooburn Green 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses Park House, Loudwater Studio & 1 bedroom apartments
Alexandra Gardens, Iver
Alexandra Gardens, Iver 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses
Boreham, Essex 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses Basingstoke, Hampshire Collection of apartments
Carter’s Quay, Poole
For further details call 01494 762 450 or email sales@inlandhomes.co.uk
Showhome open at this development
Please check website for current availability. Computer generated illustrations are indicative only and subject to change.
www.inlandhomes.co.uk
Award winning? Think Berkeley.
Desirable locations, bespoke design, fantastic service and a real sense of community. These are the hallmarks of a Berkeley development. They are also some of the reasons behind us being recognised in this years prestigious Whathouse? Awards.
Find out for yourself. Over 60 beautiful developments across the South of England. Computer generated image depicts 190 Strand, London WC2.
www.berkeleygroup.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies
30 whathouse? awards
Find a great mortage deal at whathouse.com/mortgages
Eighth wonder Having already won seven WhatHouse? Awards at this year’s event, Essex-based Hill was then crowned Housebuilder of the Year THE FULL LIST OF HILL’S WHATHOUSE? AWARDS 2015 WINS: • Housebuilder of the Year (Gold). • Medium Housebuilder of the Year (Gold). • Best Development (Gold) for The Scene. • Best Brownfield Development (Gold) for The Scene. • Best Partnership Scheme (Silver) for The Scene.
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i ll, one of the top 20 housebuilders in the UK by volume, swept the boards at the WhatHouse? Awards this year, its Housebuilder of the Year title completely justified by winning in seven other categories at the Grosvenor House Hotel event. The company won awards for three individual developments Virido Concept House in Cambridge, The Scene in Walthamstow and 243 Ealing Road – as well as Best Medium Housebuilder Gold and Sustainable Developer of the Year Bronze. The title comes as Hill looks ahead to another year of growth in 2016, with several major new projects in the pipeline across London and the South East. In November, Hill received planning approval for the first phase of 240 residential properties at North West Cambridge, a significant joint venture with the University of Cambridge that will see up to 3,000 homes built as part of a mixed-use masterplan.
Hill already has a major presence in Cambridge and is currently on site at Virido, a development of 208 ecohomes at Great Kneighton, a new community consisting of 2,300 homes in the south of the city. In Oxford, Hill is partnering with Grosvenor Developments and Oxford City Council to deliver the first phase of 237 new homes at Barton Park. This major urban extension will eventually create up to 800 new homes in a city where demand for new homes far outstrips supply. Hill will also be working on a series of landmark residential projects across London in 2016. The company is planning to grow its operations and recruit new staff in anticipation of further planned growth over the next five year period. Andy Hill, chief executive at Hill, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to be awarded the title of Housebuilder of the Year – it’s a huge endorsement of the great work that all the team at Hill have done over the past year. We’re particularly proud
of our developments The Scene, in Walthamstow, and the Virido Concept House in Cambridge, both of which won multiple awards. “It’s great to be recognised by WhatHouse? as a leading housebuilder, and a trusted provider of distinctive, quality homes. Our homes are increasingly known for high quality design and functionality, as well as brilliant sustainability features; Hill’s success at the awards is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of both our design and onsite teams. “2015 has been a great year for Hill, but we also have some fantastic developments in the pipeline. These include major schemes in growth centres like London, Cambridge and Oxford, all of which need many more new homes. As our business grows, we are also increasingly looking at larger and more challenging projects across London and the South East – it is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of Hill.” Find out more at www.whathouse.com/ awards/hill
• Best Sustainable Development (Silver) for Virido Concept Houses. • Sustainable Developer of the Year (Bronze). • Best Starter Home Scheme (Bronze) for 243 Ealing Road.
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whathouse? awards 31
ABOUT HILL’S WHATHOUSE? AWARD-WINNING DEVELOPMENTS
THE SCENE Hill’s ground-breaking development in Walthamstow, The Scene, a partnership with Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association and Waltham Forest Council, won Gold for Best Development, Gold for Best Brownfield Development and a Silver award for Best Partnership Scheme. The mixed-use project includes a new cinema and restaurants alongside new homes, helping to provide an anchor for the wider regeneration of Walthamstow. The WhatHouse? Awards judges said: “The coexistence of housing above a cinema and restaurants brought numerous challenges to the design team in terms of structure, acoustic separation, and performance, which all seem to have been successfully addressed within a framework of an ordered elevational treatment, well articulated. Detailing of glazed
brickwork, balconies and fenestration is clean and precise and the choice of materials well thought through. The scheme presents an excellent presence to the street frontages and the judges particularly liked the waved form delineating each of the apartment blocks. Internally, detailing is simple, solid and robust. Yet the high specification flooring, kitchen
units, and sanitaryware give an upmarket touch. Apartment layouts are straightforward and uncluttered. The whole scheme has a simplicity and order that defies its complexity. It provides immeasurable benefits to the area, both architecturally and socially. The partnership is to be congratulated on creating such an iconic development.”
Hill also received the Silver award for Best Sustainable Development of the Year for the Virido Concept House. The Concept House, which hosts the Rayner family, has been used to test sustainable technologies on efficiency and functionality. The best of the technologies used within the Concept House will be incorporated into Hill’s landmark Virido development comprising 208 homes on Cambridge’s Southern fringe.
THE SCENE
The WhatHouse? Awards judges said: “Designed to Lifetime Homes standards, the three-storey, fourbedroom houses are constructed using a prefabricated timber frame and have an impressive build quality with an exterior design that escapes the norm. Biodiverse green roofs with PV solar panels that are specified to generate more than 100% of regulated primary energy are hidden behind parapets. Internally, the homes are light-filled and apparently spacious with ceiling heights of 2.7m for better daylighting and cross ventilation. Importantly, there is generous storage space. Heating is by gas condensing boiler while MVHR maintains air quality. The commitment to monitoring with a real family, and the care and enthusiasm with which this is being undertaken, is impressive and reassuring.”
243 EALING ROAD Hill’s 243 Ealing Road scheme, a partnership with Network Living, also received praise from judges and won a Bronze for Best Starter Home Scheme. The development, which provides 441 apartments alongside the Grand Union Canal in Alperton, has great connections to London and has proved popular with young professionals investing in their first home. The WhatHouse? Awards judges said: “The seven colourful buildings here range from six to 14 storeys and there is an impressive spread of tenures on offer, including affordable rent, private sale, shared ownership and Rent to Save. This development has proved very accessible for first-time buyers, with a deposit of just £5,500 needed to purchase a 40% share of a one-bedroom apartment (full price £275,000). One of the most impressive aspects of this development is the sense of tranquillity it retains, just a
couple of hundred yards from a busy high street. 243 Ealing Road faces on to the Grand Union Canal, and each property boasts some form of outdoor space, allowing residents to enjoy a peaceful lifestyle well within reach of central London. There will also be eight new communal public spaces across the development, with Union Square the centrepiece. With the addition of commercial units, Zipcar facilities, 24-hour CCTV surveillance and estate management services, 243 Ealing Road is a visually impressive, well-thought-out and affordable development for firsttime buyers.”
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PADSTOW CORNWALL From £237,950
01626 369300
www.poltairhomes.com 10 Year Warranty
Prices correct at time of going to press, but subject to review at any time.
PEA BANDING: B
WhatHouse?AWARDS GOLD WINNERS 2015
BEST HOUSE
BEST LUXURY HOUSE
THE LONGFORDS
TEDDINGTON
LAUREL GROVE A STUNNING NEW BUILD HOME ON THE PRIVATE COOMBE HILL ESTATE £8.95M • 11,000 SQ FT • 6 BEDROOMS • BESPOKE DAVID LINLEY KITCHEN
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• 13m SWIMMING POOL & SPA COMPLEX • SELF CONTAINED STAFF APARTMENT
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SHOW HOUSE AVAILABLE TO VIEW NOW
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Bespoke homes
where character comes as standard
Our bespoke approach to housebuilding enables us to create homes of distinction in prime locations with an outstanding level of customer service. From traditional family homes to characterful barn conversions or avant-garde townhouses, you'll see this ethos in all of our superb developments.
www.spitfirepg.co.uk
Developing in these prime locations • • • •
Berkshire: Ascot Birmingham: Harborne Buckinghamshire: Gerrard's Cross Gloucestershire: Broadway, Cheltenham, Chipping Campden, Fairford, Stow-on-the-Wold • Oxfordshire: Henley on Thames • Warwickshire: Shottery, Welford-on-Avon • West Midlands: Knowle
Best Retirement Development 2015 Sunninghill | Ascot | Berkshire
Living made easy Lynwood Village is a brand new, exclusive retirement community for the over 65s, set in one of the most desirable locations in Berkshire.
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Beautiful, spacious one and two bedroom apartments and cottages, all with outside space
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Our superb facilities include a swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, fitness centre, therapy suite, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, hair salon, spa, village shop, carpet bowls and croquet lawn
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Designed to make life easier for our residents by minimising the challenges of daily living, allowing everyone who lives here to relax and enjoy their later years
We welcome you to come along and find out all that Lynwood Village has to offer. To arrange a visit:
Call: 01344 874250 Visit: lynwoodvillage.co.uk Email: sales@lynwoodvillage.co.uk
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whathouse? awards 35
What the winners say...
Reaction from some of this year’s WhatHouse? Awards winners for our dedicated and passionate family-run business. Our managing director and deputy managing director are proud to live in their own Millwood Designer homes – convincing testimony of our total commitment to the Millwood product. “We currently have six sites underway across the South East and we are dedicated to combining all that is best in local architecture with the very latest in contemporary living.”
at Hill have carried out over the previous years as we have grown the business into what it is today. We are particularly proud of our development at The Scene, in Walthamstow, which won multiple awards. “It’s fantastic to be recognised by WhatHouse? as the country’s top housebuilder in 2015, as we fulfil our own ambitions of becoming the most trusted provider of distinctive, quality homes. Our homes are increasingly known for highquality design and functionality, as well as embracing innovative sustainable features. Hill’s success at the Awards is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of all our staff, together with the whole of our supply chain.
REDROW Best Large Housebuilder
CAVANNA HOMES Best Partnership Scheme
Chief executive John Tutte: “It’s fantastic to win the Best Large Housebuilder award once, but extra special to win it for a second year on the run. We’re striving to be the best in an industry with very tough competition. Our philosophy is to build the homes our customer really want to live in, deliver exceptional customer service, create communities that will stand the test of time, and ensure our business is a sustainable one. Our aim to be the homebuilder of choice for our customers is strengthened by independent awards such as this.”
Sales manager Lynn Worley: “These are beautiful homes in a stunning location and it is very rewarding for all of the project partners involved to have been recognised at the very highest level nationally for this important scheme.”
CITY & COUNTRY GROUP Best Renovation
NEWCOURT RESIDENTIAL Best Interior Design
BERKELEY HOMES (EASTERN COUNTIES) Best Brownfield Development
Lisa-Marie Mosca, lead interior designer: “We are thrilled our work at Alderbrook House has been recognised by the judges at What House? This is a really prestigious accolade and is credit to the hard work and dedicated time we have spent growing our interior design offering. These efforts include recruiting two new members to our team to accommodate our plans to expand.”
Peter Smith, managing director: “We are delighted to accept the WhatHouse? Award in recognition of the success of our Holborough Lakes development in Kent. With the vision and expertise of our staff we have been able to turn it into a thriving lakeside community of homes supported by a robust infrastructure of amenities and transport links. Residents even benefit from a diving school and watersports centre on their doorstep, which really sets Holborough Lakes apart from other new build developments on the market.“
LOVELL Best Partnership Scheme
BERKELEY HOMES (SOUTH EAST LONDON) Best Interior Design Jacob Suillivan, head of sales and marketing: “We are very pleased to have won a WhatHouse? Award for interior design at our flagship riverside development, One Tower Bridge. We are extremely proud of the quality of interiors on this development, and this award emphasises our commitment to superior design.”
OAKMAYNE BESPOKE Best Apartment Scheme
MILLWOOD DESIGNER HOMES Best Small Housebuilder Philip Brown, sales director: “We are delighted to receive this excellent recognition
Martin Lent, CEO of SCM, the development manager for Oakmayne Bespoke: “We are proud and delighted that 10 Soho Square has been awarded Silver at the WhatHouse? Awards 2015. This is the third development by Oakmayne Bespoke to win one of these prestigious awards in recent years; setting them among some of the finest properties in the UK. We are hoping that our newly launched scheme, The Fitzbourne, will have the same success at the 2016 WhatHouse? Awards.”
HILL Housebuilder of the Year Andy Hill, chief executive: “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded the title of Housebuilder of the Year – it’s a huge endorsement of the great work all the team
Justine Elliott, national sales director: “We’re incredibly proud of this scheme which was developed and delivered in close partnership with Stroud District Council. This new community-based development of open market and affordable homes, built and designed to a very high standard in a sensitively landscaped setting, has brought fresh energy and life to this part of Minchinhampton. To see the industry experts recognise the partnership’s achievements with a WhatHouse? Award really is the icing on the cake.”
Helen Moore, managing director: “We’re overjoyed to become the first housebuilder to win two separate Gold awards [in the same year] in the Best Renovation category. City & Country is the leading restoration expert in the UK and we are therefore passionate about breathing new life into often rundown and redundant historic buildings; these awards recognise all of the painstaking work and effort that our team has carefully delivered to bring both King Edward VII Estate and The General back into long term and beneficial use. Achieving the Silver award for Medium Housebuilder of the Year is also a fantastic achievement – meaning that City & Country has achieved either Gold or Silver status for seven consecutive years!”
NOTTING HILL HOUSING Best Starter Home Scheme
LINDEN HOMES Sustainable Developer of the Year
Katie Bond, director of Notting Hill Sales: “This award is not only fantastic recognition for us as one of London’s leading housing providers but also a great reward for the Notting Hill Sales division, as a team of passionate individuals. Camberwell Fields has been a very successful project for us to date. It’s a perfect example of the way Notting Hill Housing provides many Londoners with great-quality homes and an easier route to homeownership.”
Andrew Richards, group managing director: “It’s a huge achievement to have been ranked highly by awards judges for our sustainable expertise for the second time. It shows we’re very much on the right track and our efforts and results being recognised by industry experts. We want to build on these accolades and create even more homes that are even more sustainable, for our customers and communities.”
ISLAND
Y U B O T P L E H ! AVAILABLE
ISLAND 1 NEWGATE, CROYDON, SURREY CR0 2FB
Spectacular London views minus the London prices. A gated development of stylish 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. • Fantastic Investment opportunities • Stunning 17th floor terraced views • 24 hour concierge • 24 hour gym • Underground parking* • Outside space with every apartment • Show homes available to view
Contact haart Croydon 020 8680 0283 www.island-croydon.co.uk *Subject to availability
B E AU T I F U L D E S I G N , E XC LU S I V E LO C AT I O N S .
ENQUIRIES: +44 (0)20 7205 2652 SALES@NEWCOURT.CO.UK WWW.NEWCOURT.CO.UK
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NEWCOURT RESIDENTIAL IS AN AWARDWINNING DEVELOPER OF LUXURY HOMES IN OUTSTANDING LOCATIONS ACROSS LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST.
Make your move in 2016 2, 3 and 4 bedroom contemporary homes built to a high specification near Plymouth, South Devon
Current prices from
£229,995* *as of 02.11.15
View from ‘The Clipper’ properties
The Boatyard, The Old Wharf Oreston, Plymouth PL9 7NP
01752 408091
theboatyard@cavannahomes.co.uk Open Thursday to Monday, 10am–5pm
LET US HELP YOU TO SELL
Move Assist available. Please ask for details.
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A new development of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes in Dartington Prices from £219,000* at time of print *as of 02.11.15
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whathouse? awards 39
New show home for Padstow development Beat the second-home stamp duty levy at Poltair’s Trecerus Farm
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rnish developer Poltair o Homes recently opened its eagerly awaited show home at Trecerus Farm in Padstow – and with the Chancellor announcing a 3% extra stamp duty levy on second homes from April 2016, there’s no time like the present for considering a purchase to save a small fortune. The new show home at Trecerus Farm is a three-bedroom house, with en-suite to the master bedroom and an open-plan living/dining area. The professionally interior designed property provides the ideal opportunity to gain a real appreciation of what is being created on this prestigious development of two-, three- and fourbedroom homes. All the properties come with a highquality specification which includes
integrated appliances and quartz worktops to the kitchen and flooring throughout Three properties have been sold off-plan at the development as the show home starts to impress visitors to the site, situated on the edge of the historic fishing port of Padstow. Conveniently located for a host of resorts along the north Cornish coastline, Trecerus Farm boasts fast and easy access to the rest of Cornwall and beyond, via the A30. Newquay Airport is approximately 14 miles away, providing a speedy link to London, Manchester and Belfast as well as other major cities in the UK and Europe. Padstow is world renowned for its abundance of critically acclaimed restaurants, a mixture of artisan shops and its dramatic rugged coastlines. It offers a plethora of leisure activities,
including sailing, surfing, kite surfing, golf and walking along the famous Camel Trail as it passes through the area. The town is also home to a number of celebrations, including the Obby Oss May Day celebration, which has its roots in Pagan times. The superb The Pembroke fromFestival, which is now annual Christmas Richstone Properties considered to be one of the best in the UK, provides a platform to showcase locally created Cornish fare and crafts. The properties at Trecerus Farm have a light and airy feel and offer a great opportunity to purchase a new home. Prices range from £237,950 to £399,950. The new show home is open Thursday to Monday from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Find out more at www.poltairhomes.com; 01626 369300
At the double
From left: Crown Wood, Midhurst; Inside the townhouses at Sundridge Park, Bromley
Luxury housebuilder Millgate wins two WhatHouse? Awards for its high-end homes
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a ny housebuilders would be happy with one WhatHouse? Award a year, but for 2015, Millgate achieved a brace of wins for two of its luxury developments. The company was awarded Silver for Best Luxury Development at Sundridge Park, Bromley and a Bronze for its joint venture with City & Country Group and CALA Homes at the King Edward VII Estate in Midhurst, West Sussex, where its executive homes are being constructed at Crown Wood. Jonathan Cranley, sales and
marketing director for Millgate, says: “We are delighted to receive this excellent recognition for our highly talented and hardworking team. Prime residential locations, exciting elevation treatments, extensive mature landscaping and an exemplary quality of finish all highlight the difference that is a Millgate home. Sundridge Park and Crown Wood are both prime examples of this – it is no wonder that both are selling so well.” Priced from £695,000, there’s a mix of 41 apartments, townhouses and detached homes at Sundridge Park in one of the London Borough of
Bromley’s most sought-after residential areas. Expect spacious rooms and a no-compromise specification, including, in the townhouses, some very cosy Eco smart fireplaces, modern appliances that nevertheless prove that a traditional homely fire can still be very much a part of the modern living space. Cranley says: “The Eco smart fireplaces add extravagant style to any room which is why five-star hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, also boast The Pembroke fromthis striking feature. Richstone Properties At Sundridge Park, the Eco smart fireplaces not only do a splendid job
of adding luxury but also in lighting up the drawing rooms and creating a timeless and traditional feel, reminiscent of the development’s rich history.” Situated in the 165-acre King Edward VII Estate in the magnificent South Downs National Park, Crown Wood is a collection of eight elegant detached homes situated on a private road. These substantial five-bedroom houses match traditional exterior design with a high level of modern interior fittings and technology. Prices here start at £1.725m. Says Cranley: “The development
is situated in secluded woodland environment, which has created a tranquil oasis for the homes. These homes have proved particularly popular with families looking for a safe and secure environment for their children to grow up in – particularly as there are no busy roads within close proximity. ” Learn more about what the WhatHouse? judges said about Millgate’s winning homes at www. whathouse.com/awards/millgate/ Find out more at www.millgatehomes.co.uk
40 whathouse? awards
This must be the Place
Make a Royal appointment to see the latest phase of award-winning Stanmore Place
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new collection of 33 contemporary homes have been unveiled at Royal Crescent, the crowning glory of St Edward’s lakeside development Stanmore Place, north London, which won Best Landscape Design Gold at the WhatHouse? Awards 2014. The release of these one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments marks a new milestone in the development of Royal Crescent, which will boast 103 modern homes including penthouses spread across an architecturally striking building, overlooking manicured gardens and a stunning water feature. Royal Crescent forms part of Stanmore Place, an award-winning new community which will comprise 798 new homes when complete, located around a landscaped courtyard seamlessly blending in with its leafy surroundings. Homes range in size from 522 sq ft to over 1,595 sq ft and boast generously sized, open-plan living areas and balconies or terraces, with views across a serene water fountain and a crest-shaped courtyard. Residents at Stanmore Place can also take advantage of a car share club and Business and Innovation Centre.
Tim Pettman, sales director for St Edward, says: “Stanmore Place has already become one of the most desirable addresses in the area and we are excited to offer new homes for those looking to build their future in this part of London. We’ve ensured that the development caters to all lifestyles, with a residents’ gym, playground for children, green spaces and a 24hour concierge. We look forward to welcoming Stanmore Place’s newest residents to this thriving community.” The wider Stanmore and Bushey area surrounding Stanmore Place creates a village ambience with antique shops, cafes and restaurants nestled along The Broadway. Additionally, nearby Sainsbury’s superstore and Brent Cross Shopping Centre cater to residents’ practical retail needs. Located within easy walking distance of Canons Park underground station on the Jubilee Line, residents can reach Bond Street in less than 30 minutes. Access to the M1 and M25 allows for easy transit to Heathrow and Luton airports. Prices for a two-bedroom apartment start from £457,500. Find out more at www.stanmoreplace.co.uk; 020 3740 2940
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
ELEGANCE & ARTISTRY CR AF TED RESIDENCES IN HISTORIC SMITHFIELD, EC1 PRICES FROM £815,000* 020 7726 8995 | BARTSSQUARE.COM
*Price correct at time of going to press. Computer generated image of Barts Square.
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A life of luxury
kent 43
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White Friars, Sandwich - £1.25m
With Bright & Bright
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his month, Nigel Colebrook from Bright & Bright in Deal takes a look at three soughtafter properties on the market along the Kent coast.
White Friars is a fascinating Grade II listed home in the heart of the Sandwich conservation area and one of the most important properties in the town. It was built in the 16th century with materials from the former Carmelite Whitefriars monastery, which stood in the grounds. Boasting many period features including fine oak panelling, magnificent timbers, leaded lights and open fireplaces, White Friars enjoys a walled garden of around half an acre with matures trees and shrubs as well as garage and parking Colebrook comments: “With seven bedrooms, three receptions and four bathrooms, the house could be modernised to accommodate generational family living or run as a small business, subject to planning.”
Find out more at www.brightandbright.co.uk; 01304 374071
Berkeley, St Margaret’s Bay - £895,000
Marsh House, Sandwich Bay - £985,000
Commanding fine views over the English Channel to France, Berkeley is within walking distance of the beach and St Margaret’s village centre. The living accommodation on the ground floor has been imaginatively altered to appeal to family life and entertaining, including a doubleaspect library and sitting room. The upper two floors are devoted to the three bedrooms and luxury bathrooms and balconies overlooking the bay. The master bedroom on the top floor has French doors opening onto a charming open deck area. There is a double garage, bike store and summerhouse within the grounds, which have paved terraces and lawns bound by mature shrubs.
This unique Mediterranean-style home situated in a quiet location on the edge of the private Sandwich Bay estate was built in the mid-20th century. It has been remodelled by the current owners to offer three spacious bedrooms to the ground floor along with a family room and the master bedroom and four reception rooms to the first floor to make the most of the sea vista. Stairs lead up from this floor to a stunning observatory with 360° countryside and panoramic views. Colebrook comments: “Marsh House has a very special location and is the ideal golfer’s retreat as it’s within a few hundred yards of three championship golf links, including Royal St George’s, where the Open is played every seven to eight years.”
Move to a Prime location New apartments in Sevenoaks about to be released
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outique developer Prime Place is about to launch a new collection of apartments located in the heart of Sevenoaks. These new homes are within minutes of the station and close to the town centre, perfect for local workers and commuters into London. Sue Gresswell, sales and marketing director at Prime Place, says of these new one- and two-bedroom properties: “Sevenoaks has long been a hotspot for commuters seeking to live in a vibrant town in the countryside with quick access to London. Demand for high-quality homes in the town is very strong and we are delighted to offer this fantastic collection of new apartments. “Prime Place Sevenoaks not only benefits from an outstanding location, but provides a sophisticated contemporary lifestyle with highspecification interiors, a dedicated concierge service, business suite and private parking.” The development is converting a former office building, Tubs Hill House, into a thoroughly modern residential location, with a new façade of brickwork, cladding and extensive glazing to complement the bright and
modern interiors and a hotel-style foyer. The buildings are arranged around a central, spilt-level, landscaped courtyard and many of the apartments will have Juliet balconies to provide private outdoor space. Residents on the upper levels will enjoy longdistance views to the undulations of the North Downs. The interior specification provides a city-inspired feel, with timber-effect flooring, carpet, recessed downlighters in the main living areas, fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom, designer kitchens with integrated appliances, and Roca suites and full-height tiling to bathrooms and en suites. Prices at this development are expected to start from around £299,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. Sevenoaks is a desirable place to seek out a new home, a friendly, bustling town that is close to beautiful countryside and served by good transport links, including a fast rail route to London. The town’s shopping streets feature a lively mix of high street names, small independent stores, eateries and restaurants, as well as a
thriving theatre, all of which are within easy walking distance of the development. Up to seven trains an hour serve Sevenoaks station at peak times, with journey times of just 26 minutes to London Bridge, 28 minutes to
Cannon Street and 31 minutes to Charing Cross. By car, Junction 5 of the M25 is just a couple of miles from Prime Place, Gatwick Airport is less than half an hour away and Ebbsfleet International Station can
be reached in around 30 minutes, for Eurostar services and High Speed trains to Stratford International and St Pancras. Find out more at www.primeplace.co.uk; 01732 280801 (Hamptons International)
BUY OFF PLAN, ENJOY FIRST CHOICE COME TO CALA NOW Computer generated image - The Gloucester
4 BEDROOM DETACHED HOMES FROM £460,000 Available with up to 100% part exchange* to help make your dream move happen
Call to register your interest or we would be delighted to welcome you to the development.
WYCHBURY FIELDS, HAGLEY, DY9 9LG
CALL 01562 569 771 CALA.CO.UK
WHAUG *CALA will obtain 2 independent valuations based on achieving a sale in a 4-6 week period, part exchange considered subject to CALA’s purchasing criteria, terms and conditions. Visit cala.co.uk/terms for full terms and conditions and purchasing criteria. Up to 100% part exchange and other incentives available on selected plots, subject to terms and conditions and not in conjunction with each other or any other offer.
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LUXURY LIVING FOR THE OVER 55S NEAR BATH A collection of fourteen, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2 & 3 bedroom cottages located in the beautiful heritage village of Norton St Philip, 6 miles south of Bath. Designed and finished exclusively for the over 55s and positioned in a unique setting and part of a multi-award winning development.
OPEN TO VIEW FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 10 A M - 4 PM Apartments priced from £250,000 - £347,500
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Houses priced from £500,000 - £539,500
t: 0203 468 4933 | e: cgleed@savills.com For more information please visit www.churchview-nsp.co.uk
Prices correct at time of going to print
Winner
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Rural living
Brambridge House, Eastleigh – £425,000
with Austin & Wyatt
Find out more at www.austinwyatt.co.uk; 01489 450164 (Southampton) or 023 8124 7023 (Lyndhurst)
Martin’s Farm, Bartley – £875,000
The picturesque Martin’s Farm thatched cottage dates back to 1550s and has a wealth of character throughout, with exposed beams and back-to-back inglenook fireplaces dividing the sitting and dining rooms. Upstairs there are two good-sized bedrooms and a contemporary family bathroom with a roll-top bath and separate shower stall. The master bedroom enjoys a spacious en suite bathroom.
Set within extensive grounds bounded by fencing and mature hedgerows, the property is perfect for the equestrian enthusiast with three paddocks, a 120ft x 100ft manège, four stables, an oak barn, hay store, tack room and extensive gravelled yard. The double garage has planning consent for an annexe. For those looking for extra income, there is a Caravan Club licence for five caravans.
Brambridge House is a grand building reminiscent of a stately home from yesteryear, surrounded by 14 acres of lavish landscaped gardens overlooking the banks of the River Itchen. The house was converted into gracious apartments in the 1950s and is now a sought-after rural development yet it’s within easy reach of local shops in Brambridge Village. This impressive contemporary three-bedroom
Star quality
first-floor apartment has a large living room filled with natural light featuring the original casement windows opening to the front. The bespoke fitted kitchen is large enough for dining and enjoys wonderful views of the communal gardens. The two double bedrooms leading off from the entrance hall overlook the gardens to the front while the one single bedroom has a side aspect.
The ‘Landsberg’, ‘Willoughby’ and ‘Hadley’ house types at Sun Park
New homes in Farnborough for buyers who love the ‘sunny side of the street’
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a tional housebuilder Bellway has just launched its latest collection of new homes in Hampshire at Sun Park, where the 18 different types of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses for sale have all been named after leading astronomers, climate scientists, meteorologist and solar engineers including ‘Hadley’, ‘Landsberg’,
‘Balmer’ and ‘Willoughby’. Two show homes have been opened at the site, where the first residents will be able to move in next Spring. “We are expecting the new homes at Sun Park to be a hit with families and working professionals, looking for a new home, in a great location,” enthuses Claire McGoldrick, sales director for Bellway Thames Valley. “As we have seen at our Maida development
at Wellesley in Aldershot, spacious homes that offer excellent location, top-notch transport connections and value for money are extremely appealing to purchasers. Therefore, we strongly advise prospective purchasers to visit our new marketing suite to avoid disappointment, as these new homes won’t be around for long.” The transport connections from Sun Park will be a major draw for
some house-hunters, with links to motorways nearby simplifying journeys to places such as Slough, Swindon and Southampton, while Basingstoke is just 20 minutes away. Farnborough railway station offers regular services to Basingstoke in 25 minutes, Southampton in 51 minutes and London Waterloo in 50 minutes. To the appeal of family buyers, Sun Park also benefits from being close to
several good primary and secondary schools, as well as one of the UK’s best-performing, and the University of Reading – ranked as a ‘top 1%’ world facility. Prices at Sun Park start from £370,000 for a three-bedroom semidetached home. Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk; 0118 933 8032
Search thousands of brand new homes on the UK’s leading new homes portal.
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LIME WALK WEMBLEY
SHOW HOME NOW OPEN LIME WALK COMPRISES A CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION OF 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS • Intelligently designed layouts offering a fantastic specification
• A 5 min walk from Wembley Park Station with links to the West End within 30 mins on the Jubilee line*
• Moments from Wembley Stadium, the SSE Arena and the London Designer Outlet
• Less than a mile from Fryent Country Park offering 254 acres of open space*
Prices from £280,000† Flexible buying options available Marketing Suite & Show Home open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm Viewings by appointment only
0203 667 1516
networkliving.co.uk
LIME-WALK.CO.UK
Computer generated image of Lime Walk. Internal images of previous Network Living developments. *Travel times and distances approximate only taken from Google maps and TFL. †Prices correct at time of press.
Life is sweet at The Chocolate Box
These apartments, just five minutes from the beach at Bournemouth, make an appealing second home option
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h ether you’re looking for a coastal getaway, or interested in tapping the student market in this popular university town, an apartment at The Chocolate Box, a development from boutique developer Acorn South, looks like an attractive choice, with a range of ready-to-occupy apartments. This collection of studios, oneand two-bedroom flats is located off Christchurch Road, but as soon as you are through the front door, you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Set over eight floors, with lift access, these properties offer allocated parking and the higher floors have extensive views over the town towards the sea and the undulating Blackmore Vale. Being brand new, these properties require no maintenance and come with modern and well-specified interiors. The open-plan layouts have stylish kitchens with a range of integrated appliances including fridge,
freezer, washing machine, built-in single oven and electric ceramic hob with extractor. The bathrooms have ceramic tiling with white sanitaryware, an electric shower and a chrome ladder-style heated towel rail. Bournemouth is only two hours from London, making it an ideal weekend bolthole, with a plethora of activities available locally, including water sports in Poole Harbour, and walking and cycling along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. The town’s gorgeous sandy beach is an attraction in its own right, and the town has an enviable array of theatre, cinema and music venues, together with plenty of pubs, cafés and restaurants. Bournemouth University has over 16,000 students across its campus sites, representing about 10% of the total population of the town and providing buy-to-let investors with a considerable market for an appealing property. The town is also a major employment centre along the coast, and there is a market for rental properties aimed at professionals, too. At The Chocolate Box, a typical
third-floor studio with a separate kitchen is priced at £130,000 will provide an estimated gross yield of 6%. A one-bedroom apartment with parking
has an estimated rental value of £675 per calendar month and a gross yield of 5.7%, while a two-bedroom apartment with parking at £190,000 has a gross
yield of 5.4%, based on a rental income of £850 per calendar. Find out more at sales@acornpg.org; 023 8202 4940
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VisitEngland
VisitEngland
A brand new development of luxury holiday homes in the Surrey Hills from just £150,000 A brand new development of luxury holiday Edgeley Country is yourSurrey idyllic destination for endless holidays and£150,000 weekend escapes. homes inParkthe Hills from just Located just over an hour from London and Gatwick, luxurious lodges, 26-acres of landscaped woodland and first class onsite leisure facilitiesfor make for a holidays perfectlyand accessible rural escape. Edgeley Country Park is your idyllic destination endless weekend escapes. Located just over an hour from London and Gatwick, luxurious lodges, 26-acres of landscaped Our latest development of 9 luxuriously appointed holiday lodges has been released for sale. woodland and first class onsite leisure facilities make for a perfectly accessible rural escape. With sensational interior design schemes and the benefit of Haulfryn’s 5-star sublet scheme, not will you enjoy endless holidays but earn income tolodges offset your running costs.for sale. Our only latest development of 9 luxuriously appointed holiday has been released With sensational interior design schemes and the benefit of Haulfryn’s 5-star sublet scheme, not only will you enjoy endless holidays but earn income to offset your running costs. For more information
call 01483 315149
For more information or visit www.edgeley-country.co.uk
call 01483 315149
Edgeley Country Park, Farley Green, Albury, Guildford, Surrey GU5 9DW
or visit www.edgeley-country.co.uk
Edgeley Country Park, Farley Green, Albury, Guildford, Surrey GU5 9DW
A Haulfryn country park A Haulfryn country park
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Downsizing puts the Lindons on top Retired couple leave their old family home for a swanky new Surrey penthouse
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e lling up their old five-bedroom family home in Sandhurst and buying the penthouse at Viridium, a Hodson Developments scheme in Camberley, has given retirees Derek and Diana Lindon a new home and a brand new lifestyle. Gone are the aches and pains of looking after a large garden and taking care of DIY jobs around the house, replaced by the peace of mind of a brand new property and some great views across the town and surrounding countryside from their two balconies. “We knew the moment that we laid our eyes on the penthouse at Viridium that we had finally found our perfect home,” says Derek, a retired British Aerospace engineer. “It was modern, bright and spacious, with two balconies allowing
us to enjoy outdoor space without the maintenance of a garden. The views from the top are pretty impressive too!“ With 12 grandchildren visiting regularly, the couple still find they have plenty of space to entertain their family and friends at their new property, which took them three years to find. Derek adds: “We had been looking for a property just like the penthouse for some time and so we knew we had to have it. We were able to pay the holding deposit [of £1,000] with the Assisted Move scheme and quickly got our family home onto the market. And after four months living in our new home, we couldn’t be happier.” Located on Frimley Road, Viridium is an award-winning gated development set over three buildings, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments,
garden apartments and penthouses, all situated within landscaped grounds. The development also provides private offroad parking for residents. More than half the first phase at Viridium is now sold and the second and penultimate phase is set for launch. Not only will there be more penthouses available but also still to be released is a range of ground floor apartments with patio gardens – a very popular choice for downsizing homebuyers. Christie Alaimo, sales director for developer Hodson Developments, says: “It was wonderful to help Mr and Mrs Lindon buy their dream home, especially after such a long time looking. As they have discovered, a brand new apartment is the ideal option for downsizers looking to reduce the maintenance of a larger property and enjoy a more
manageable lifestyle.” The Lindons are already seeing the energy-efficiency savings of a new build home, too. “Other than to check they work, we haven’t needed the radiators on once – not even when we moved in back in early February,” adds Derek. “Our water consumption is virtually at zero now we don’t have a garden to water and I believe that our utility bills will be extremely low and council tax is three bands lower. It wasn’t a reason for moving but it has certainty been a welcome benefit.” Currently available are its brand new range of one-, two- and threebedroom apartments with prices starting from £299,950. Find out more at www.hodsondevelopments.com; 01344 753110 (Romans)
Surrey – a buyer’s guide Darren Walter, associate director at Waterfords explains why buyers flock to Surrey
A MAGNET FOR FAMILIES Surrey is such an easy commute to London that its buyers, nearly always from west or south-west London, look down the line for great schools, pretty towns and villages and the all-important green space and the lifestyle changes that it brings. Many parts of Surrey offer a midpoint between London and the country, so ties with the capital can remain. Of course, the proximity of Gatwick and Heathrow, as well as private airports such as Fairoaks or Farnborough, makes the county extremely attractive to business people. The road network is also excellent with easy access to major motorways including the M3, M25, M4 and M40.
SURREY’S EXCLUSIVE ENCLAVES The private estates such as Wentworth and areas around Virginia Water are particularly popular. Virginia Water and Chobham were listed in the top 10 millionaire villages for the number of properties that have sold at over £1m in the last three years and sold prices are generally up 10% year on year. Chobham is very popular with its independent shops, pubs and the renowned restaurant Stovell’s,
which we’re sure is heading for a Michelin star! The village is just a 10-minute drive from the mainline station at Woking, where direct trains into London Waterloo take just 24 minutes. Buyers are looking for a range of properties from listed buildings and those with equestrian facilities to period cottages and country piles. Chobham and the surrounding areas of Bisley, Horsell, Knaphill, Ottershaw, Pirbright and West End have so much to offer. One of my favourite properties that we sold this year was a classic period village home called Bird Walk House in Chobham. It had been refurbished to create a highly desirable four-bedroom home in the heart of the village and it sold for £890,000.
FUTURE HOTSPOTS My tip is for Camberley, which is becoming increasingly popular with families attracted by the good secondary schools such as Tomlinscote School and Collingwood College. We have also seen a massive increase of investment buyers locally. Much of Camberley was developed in the early 1960s and many of the people who bought property then and have stayed locally are now mortgage free and opting to buy second investment homes within the area. I think this has also been prompted
by the £310m investment plans which were unveiled at the end of 2013 by Surrey Heath Borough Council. While the town has undergone much regeneration, with an increase of restaurants and leisure facilities in the Atrium, as well as new modern apartments, redevelopment is still ongoing now. My view is that if the rail line is improved this will be a key investment area in Surrey.
FINANCES ARE KEY It is very much a sellers’ market at the moment and is likely to remain so for the rest of the year and into early 2016. However, buyers should ensure their finances in are in place so they have the greatest chance at negotiating asking prices. Those looking to get children into certain schools should also research catchment areas or speak to an established local estate agent who will be able to offer advice. Waterfords has offices covering parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, providing sales and lettings, as well as a land and new homes division.
Find out more at www.waterfords.co.uk; 01276 858589 (Chobham) or 01276 66566 (Camberley)
The Hyde Housing Group Making a lasting difference, Working with Local Authorities The Hyde Group is an award winning provider of The Hyde Group is an award winning provider of homes and makes a significant contribution to homes and makes a significant contribution to meeting housing needs and improving people’s meeting housing needs and improving people’s quality of life. quality of life. Hyde is one of the largest housing associations working in England, Hyde is one of the largest housing associations working in England, owning or managing circa 50,000 homes with a focus on London, owning or managing circa 50,000 homes with a focus on London, Kent and the South Coast of England. Kent and the South Coast of England. Hyde built high quality new homes for 4,413 people in 2014/15. Of these, Hyde built high quality new homes for 4,413 people in 2014/15. Of these, 83% pay a subsidised price, with 3,643 people housed in a new Hyde 83% pay a subsidised price, with 3,643 people housed in a new Hyde affordable home. affordable home. Hyde is acutely aware of the housing crisis in the UK. A continuing Hyde is acutely aware of the housing crisis in the UK. A continuing decline in levels of house building, combined with increased demand, decline in levels of house building, combined with increased demand, particularly within London and the south east of England, has increased particularly within London and the south east of England, has increased housing costs significantly and impacted on local economies. housing costs significantly and impacted on local economies. Members of our team will be at MIPIM 2015 promoting New Members of our team will be at MIPIM 2015 promoting New Challenges; Challenges; New New Partnering Partnering Solutions our Local Authority Offer launched earlier this year. Solutions our Local Authority Offer launched earlier this year.
CGI CGI of of proposed proposed Hyde Hyde HA HA Development Development in in Harrow, Harrow, London London
Hyde Hyde is is committed committed to to tackling tackling the the housing housing shortage shortage and and reducing reducing some some of of these these impacts impacts by: by: • • Developing 1,000 mixed tenure homes a Developing 1,000 mixed tenure homes a year with a focus on increasing this further year with a focus on increasing this further • • Delivering quality management services Delivering quality management services across all tenures and uses across all tenures and uses • • Maximising life chances for residents Maximising life chances for residents through Hyde Plus’ support service through Hyde Plus’ support service • • Retaining a strong financial covenant and Retaining a strong financial covenant and commitment to invest for the future commitment to invest for the future
We believe that the answer to delivering more We believe that the answer to delivering more homes, particularly ones that are affordable homes, particularly ones that are affordable or are available for low cost ownership, is to or are available for low cost ownership, is to work collaboratively with local authorities. A work collaboratively with local authorities. A partnership approach allows local authorities partnership approach allows local authorities to match their assets with our experience of to match their assets with our experience of mixed tenure development and regeneration, mixed tenure development and regeneration, to create housing and communities in the to create housing and communities in the most cost-effective and sustainable way. most cost-effective and sustainable way. True True partnerships partnerships can can be be achieved achieved in in aa number number of of ways: ways: • • A joint venture model with sharing of risk A joint venture model with sharing of risk and reward and reward • • Sharing the build programme: Hyde Sharing the build programme: Hyde develops and sells the commercial develops and sells the commercial elements of a mixed tenure scheme and the elements of a mixed tenure scheme and the local authority develops and retains some or local authority develops and retains some or all of the affordable/social homes, to deliver all of the affordable/social homes, to deliver an ongoing revenue an ongoing revenue • • Hyde acts as the development and/or Hyde acts as the development and/or sales agent for the local authority sales agent for the local authority • • Traditional regeneration projects Traditional regeneration projects • • Stock transfer opportunities Stock transfer opportunities
We have the financial capacity, A1 Moody’s We have the financial capacity, A1 Moody’s credit rating and the highest validation credit rating and the highest validation from the Homes and Communities Agency. from the Homes and Communities Agency. Equally, our reputation for innovation and Equally, our reputation for innovation and creativity in designing new solutions for creativity in designing new solutions for delivering affordable homes means we are delivering affordable homes means we are an ideal partner for local authorities. an ideal partner for local authorities. We are committed to communities and We are committed to communities and places for the long term, supporting our places for the long term, supporting our developments with high quality, coordinated developments with high quality, coordinated management services. These core objectives management services. These core objectives as a registered provider distinguish us from as a registered provider distinguish us from other market housing developers. other market housing developers. We are open to ideas, so let’s do more to We are open to ideas, so let’s do more to work together, pooling resources, ideas and work together, pooling resources, ideas and ambitions, to create homes for people that ambitions, to create homes for people that need them the most. need them the most.
We look look forward forward to to working working with with you you We in the the future. future. To To arrange arrange aa meeting, meeting, in please contact: contact: please Simon Vevers Vevers Simon Development Director, Regeneration Development Director, Regeneration simon.vevers@hyde-housing.co.uk simon.vevers@hyde-housing.co.uk Tom Shaw Shaw Tom Development Director, South Coast Development Director, South Coast tom.shaw@hyde-housing.co.uk tom.shaw@hyde-housing.co.uk Mike Johnson Johnson Mike Development Director, London and Kent Development Director, London and Kent mike.johnson2@hyde-housing.co.uk mike.johnson2@hyde-housing.co.uk
HOW SMALL CHANGE COULD MAKE YOU BIG RETURNS There aren’t many investment opportunities with a 2,000 year old heritage. But this is a coin with the seal of approval from the first Emperor of Rome. It is a gold ‘Aureus’ struck in 15-13 BC, featuring both Augustus, the Emperor and a butting bull. This Augustan Aureus is priced at £32,000. In 2013 an Aureus from 15-13 BC was auctioned for US $425,500, 227% up on its $130,000 estimate. Another, with a unique heifer design, sold for £300,000 in 2014. Uncorrelated with other asset classes, rare coins and stamps provide several thousand Stanley Gibbons Investment clients with strong portfolio diversification and the potential for capital growth.
To find out more call 0845 026 7170 or visit sginvest.co.uk/whathouse The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back what you put in. Stamps and certain other collectibles are not designated investments for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 and as such are not subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or otherwise. Stanley Gibbons Investment does not provide valuations.
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Property of the month with Strutt & Parker
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erching Manor in Fulking, West Sussex, is referred to by the architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner in The Buildings of England. With a guide price of £2.7m, the property is said to be early Georgian with later additions and the beautifully proportioned home offers light and elegant accommodation. Period features include a grand doorway with a Gothic glazed fanlight, high skirtings, sash windows, ceiling cornices and open fireplaces. The spacious kitchen/breakfast room features a walk-in larder and there is a separate well-proportioned dining room. Double doors lead from the sitting room/library, into a south-facing conservatory with arched windows and a mature vine growing within.
Perching Manor has two staircases leading to seven bedrooms and three bathrooms set over the first and second floors, including an eastfacing principal master bedroom suite. Set within 10.2 acres, there is also a substantial indoor swimming pool complex and a large Victorian outbuilding comprising garage, tack room and dovecote. Hassocks station is about 6.5 miles away with a service to London Bridge/ Victoria in about 55 minutes, ideal for daily commuters. The property, set in the stunning South Downs National Park, is also in close proximity to a number of leading public schools including Ardingly, Brighton and Lancing Colleges. Find out more at www.struttandparker.com; 01273 475411
Thinking of selling your home? Do you know how much your home is really worth? Find out with our FREE valuation service. It’s a quick and easy process that you can carry out online or over the phone. Visit www.whathouse.com/value-my-property/value-myproperty-now or call us now on 01245 835 053.
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Sea for yourself
First new homes at Brighton Marina development go on sale
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c tober saw the launch of sales of the first phase of Brighton Marina, a £250m landmark development of 853 new homes and over 2,000sqm of commercial space. The first phase comprises 175 one-, two- and threebedroom apartments, priced from £461,000. Brighton Marina is already Europe’s largest, boasting 1,600 berths, and the much-anticipated new development looks set to reinforce its position as a prime waterfront residential quarter. The new homes wil be suspended over the water on stilts and one of the buildings will be a 40-storey tower. Godfrey Winterson, head of land and new homes at Hamptons International, says: “Given the scarcity of first-class residential development on the south coast in recent years, demand for premium waterfront living is at an all-time high. “Brighton Marina represents the
first of its kind: a highly specified scheme offering an unrivalled location matched with a host of local amenities and facilities that are necessitated by modern living. The scheme heralds a new nautical and residential landmark and we therefore anticipate Brighton Marina to attract a great deal of interest from purchasers coveting the opportunity to buy into such an iconic development.” Forming part of the 126acre waterfront site, these new properties being constructed in The Tower and Boardwalk buildings will sympathetically complement the famous Regency architecture of the Brighton seafront. The rich, white façades of the town’s muchloved period buildings have inspired the designers, along with maritime themes such as lighthouses and yacht sails. With just a one-hour rail commute and frequent services to and from London Victoria, it is estimated one in five buyers in Brighton come
from London, with 58% moving to Brighton from ‘inner’ boroughs such as Lewisham, Lambeth and Tower Hamlets. The seafront, of course, is a huge draw for many, and its extensive shopping, leisure facilities and educational establishments all attract people to homes in the town. This popularity, coupled with a limited supply of new housing, has led to average prices continuing to rise, a trend that shows no sign of stopping. Michael El-Kassir, managing director at developer GRE Assets, adds: “Brighton Marina presents an unrivalled seafront opportunity and is the most exciting development to come to the city in decades. Given the forecast for the local market and the interest we have already seen, now is an opportune time to launch this highly anticipated development.” Find out more at www.brighton-marina.com; 01273 921065 (Hamptons International)
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Armchair thrillers
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With the evenings starting to draw in, nothing beats sinking into a cosy armchair in front of a roaring fire. Richenda Oldham picks her five favourites 1 The Egg Chair is an iconic design that combines outstanding comfort and functionality with artistic flair; £731, www.italiadesigns.co.uk; 2 Swoon Editions Carnaby armchair pays homage to the 1951 Festival of Britain with its hand-drawn effect abstract upholstery fabric and sculpted frame; £449, www.swooneditions.com; 3 Inspired by a 19th-century Swedish design, the Sark armchair is upholstered in a rich golden velvet - aptly named Sunshine; £620, www.sofa.com; 4 A delicate floral print in water colour effect colours enhances the Lausanne armchair’s classic shape; £349, www.tesco.com; 5 The Grace armchair is a deceptively simple piece, which looks good yet is perfect for relaxing in. Shown here upholstered in a grey chenille fabric; £349, www.made.com
Deer, oh deer Glittering reindeer are key players as Christmas decorations andaccessories. Silver, gold or diamante, they look stunning as table centrepieces, says Richenda Oldham, who has tracked down five of her favourites
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5 1. Silver sitting deer with gold antlers, £19.99, www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk; 2. Gold sparkle resin reindeer, £4.99, www.melodymaison.co.uk; 3. Gold reindeer ornament with sequins and glitter, £9, www.tch.net; 4. Gold glitter stag, £6.25, www.berryred.co.uk; 5. Prancing deer, £16.95, www.adventino.co.uk
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Black and gold is a classic colour pairing as this sleek contemporary chandelier demonstrates; Hexagonal polished brass and black glass chandelier, £6,560, www.touchedinteriors.co.uk
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Metallic curtains - whether in gold, silver or bronze – will add a glamorous sparkle to any room; faux silk curtains, £57, Colours at B&Q
Shock and Au Say goodbye to bland, and grasp the gilded lily. Richenda Oldham explains how to make the most of gold in your home
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n the world of interior design trends, gold is proving a keeper as Dulux has demonstrated with their chosen Colour of the Year 2016 - Cherished Gold. It’s a warm, intense, gold-influenced ochre that works beautifully with other tones and demonstrates perfectly the scope that gold offers in decorating. Gold has taken the design world by storm and it is exciting to see how its influence comes across in everything from accessories and fabrics to wallpapers, paints and furniture. Interior fashionistas certainly know how to get the most out of this hot metal, which can be teamed with warm earthy colours, pastels or rich jewel shades. But the less confident should not be afraid to have a go, too. If you haven’t got the courage to embrace the colour of the hour wholeheartedly, then try adding touches of gold to a neutral scheme. You will be amazed at how just a small nod to the trend will give instant lift and sparkle to a room. Gold lightens and brightens rooms, adding interest to dark corners, creating warm and inviting spaces instantly. It’s amazing how even a sprinkle of gold
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can have such an impact. Don’t think of gold in terms of its shiny, hard metallic form, golden colours expressed in fabrics and wallpaper are equally magical. Above all, this is a seriously versatile shade.
GOLD + PASTELS/ NEUTRALS A simple scattering of golden cushions, lampshades, occasional chairs and rugs can bring a neutral scheme to life. A sprinkling of gold will give greys and creams a boost, resulting in a scheme that is upbeat and contemporary, as opposed to bland and lifeless.
RETRO GOLD Throughout history gold has had an important role to play in buildings and interior design with fabulously opulent results. Owners of period properties can take inspiration from the past and yet still be bang on trend. Victorians loved deep, rich jewel colours, such as burgundy, olive green, Prussian blue, shades of purple and of course these are all perfect for combining with gold.
Pineapples were once a sign of luxury and affluence and make eye-catching decorative accessories; gold pineapple, £89.95, www.miafleur.com
Cherished Gold is Dulux’s Colour of the Year for 2016
Try gold-tasselled tie-backs and fringing, button-back furniture with gilded wood, gold flocked wallpapers, gilt carved mirrors and porcelain with gold highlights.
GOLD IN A CONTEMPORARY SETTING Don’t for one minute think that gold should be restricted to heritage interiors. Uber-cool, super-white modern schemes look absolutely fabulous with a blast of earthy gold. It adds warmth and prevents a room from becoming antiseptic and clinical. White kitchen units can be transformed by gold mosaic tiles or a golden ochre glass splashback.
GOLD AND BLACK Black and gold is a classic combination beloved by designers. It offers elegance and sophistication and is an effortlessly grown up choice. Team black lacquered chinoiserie furniture featuring gold decoration, with golden walls, pale creamy gold upholstery and inky black curtains.
Bask in a golden glow with this stunning, hand-drawn wallpaper that mixes English gardens and birds with vibrant colours evocative of Rajasthan; Golding Bunting Birds Wallpaper, £88 per 10m roll, www.occipinti.com/shop
60 interiors
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Winter wonderland Christmas decorating trends for 2015 range from homespun natural to the unconventional and wildly extravagant. Richenda Oldham is torn between going eco friendly and using recycled materials and romantic notions of feathers and fur with lashings of metallics
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h ristmas has a grand old tradition of storytelling and none more so than when it comes to festive decorating. This is the time of year when drama and glamour can really take hold, veering from the traditional to quirky, breathtaking schemes. One of the strongest colours to emerge this year is blue, which can be used as a primary colour and teamed with gold and champagne tones.
FROSTED The Disney film Frozen has had a knock-on influence on Christmas decorations, and frosted fantasy wonderland themes are particularly prevalent. Look out for icicles, snowballs, polar wildlife (bears, deer, foxes and owls). The ice can be broken with soft pastel tones of mint green, pale blue and champagne, or can be keep pure and simple, with dashes of silver for added lift.
BOLD BLUE All kinds of shades of blue are here this season, offering a rich and varied palette from which to choose. Schemes range from vivid royal blue, teamed with gold, for a royal and powerful look, to pale tones of frosted turquoise and pale, ice blue. Azure blue brings added Mediterranean warmth and a relaxed, more informal atmosphere.
METALLICS Metallic tones have been a prevalent trend in interiors for several years now and form a key part of Christmas decorating. Although gold remains perennially popular, warmer tones of copper and bronze have crept in, as well as pewter and silver. Copper and bronze work beautifully with natural
themes that focus on materials such as wood and woollen fabrics. Metallics offer an injection of sophistication and elegance and give all the colour palettes a real ‘lift’.
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RETRO NOSTALGIA This is where Christmas gets really fun. Embrace kitsch and indulge in a good old yesteryear wallow. Look out for the many fabulous lustrepainted glass decorations that are available, including dogs, vintage cars, santas and snowmen. Make your own paper chains and make sure you hang those iconic paper lanterns from ceiling lights. Decorations dating from a core period of the 1950s are particularly hot and make a welcome change from the usual Victorian style baubles.
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PEPPERMINT CANDY Red and white is striking trend that is taking prime position this season. Think of the traditional peppermint candy cane, but on a wider scale. Christmas stockings, reindeer, snow boots, paper napkins, candles, hearts and stars all look terrifically fresh, as then white and red contrast creates a light and bright effect. A dash of green complements this look perfectly. The Nordic trend looks particularly good using red and white.
NATURE’S OWN Natural materials such as wood and textured fabrics such as sackcloth and wool offer a restful and charming alternative to all the festive bling. Use contrasting white decorations, such as pine cones against wood backgrounds and bring on the woodland creatures, such as foxes, deer, squirrels and owls, which are a strong and prevalent influence.
1. The vibrant blue of the Mediterranean has been carried through to Christmas with this vivid blue and silver themed tree. Midnight Christmas decorations, from £2.99 and Bluffton tree, 6.5ft, £169; www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk 2. The traditional Christmas colour of red looks fabulous when teamed with white – the result is a dazzling festive scheme, bursting with warmth. Use spray snow to create an icy backdrop then decorate with red ornaments interspersed with turquoise/blue and silver baubles. Keilder Snowy Spruce tree, £169.99, red stockings, £11.99; www.dobbies.com 3. Sparkling white decorations contrast beautifully with green foliage edged in frost – together they form a striking yet simple theme that picks up from the nature scene trend. Christmas ornaments from 99p, 6ft pre-lit Nordic tree, £59.99; www.dunelm-mill.com 4. Nordic style has really taken off for Christmas decorating as well as an interior trend generally. You’ll see plenty of reindeer, of course, as well as snowflakes, stars and Christmas trees. Nordic Grey Christmas Collection; www.janconstantine.com 5. Be eco-friendly and trendy this Christmas by making your own decorations using natural materials, evergreen boughs and recycled materials. Homesense from www.tkmaxx.com
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A world of colour
Viola’s Bloom and November Gorse
The nature of Britain inspires the shades of the luxury products from Paints by Conran
T
h e name Sir Terence Conran is synonymous with modern classic design, from architecture to interiors and home accessories. Paint by Conran, a collaboration with Master Paintmakers, sees the world-renowned founder of Habitat lending his name to the home decoration market, with 96 handcrafted, environmentally friendly paints in five collections. The company’s research found that homeowners spend around £120m per year in the ‘designer paint’ sector and that in all, 30m of us in the UK don a brush every year, collectively using 200m litres of paint. Paint by Conran’s hues are available in three different finishes: eggshell (for interior and exterior), matt
Blue Kale, Dandelion Puff and Winter Rocket
emulsion and gloss (for interior and exterior), available online and from a range of specialist retail stockists up and down the UK, such as Brewers, Bennett and Bowman, The Conran Shop, John Charles Interiors and Painthouse. The company has looked at ways of differentiating itself from some of the established brands by aiming for excellence in every aspect of its product, making them easy to apply, quick to dry and hardwearing. The colours of the current Paint by Conran collections (Cottage Garden, Harvest, Highland, Kitchen Garden and Orchard) have been inspired by British landscapes, ranging from the pales and neutrals, such as Nutty Shiitake and Pippin in Spring, to vibrant, statement colours such as the
Mon Amie and November Gorse
rich blue Cornflower Heart and sunny Dandelion Puff. Sir Terence Conran says: ”Master Paintmakers, with their impeccable pedigree and attention to detail, were the perfect choice for us to develop this beautiful range of colours. I have wanted to have a paint range for many years and colour has the power to transform lives and this range is the very best for consumers in palette and quality and reflects my values.” Chairman of Master Paintmakers, Arnie Kosky, adds: “Deciding on a colour scheme for your home can be one of the most challenging tasks but we help you get that important look just right. Paint for beautiful homes is what we do”.
Cornflower Heart and Seed Pod
Find out more at www.paintbyconran.com
Aloe Spike and White Floret
62 armchair gardener
Find your new home at Whathouse.com
Spring into action To beat those long dark days, Richenda Oldham recommends planting bulbs to give your garden an injection of colour during spring
B
ulbs are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow, adding a wide variety of colour and shapes to spring borders. If they are planted at the right time of year, then they can provide reliable blooms year after year. They also bring a welcome splash of colour to gardens during dark winter days, when little else is flowering. Planting times vary, depending on the flowering time of the bulb. Spring flowering bulbs should be planted from early autumn, so they have time to develop new roots before the winter frosts set in, whereas summer flowering bulbs are best planted from late spring onwards. As a general rule, most bulbs
should be planted at least three times their height, but it is worth checking planting depth for each species. Most bulbs need well-drained soil that won’t become waterlogged in the winter, which will cause them to rot. Bulbs can be planted in borders, containers or in grass, which can be particularly effective as it is a more natural setting for spring flowers. Make sure you plant each bulb with the pointed growing tip facing upwards. Although if it’s not obvious which end is which, plant the bulb on its side. There are many different varieties of spring bulbs to choose from, but here are some eternal favourites:
TULIPS –these are one of the most popular bulbs, with many colourful varieties to choose from. They make ideal bedding plants or can be planted in containers. Tulips are hardy and easy to grow, usually flowering between March and May.
CROCUS – this plant belongs to the iris family and is represented by over 80 different species. Crocuses are usually yellow, white, mauve or lilac in colour and the female stigmas (reproductive organs) produce a yellow pigment that is used to make the spice saffron. Although beautiful and delicate in appearance, crocuses are able to tolerate low temperatures and can even survive snow.
DAFFODILS – regarded as one of spring’s most iconic plants, daffodils burst forth in all their glory between February and early May. These hardy flowers are easy to grow and need to be planted in September and October in sunny or lightly shady positions.
SNOWDROPS – there are at least 75 different varieties/species of snowdrops, all of which are early spring flowering types. They are distinctive for their bellshaped, drooping white flowers and blue-green leaves. Snowdrops prefer to grow in full sun, in a rich, well-drained soil. They work best when planted in small groups in the early autumn.
BLUBELLS – the bluebell is a member of the lily family and has adapted to survive in the shade of woodland. Because bluebells grow very slowly, their presence in woodland is often indicative that there has been a wood on that site for a long time. One of the most beautiful seasonal indicators is the transformation of woodland floors by these stunning, sweetly scented, violet-blue flowers.
The Townhouse Collection BATTERSEA PARK ROAD, SW11 4NB
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Battersea Park
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The Townhouse Collection is an exclusive selection of elegant 4 and 5 bedroom homes perfectly located moments from Battersea Park with excellent transport links into the city.
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These impressive townhouses have been built to the highest standard featuring a luxury specification, flexible layouts as well as private gardens, terraces and secure underground parking accessible via a car lift.
Location photography of Battersea and surrounding areas. Prices correct at time of press.
Land & New Homes
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G IN H 5 C H 6T 2 0 1 UN AY ER LA ID B FR EM V
Computer generated photomontage of Highbanks.
HIGHBANKS Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 2LB
Discover Highbanks, an exclusive development of one, two and three bedroom apartments situated in the heart of Southend-on-Sea. With stunning picturesque views of the coast and high-end specification, you’ll find Highbanks is a special place to live.
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