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 Winter 2017
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new homes news 3
Government starts year with Welcome! new homes announcements A Ahead of its much-anticipated housing White Paper, the government provides details of several new homes initiatives across the country.
W
i th the UK’s housing crisis still making headlines in the national press on a regular basis, the government started 2017 with a number of announcements, which offer more detail to several schemes proposed over the past couple of years, which between them will create tens of thousands of new build homes across England.
GARDEN VILLAGES
STARTER HOME INITIATIVE The government has named the first phase of sites for affordable new build properties under its Starter Home initiative. Work will start this year on the homes, which are aimed at firsttime buyers between 23- and 40-years-old and which will be sold to them for at least 20% less than open-market value. The first phase of 30 sites across England, from Northumberland to the south coast, will see new homes constructed on brownfield sites as part of the £1.2bn scheme known as the Starter Home Land Fund. Work will commence this year, with thousands of properties to be completed during this parliament, by 2020. Housing minister Gavin Barwell says: “This government is committed to building starter homes to help young first-time buyers get on the housing ladder. This first wave of partnerships shows the strong local interest to build thousands of starter homes on hundreds of brownfield sites in the coming years. One in three councils has expressed an interest to work with us so far.” The scheme works by reducing development costs for housebuilders that should then be passed on to homebuyers, and will then be passed on to the next buyers when the first upgrade to another home.
Housing minister Gavin Barwell has announced a further 14 ‘garden village’ locations which will together bring around 48,000 new homes to England over the coming years. The new villages, along with three larger new ‘garden towns’ in Aylesbury, Taunton and Harlow/Gilston, join seven previously announced locations and stretch from Devon in the south to Cumbria in the north. They will each bring between 1,500 and 10,000 new homes, with a total of nearly 200,000 now proposed altogether. Local authorities have access to a new £6m fund over two years to support their delivery of the new projects, while the homes themselves will be partly financed from the £2.3bn Housing Infrastructure Fund announced by Philip Hammond in 2016’s Autumn Statement. The 14 new garden villages announced are: Long Marston in Stratford-on-Avon; Oxfordshire Cotswold in West Oxfordshire;
OTHER AFFORDABLE HOMES The government has unlocked £7bn to fund its programme for new affordable housing across the UK, covering Shared Ownership, Rent to Buy and Affordable Rent properties. Developers are invited to apply for funding to build new homes under these schemes over the next four years. The government has also
Deenethorpe in East Northants; Culm in Mid Devon; Welborne near Fareham in Hampshire; West Carclaze in Cornwall; Dunton Hills near Brentwood, Essex; Spitalgate Heath in South Kesteven, Lincolnshire; Halsnead in Knowsley, Merseyside; Longcross in Runnymede and Surrey Heath; Bailrigg in Lancaster; Infinity Garden Village in South Derbyshire and Derby City area; St Cuthberts near Carlisle City, Cumbria; and North Cheshire in Cheshire East. Gavin Barwell MP says: “Locally led garden towns and villages have enormous potential to deliver the homes that communities need. New communities not only deliver homes, they also bring new jobs and facilities and a big boost to local economies. These places combined could provide almost 200,000 homes.” Reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Shaun Spiers, chief executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), remarked: “CPRE welcomes efforts to tackle the housing crisis in the form of highquality, well-planned and well-located
developments. But CPRE will look closely at these specific proposals to ensure that they really are locally led; that they respect the green belt and other planning designations; and that they meet housing need, particularly the need for genuinely affordable housing for local people, and are not driven by over-ambitious, centrally dictated housing targets.” Ross Clark of The Spectator says: “Concentrating new homes in purpose-built new towns, villages and suburbs, where services and infrastructure are built as part of the development, upsets people who live nearby but ultimately it is the least painful way of accommodating the new homes which are so desperately needed. The only way we are going to civilise housing development is by building homes in conjunction with infrastructure. We need to be building new homes in places where new roads, schools, drains, surgeries, shops and all the rest form part of the development. We need, in short, new towns along the lines of those built post-war.”
released a list of property developers and housing associations which have already been allocated some £1.28bn since April 2016. Communities secretary Sajid Javid says: “This government is committed to increasing housing supply and halting the decline in affordability. Our newly expanded affordable housing programme, turbo-charged by a multi-billion pound investment, will allow housing associations to
build more homes in places where they are most needed, particularly for families who are just about managing. By encouraging the delivery of more homes under a variety of tenures, we can create a housing market which truly works for everyone, meeting the diverse housing needs of this country.” Housing minister Gavin Barwell added: “Up and down the country we are investing more in affordable housing to help make the dream of home ownership a reality for thousands more tenants. This includes opening up the housing market to younger people and providing decent, affordable homes for rent for those who cannot afford to buy.” Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) chairman Sir Ed Lister remarked: “The HCA is leading the government’s drive to increase the scale and pace of delivery of housebuilding. The expanded affordable housing programme will help us continue to work with both housing associations and developers new to this area of the housing market to increase the availability of affordable homes.”
s our news feature on this page shows, January has already seen a flurry of activity in housing from our government, and when you see the quantity (and cost!) of the homes mentioned, it underlines how important its involvement is. And this is before (at the time of writing, at least) its White Paper on housing is published. This long-awaited document is set to take a wide look at the UK housing market and outline ways that government can work with others to tackle the problems it will outline. It’s been pointed out for years that we simply don’t build enough new homes to meet demand, and it is hoped that one of the prime topics of the White Paper will be how we can increase output against challenges on supply of materials and sufficiency in skilled labour. How Brexit will affect currency values (especially important when the affordability of many of these new homes is going to be crucial) and the strength of our workforce are also major challenges that the White Paper’s writers will have to look at intently. Nevertheless, there are many thousands of new homes currently for sale across the UK so if moving into one is something you aspire to, why not join up to the WhatHouse? ‘New Year, New Home’ initiative? We’re encouraging househunters to get up and make their dream happen, tackling the different steps of the homebuying process in turn to find a home they want, save the money to move, secure finance and so on. While first-time buyers in particular might think the process is daunting, taking it bit by bit will make it much easier than you might imagine. Mortgage availability and low interest rates are still in place, as is the equity share part of the Help to Buy scheme, which is only valid on new build homes but can be used by first-timers or current homeowners alike. January and February are especially busy for launches and events, so keep your eyes peeled on Whathouse.com for daily news about what is coming up, and sign up to our weekly newsletter. Happy house-hunting!
Keith
Keith Osborne, editor. ko@whathouse.com @keithosborne69
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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.
Managing director Daniel Hill
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.
Sales director Adrian Talbot at@globespanmedia.com
Editorial director Rupert Bates Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost Designer Sarah Davies Contributors Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham Fiona Brandhorst Ben Salisbury Helen Christie
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IDYLLIC RURAL SETTING St Georges View sits in a beautifully secluded yet central area of Ascot. Nestled next to the prestigious St Gerges school and overlooking open countryside, each of the four new contemporary designed properties offers the perfect combination of rural views, privacy and convenience. Access to the properties is via a private, tree-lined lane that has little through traffic, but offers excellent access to main roads. Ascot High Street is also just a 10 minute walk away. For commuters, nearby Ascot train
station offers regular services that reach London Waterloo in less than an hour and Heathrow airport is also just a 15 minute drive away. Both the M4 and M3 motorways can also be reached in a matter of minutes. St Georges View is also perfectly located for renowned schools such as St Georges, Lambrook, LVS, the Marist School, St Mary’s and Eton College. There are also numerous nurseries as well as top performing primary and secondary state schools.
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Exquisite homesin a country setting Situated on the rural outskirts of Littlewick Green, these exquisite homes enjoy all the pleasures of country living, in a convenient location.
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6 six appeal
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Spey House, Sunningdale, Berkshire • £POA
The village of Sunningdale is perhaps best known for its golf club, one of a number of prestigious championship courses in the part of the world, either side of the Berkshire/Surrey border. This new 6,000-sq-ft home is fit for any champion, matching its generous size with a very impressive specification befitting such a setting. This three-storey detached home is on Lady Margaret Road, just a few minutes’ walk from the station (47 minutes into London) and the shops and amenities. Each of the five bedrooms has an en suite bathroom or shower room, with the master and guest rooms also have dressing rooms. The top floor has a gym and home cinema, while the ground floor has a multitude of reception rooms, with a dining room, sitting
room, drawing room and study accompanying an open-plan kitchen/breakfast/family room with a utility room and bi-fold door access to the rear garden. Andrea Fawell, sales and marketing manager at Kebbell Homes, says: “Spey House is the epitome of luxury, sophistication, style and traditional beauty. It really is a work of art that will be a perfect remedy for those seeking a home in the heart of a charming village with independent upmarket shops, restaurants and boutiques.”
From: Kebbell Homes Contact: 01344 874162
Six appeal Our pick of current new build homes in a village setting Elysian Fields, Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex • From £465,000
There are currently a handful of fourbedroom homes for sale at this stylish development located just to the west of the A24 and the popular town of Horsham. It is the final phase of the large Wickhurst Green development that has attracted buyers to this appealing part of Sussex, close to the natural beauty of the countryside but within easy reach of shops, amenities and transport links. Inspired by local design, these homes combine a traditional appearance with a modern layout and specification. The government’s Help to Buy scheme is available too, so buyers only need to find a 5% deposit to secure the property they want. Andrew Loveday, sales director at Countryside, says: “Here, the residents will find everything they need to entertain friends
and family in their beautiful new home. In the past people, entertained in dining rooms; however, the modern trend of open-plan living, like the generously sized open-plan kitchen, living and dining area at Elysian Fields, allows residents to be part of the fun, whilst preparing a gourmet feast in the kitchen.” The centre of Horsham is just seven minutes by car and half-an-hour on foot, providing a delightful mix of shops and services on its historic streets. The station provides regular services into London, under an hour away, as well as to numerous resorts along the south coast.
From: Countryside Contact: 01403 276700
Lavender Fields, Isfield, East Sussex From £325,000
With a selection of two-bedroom apartments alongside an impressive choice of semidetached and detached houses with three to five bedrooms, there really is something here for almost anyone hoping to find an ideal home in the East Sussex countryside. With only 39 homes in all, many due for completion in spring and summer 2017, there remains an exclusive feel to the setting. Isfield is just six miles north-east of the attractive Sussex town of Lewes, in delightful countryside within equally easy reach of the High Weald and South Downs, as well as the south coast’s numerous attractive resorts. It also hosts the scenic Lavender Line, an award-winning heritage railway line on part of the old Lewes to Uckfield route. Philip Brown, sales director at Millwood
Designer Homes, remarks: “Lavender Fields boasts a selection of beautiful properties designed to create a traditional quintessential English village. We are particularly excited for the completion of the Manor House, which gives the appearance of the grand period mansion, now converted into luxury apartments. Perfect for those looking to downsize or ‘right-size’ their home, these properties offer stunning, low maintenance homes that ideally combine the character of a period style property with all the benefits of a contemporary new home.” A marketing suite is open here daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
From: Millwood Designer Homes Contact: 01825 480499
For the latest on the property market
six appeal 7
@What_House
Langland Place, Roydon, Essex From £895,000 A new show home is coming soon to this development of luxury fourand five-bedroom homes in the village of Roydon, on the Essex/ Hertfordshire border. The village is right on the edge of the Lee Valley Regional Park, which offers a host of landscapes, trails and sports facilities, and within easy reach of the major towns of Harlow, Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford. It’s also just over half-an-hour’s drive from Stansted Airport and has a half-hour rail journey into Liverpool Street from its own station. Roydon is an attractive village with plenty of historic buildings
Chestnut Grange, Willesborough Lees, Ashford, Kent • From £394,995 There’s a range of three- and fourbedroom homes for sale right now at this development in a village on the edge of Ashford, with emphasis on traditional design with more than a nod to the Kent vernacular in style and materials. This scheme is ideally placed for easy access to Ashford’s wellconnected station, which serves a multitude of routes to and from London and the Kent coast (including of course High Speed and Eurostar services with a 38-minute journey time to London St Pancras) as well as the M20 and the lush
Kent countryside, including the North Downs close by. Ashford has a plethora of schools for children of all ages, including some highly renowned ones sich as Downs View Infants, Lady Joanna Thornhill Endowed Primary and Highworth Grammar, all of which are less than three miles away from the development. These homes will be set along village lanes, with the development also boasting its own balancing pond and courtyard garden. Natalie Perry, head of sales for Barratt David Wilson Kent, says:
“We expect the homes at Chestnut Grange to prove particularly popular with those recognising the value opportunity in moving somewhere slightly further afield like this. Ashford has a particularly strong allure not only as a commuter hotspot, but because of its international links to Paris and the continent, as well as the beautiful surrounding Kentish countryside and nearby coastline.”
From: David Wilson Homes Contact: 01702 416709
and offers a range of facilities and pastimes on the doorstep of Langland Place, including churches, pubs, a village hall, a marina village and several sports clubs. The village also has its own primary school, with a secondary school under five miles away. Ask the Linden Homes team about the part exchange option on this selection of spacious, highspecification family houses.
From: Linden Homes Contact: 01245 768 552
Richmond Letcombe Regis, Letcombe Regis, Oxfordshire From £245,000 This retirement village scheme has created a delightful community set in 36 acres on the edge of the North Wessex Downs and just a few miles from Wantage, Abingdon and Swindon. Launched in 2010, this particular development has subsequently won a host of awards for its standards of accommodation and facilities, including a WhatHouse? Gold Award for Best Retirement Development. The village provides a range of independent living and assisted care apartments suiting a spectrum of retirees and their requirements and lifestyles. The buildings are set
within an attractive landscape with lakeside gardens, a nature reserve and a central bowling green. All residents have the opportunity to share the facilities provided at the village, which include a wellness spa with gym, pool and treatment areas, a lakeside restaurant, library, village shop arts/crafts/IT room and guest accommodation. There are also vehicles to borrow and a driver to take residents on shopping trips and outings.
From: Richmond Villages Contact: 0808 2782 729
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26/05/2016 10:45
mortgages
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Digital lender launches UK’s first ‘mobile’ mortgage Atom, a new UK bank, has launched a new mortgage range that allows users to apply for a mortgage digitally through a smartphone app. Nick Parkhouse reports…
O
n e of the UK’s new ‘challenger banks’ has become the first to launch a mortgage that you can apply for via an app. Atom Bank has put the entire mortgage application process in a smartphone app, starting what some have called a ‘technological revolution’ in the industry. Atom Bank launched in April 2016, offering fixed-term savings accounts and loans for small and medium sized businesses. Now, it has launched a residential mortgage range that allows you to apply via an app. While you can apply and follow the progress of your mortgage application through the app, you will still be referred to a traditional mortgage broker to help you find the most
suitable mortgage for you. Once that is done, you can log into the Atom Bank app using face and voice recognition, allowing you to track your mortgage application from your phone. All updates and communication come via the app and you can accept your mortgage offer electronically. Atom’s chief executive Mark Mullen says: “Buying a home can be hugely exciting, but banks are playing with people’s dreams when they make the process so difficult. We want to change this – it should be a positive experience. “Old legacy processes that are institutionalised at the traditional banks simply don’t exist at Atom because we’ve built this bank from scratch. We can offer mortgages that are great value, and a service that is
fast, informative and transparent. This is genuinely a revolution in mortgage lending.” The digital-only bank is aiming its services at borrowers who are struggling with a traditional bank, for example contractors, retired people, the self-employed and those looking for shared ownership or to buy a new-build property.Atom has also announced plans to offer buy-to-let mortgages in the coming months. If you want to borrow up to 60% loan to value, you can fix your mortgage for two years at 1.19% or for five years at 1.89%. Both deals have a £900 product fee. If you have a 10% deposit you can benefit from a two-year fixed rate at just 1.99% or a five year fix at 2.89%. Both deals have a £900 product fee.
THE START OF A ‘TECHNICAL REVOLUTION’ IN FINANCIAL SERVICES The bank has defended its decision not to allow borrowers to apply for an Atom Bank mortgage directly, instead referring them to an independent advisor. Mullen said: “We strongly believe that offering mortgages via independent experts will give our customers the best service and the very best advice when choosing a mortgage. Our ultimate aim is to help people get what’s right for them, and for them to have the best experience along the way.” Mortgage experts believe that this
is the first step towards a ‘revolution’ in the way lenders use technology. Daniel Hegarty, who launched online mortgage broker Habito earlier this year, remarks: “We’re in the midst of a technological revolution across the entire financial services industry – application processes that used to take weeks are now taking minutes, and products that used to be opaque are becoming transparent and comprehensible to the consumer. “It’s taken the mortgage industry longer than most to come to the party, but it’s very exciting to see a new lender coming to market with a digital offering, and seeking to partner with intermediaries who can ensure that customers receive the best advice possible.”
lenders face a barrier to entering the market, leading to a limit on the choice offered to borrowers. The FCA is also worried that the advice given by brokers could be biased towards lenders who pay higher ‘procuration fees’ and other incentives.
have to refer consumers to their in-house mortgage brokers, and whether this leads to worse outcomes for consumers. The FCA said some firms had mentioned the ‘close relationships’ between housing developers and certain mortgage brokers. It also wants to explore the links between mortgage firms and price comparison websites in order to understand whether inducements were influencing how search results were ranked and displayed. Christopher Woolard, the watchdog’s executive director of strategy and competition, says:
“As a mortgage is likely to be the biggest financial commitment most people make in their lifetime, we’re keen to ensure that competition in the mortgage sector is healthy and working to the benefit of consumers.” An interim report is expected in 2017 with the final report published in early 2018. Depending on the outcome, action could range from market-wide remedies such as new rules or a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority, to measures aimed at one or more individual companies such as financial penalties.
FCA launches review into UK mortgage market A major review of the UK’s mortgage market in 2017 by the regulator will study whether competition for home loans can be improved for customers, says Nick Parkhouse
T
h e UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has announced a mortgage market review, which will examine whether the inducements between the main players in the market “leads to conflicts of interest or misaligned incentives to the detriment of customers”. The FCA has announced a review into the UK’s mortgage market to probe whether commercial relationships between mortgage lenders, brokers and other industry players result in competition not working in the best interests of borrowers.
One of the key areas that the regulator will consider is whether the inducements paid by lenders to mortgage brokers may influence advice. The FCA will also look into payments and incentives offered by brokers to estate agents and developers, and payments made to third parties including price comparison websites. The FCA says that inducements paid by banks and building societies – called ‘procuration fees’ and worth several hundred pounds each – “may influence brokers’ advice and limit the number of lenders both on their panel, and those that they recommend.” This limit could mean that some
FCA TO CONSIDER INCENTIVES PAID BY ESTATE AGENTS, PRICE COMPARISON SITES AND DEVELOPERS The regulator will also consider the incentives that estate agents
10 development of the month
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T H R E E S U P E R L AT I V E H O M E S AT H I L L B R O W Situated in one of the most sought-after addresses in Hove.
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development of the month 11
Built with meticulous attention to detail, each home features 4,000 square feet of wonderful living space, with bi-fold doors, luxurious wet room bathrooms, sociable breakfast bars and stunning bedrooms with the master suites featuring dedicated living space and adjoining study/nursery. These magnificent homes are further enhanced with the very latest highspecification technology; each of the properties has an extensive array of built-in Smeg appliances within the carefully designed kitchens, and the luxurious bathrooms all feature Villeroy and Boch sanitaryware. Combine such features with a Premier warranty and a commitment to the very best in customer service, and a prospective home purchase doesn’t get much better.
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Renowned for creating small developments in prime locations, the developer is unveiling a new collection of three palatial, five-bedroom detached properties at Hill Brow, which sits in the highly sought-after area of Hove Park.
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london
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13
Westminster and Pimlico
DOES THIS MEAN PROPERTY PRICES ARE RISING? New developments and improved lifestyle benefits are creating a high-value prime market that offers a credible alternative to its more expensive neighbours. In the 12 months to July 2016 the average sale price for
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Flats are far more dominant that houses, so demand for houses when they come to market is high, often regardless of market conditions. The mansion flats of Westminster offer lateral space, whilst the much soughtafter townhouses provide room to grow. As the residential market in the area expands, we may see increased demand for more spacious property, particularly as the nature of buyer perhaps moves from a discretionary, domestic second home user to a more varied owner-occupier.
WHO IS THE PREDOMINANT BUYER? There is a high level of second-home
ARE RENTERS LARGELY OVERSEAS OR UK? There is strong international demand with non-UK tenants accounting for 69% of the market. Tenants in Pimlico are particularly attracted to the stock of older properties and those surrounding the picturesque garden squares. The largest proportion of UK buyers and tenants has consistently been moving from within the borough of Westminster. The redevelopment should see an uplift in rental values and demand from young professionals working for companies in the area. Find out more at www.savills.com; 020 3430 6860
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IS THE HOUSING STOCK CHANGING TOO?
buying. Between 2014 and 2016, over three-quarters of prime buyers were purchasing an additional property, compared to an average of 55% across the whole of prime central London. With recent changes to stamp duty aimed at tempering buy-to-let activity, and increasing conversion of commercial units to residential in the area, the proportion of buyers purchasing a main residence could be set to increase as the residential market expands.
ent prop m
This month, Matthew Morton-Smith, head of sales at Savills, discusses the changing face of Westminster and Pimlico
Westminster and Pimlico is set to become the next coveted area of prime central London. Redevelopment around Victoria and along the river is creating a new place to live rather than just work and attracting new residents into a broad range of property styles. Victoria’s transformation is providing new amenities, good transport links and continued commercial investment. The final piece of the large-scale development is the flagship scheme Nova by Land Securities. Completing in early 2017 it will deliver 170 private homes and create a new restaurant quarter. There are 17 developments under construction across Westminster and Pimlico providing 900 homes with many more in the pipeline.
Westminster was only £1.40m compared to Belgravia’s £2.38m, according to the Land Registry. Pimlico provides even better value with an average price of £970k over the same period. That said, the market has felt the effects of increased stamp duty for higher-value properties introduced from December 2014. As a result, we expect these areas to remain price sensitive over the short to medium term as the additional costs are absorbed into the market.
ng retire tti
– a buyer’s guide
IS THE AREA BECOMING MORE RESIDENTIAL
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11/11/2016 12:10
london
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The secret’s out... Developer unveils luxury maisonettes at Islington scheme
E
ight stylish new maisonettes have been launched in north London as part of the landmark Islington Square development, a joint venture between Sager Group and Cain Hoy. These generously sized family homes, priced from £2.45m are all set over two floors, with seven of them featuring the entrance on the upper level, with two of the three bedrooms, with a master bedroom downstairs with the living area. The other, the largest of the collection, has a guest bedroom and main living space upstairs, with two bedroom suites on the lower storey. Giris Rabinovitch, CEO of Sager Group, says: “The modern maisonettes at Islington Square were a well-kept secret within our development that we are now ready to reveal. These homes, which are unique, boast an innovative
layout with an abundance of outdoor space, all come with an internal courtyard and garden – making them the perfect family home. We have been working closely with [interior designer] Wish London on the design and finish of these exquisite homes; they are a one-off.” Interiors features include bespoke design Italian kitchens, Corian white worktops, Carrara Marble splashback wall and A-grade appliances, with walk-in wardrobes to the master suite and gorgeous baths and shower units. Outside, the design is focused on alfresco dining alongside a mini herb garden and bamboo planting. Caroline Smith, creative director at Wish London, adds: “The maisonettes at Islington Square are very different to other units available at the development as such, they command a very different interior and feel. While they are still housed
in the extraordinary former Edwardian warehouse, these modern maisonettes are ideal for families and the layouts reflect this. This is why we have introduced quirky finishes, including feature walls, 3D tiling and exposed, brick-tiled walls.” The development mixes restored heritage buildings, including a huge former sorting office, with daring new build designs, and complements the new residential units with 170,000 sq ft of retail/commercial facilities including a boutique cinema, shops, cafés, restaurants and a Third Space health club. All this new choice stands alongside the established variety of shopping, fashion and leisure on vibrant Upper Street, which also benefits from excellent transport connections across the capital. Find out more at www.savills.com; 020 3430 6860
L&Q announces plans to deliver 25,000 Private Rented Sector homes
Barking Riverside masterplan
Tenants extra
Leading London developer plans thousands of new private rented sector homes
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e veloper L&Q has announced its ambitions to deliver 25,000 new private rented sector (PRS) properties over the next few years, representing 25% of the organisation’s vision to create 100,000 new homes in and around the capital. The housing association has already developed a PRS portfolio of 1,436 properties to date, with a short-term pipeline of 2,163 homes in the sector currently in development or planning. Among its achievements in 2016 were Thurston Point, at 238 units L&Q’s largest dedicated PRS development to date and now 100% let, and the launch of 100 more PRS homes at Stadium Place, the regeneration of
Walthamstow Dog Stadium, and over 200 properties at The City Mills, its landmark regeneration project for Haggerston. The bulk of the new homes planned will be in London, with further schemes aimed at Milton Keynes, Cambridge and other towns and cities. Build on the majority of schemes in the projected pipeline will delivered by Quadrant Construction, a subsidiary of L&Q, alongside a number of high profile joint ventures and partnerships to be formally announced. Among plans already in place is a joint venture with developer Ballymore at Royal Wharf, riverside development near Silvertown, east London, where L&Q will launch over 200 PRS units, and the first 100 PRS
properties at Barking Riverside, one of Europe’s largest housing projects and one where some 3,000 of the 10,800 planned new homes will be in the PRS sector. Diane Hart, group director for PRS at L&Q, says: “With a 55-year history in delivering high-quality housing, L&Q’s ambition is to deliver many thousands more PRS units to make us one of the UK’s largest providers in the sector. We have already established a significant portfolio in a relatively short time, including large-scale new build schemes, joint ventures and converted street properties. L&Q understands that homes matter, and aims to deliver a good quality, value, no nonsense PRS product that meets peoples’ needs.”
L&Q has announced an ambition to deliver 25,000 Private Rented Sector (PRS) units, working in partnership with key partners and stakeholders. This represents 25% of the organisation’s vision to create 100,000 new homes. With estimates that a quarter of the housing stock in London is privately rented, the housing association has already developed a PRS portfolio of 1,436 properties to date, with a short term pipeline of 2,163 homes in the sector currently in development or planning. The bulk of the new homes will be in London, alongside some schemes in Milton Keynes, Cambridge and beyond. Build on the majority of schemes in the projected pipeline will delivered by Quadrant Construction, a subsidiary of L&Q, alongside a number of high profile joint ventures. Diane Hart – Group Director for PRS at L&Q, comments “With a 55 year history in delivering high quality housing, L&Q’s ambition is to deliver many thousands more PRS units to make us one of the UK’s largest providers in the sector. We have already established a significant portfolio in a relatively short time, including large scale new build schemes, JVs and converted street properties. L&Q understands that homes matter, and aims to deliver a good quality, value, no nonsense PRS product that meets peoples’ needs.” In 2016, L&Q completed
Diane Hart, L&Q’s group director for PRS
Thurston Point, its largest dedicated PRS development to date, of 238 homes, which are now let. Subsequently, it launched 100 PRS homes at Stadium Place, the regeneration of Walthamstow Dog Stadium, and over 200 properties at The City Mills, L&Q’s landmark regeneration project for Haggerston. For 2017, significant sites include Royal Wharf, a joint venture with Ballymore, where L&Q will launch over 200 PRS units. At Barking Riverside, one of Europe’s largest housing projects, L&Q will launch the first 100 PRS units in early 2017, with a total of c. 3,000 PRS units included in the overall 10,800 home master plan.
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1, 2 & 3 bed homes from £422,500 to £949,995
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Greenwich Millennium Village is a joint venture with Taylor Wimpey Central London in association with the Mayor of London, Acton Gardens is a joint venture with L&Q and The Mount is a joint venture with Annington. *London Help to Buy is subject to availability and status on properties up to a maximum purchase price of £600,000, terms and conditions apply, please ask a Sales Consultant for more details. Prices and information correct at time of going to print. January 2017.
We have a superb range of brand new homes in London, offering you the very best of city living, built to our award‑winning standards. On properties costing up to £600,000, why not take advantage of London Help to Buy*, where you can buy with a 5% deposit and receive a 40% interest-free Government loan*, which is twice the amount you could receive when buying outside London.
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18 london
For the latest on the property market
London new homes round-up –
the best new builds in the capital’s property market
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ew homes is London are still leading those across the UK when it comes to price growth, according to the latest figures from property experts LSL. The LSL New Build Index to the end of August showed an average annual price increase across Greater London of 9.1% to the end of August 2016, down fractionally from 10.1% across the previous 12 months. It remains the leading region (of 10) across Great Britain, significantly ahead of the South East in second place (+7.4%) and the East Midlands in third (+7.1%), and way above the national average (+4.2%). This fairly steady figure is starkly contrasted by behaviour in the super prime sector, where property finders London Central Portfolio (LCP) saw only nine residential properties with more than £5m sold in the six months following the Brexit vote. Naomi Heaton, CEO of LCP says: “Developers have been particularly
affected by the new landscape with only nine properties sold above £5m, a staggering 83% fall compared with last year. With these top-end sales typically offsetting the cost of providing more modest housing and essential cashflow to reinvest into new development, the Chancellor may well struggle to deliver upon his new affordable housing targets as developers begin to face losses.” Following the government’s Autumn Statement, which brought a few changes for the new homes market in this country, mayor Sadiq Khan announced his own proposals for London’s unique housing position, in particular at the lower end of the market. He aims to bring the number of ‘affordable’ homes built across all tenures up to in excess of 35% of all properties built, with Transport for London sites featuring heavily in his plans to expand the number of homes available. The WhatHouse? team picks our top new build homes for sale in London across a wide budget range:
2 Kew Bridge in Kew, Hounslow (Albany Homes) This 18th-century building has undergone extension restoration to be converted into a collection of apartments on the Brentford side of the Thames, part of the Strand-onthe-Green Conservation Area, with a mix of one-, two- and threebedroom units to choose from. King George III was one of those to have dined in this building, which was once the Star & Garter Hotel. Barry Angel, executive chairman of The Albany Group, says: “We are delighted to launch the new collection of apartments at 2 Kew Bridge. The fantastic location, between Kew, Chiswick and Richmond, is ideal for those who want a London home which benefits from a village lifestyle, yet offers excellent connections
into central London. The River Thames views are second to none, making this a truly special and rare opportunity to own a new home at this boutique scheme.” Visitors to the new two-bedroom show apartment will see the level of specification to expect across all 35 flats, including underfloor heating, triple-glazed windows, German fitted kitchen and fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom. On top of all this are the great views of the river and proximity to the shops, bars and station (just 28 minutes into Waterloo). Help to Buy London is available on selected plots. Prices: F rom £445,000 Find out more at www.2kewbridge.com; 020 8940 7676 (Featherstone Leigh)
Bakery Place in Clapham, Wandsworth (West Eleven)
Novia House in Barnet (Kebbell Homes) This mix of one-, two- and threebedroom apartments was recently launched, with the initial batch, like all the properties here, available using the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which requires buyers to provide a deposit of just 5%. All are bought with a parking space included in the price, a boon in many parts of the capital. Andrea Fawell, sales and marketing manager at Kebbell Homes, says: “The new homes at Novia House are the epitome of style and luxury in a fantastic town centre location just behind the high street. Interest in these apartments
This unusual gated development off Lavender Hill has converted a rundown Victorian bakery into a mix of dwellings, each with a bespoke design that combines the period architecture with 21st-century expectations of interior design, layout and specification. There are two-bedroom mews houses each named after their original uses, from ‘The Stables’ to ‘The Granary’, with bedrooms are set across the lower ground, and The Bakehouse has been transformed into seven spacious oneand two-bedroom apartments with features such as exposed brick walls and cast iron columns. There’s a three-bedroom apartment atop this building with a private roof terrace with views down to the River Thames. Will Herrmann, CEO of developer West Eleven, says of the scheme: “The possibilities for this incredible site were immediately
has already been sky high and we envisage that it will not be long until all the homes have been snapped up.” This development is close to the heart of Barnet, which is well served by shops, cafés and bars. Tube-based commuters are just a 15-minute walk away from High Barnet station, at the end of the Northern Line, while those relying on the roads will appreciate proximity to the M1, M25 and A1(M). Prices: £320,000 Find out more at www.kebbell.co.uk; 0845 130 2188
obvious. It is a sensational building, full of character — no two aspects are the same. High, vaulted ceilings, wrought iron columns, glazed bricks, a Victorian cobbled mews overlooked by Juliette balconies; it’s a distinctive piece of London that could be deep in the Shires. “We have no desire to build identikit boxes. At West Eleven, we look for opportunities where we can create something special, leaving a positive mark on a neighbourhood. We believe developments should complement and reflect their surroundings, drawing from and amplifying what is good. We want to create cutting-edge, well planned, functioning homes that are better than the ordinary.” Prices: From £625,000 Find out more at www.bakeryplace.london; 020 3430 6920
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Eden Place in Cricklewood, Barnet (Network Homes) Having won a multitude of plaques at this year’s WhatHouse? Awards, Network Homes is continuing its ambitious growth with a new collection of Shared Ownership homes at a development on the site of the old Hendon Football Club ground. Eden Place has nine Shared Ownership apartments which still back on to leafy Citterhouse playing fields. Buyers have a choice of oneand two-bedroom properties, each of which has its own outdoor space as a balcony or terrace. Vicky Savage, executive director of development at Network Homes, says: “We are delighted to offer this new collection of high-quality, well-designed homes in area that is undergoing positive change. The combination of outside space, sleek specification and excellent transport links is one rarely found at this price point, putting home ownership within reach of Londoners on normal salaries.” These homes are equidistant from Brent Cross and Hendon Central underground stations, with the Northern line providing access to central London in less than 30 minutes. There are national rail services from Cricklewood station into London King’s Cross, taking 12 minutes. Prices: From £86,250 (25% share) Find out more at www.networkliving.co.uk; 0844 880 0730
Harrow
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City North in Finsbury Park, Islington (Telford Homes)
Belvedere Gardens at Southbank Place, Waterloo, Lambeth (Canary Wharf Group/Qatari Diar) Situated adjacent to the famous Shell Centre, set between Waterloo and the London Eye, Southbank Place will provide 350 luxury apartments to central position in the capital. Belvedere Gardens is the third phase and has already proved popular, with over 50% of its 97 apartments sold to date. The marketing suite for this prestigious development is within the Grade II listed County Hall, the former home of the Greater London Council and now home to the London Aquarium, among other things. Inside, buyers can see a compact version of the spacious apartments, demonstrating the detailed luxury specification that each home will benefit from. The development will also provide five-star exclusive spa, gym and pool facilities as well as a host
of other residents-only features. Brian De’ath, head of residential sales at Canary Wharf Group, says: “The development has been hugely popular with a wide range of purchasers from those looking for a principal residence to a prime London pied-à-terre.” Richard Oakes, sales and marketing director, Europe, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company adds: “There has been an exceptional response to Southbank Place from purchasers. From the outset we’ve wanted to offer more people the chance to live in this coveted residential development, and to be a part of London South Bank’s community.” Prices: From £1.05m Find out more at www.southbank-place.com; 020 7001 3600
The developer launched this 307unit project in November, a major part of the regeneration of Finsbury Park, which will provide an array of studios and one-, two-, threeand four-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses right on the doorstep of the station, one of the most important in this part of London. It’s also opposite Finsbury Park itself, a much-loved open space in Islington. This development will see two 23-storey towers and two low-rise blocks, in addition to a range of commercial spaces to bring new business to the area. Residents will be able to exclusively use a 24hour concierge service and a large roof garden, which accommodates a WiFi lounge, while the site will also bring publicly available amenities such as a fitness centre, supermarket, cinema and piazza. David Campbell, group sales and marketing director at Telford Homes, says: “We are expecting interest in City North across a wide range of buyers, including families and current Finsbury Park residents, along with young professionals who commute into central London, due to its fantastic location and excellent connectivity.” Prices: From £450,000 Find out more at www.telfordhomes.london; 020 538 3394
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Prospect East in Stratford, Newham (East Thames Group) The new townhouses released on this development comprise six four-bedroom homes, given a contemporary design twist to this period property type. Tony Harker, East Thames’ director of sales and marketing, says: “Today townhouses are becoming extremely popular with modern families. The townhouses at Prospect East are a perfect example of this, demonstrating that buying a large family home in an appealing Zone 2 location within London is an affordable reality.” These properties offer spacious living space set out over three storeys, including two separate terraces off the second floor and four good-sized
This development takes its inspiration from one of the many artists connected with this cosmopolitan part of south London, using the butterfly hallmark of Damien Hurst, which also has another local connection, with the Camberwell Beauty species having been discovered and named in the area in the 18th century. Buyers have a choice of one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments here, each with a private balcony and the security of a video entry system. The often-overlooked area is undergoing significant changes and
Merton Bromley Sutton
Croydon
Prices: From £789,950 Find out more at www.prospecteast.co.uk; 020 8003 1718
regeneration, but it retains its arty connections with a host of local talent hard at work across visual and performing arts. It’s home to the Camberwell Arts Festival and the Blue Elephant Theatre, among other venues, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and bars reflecting a mix of cultures settled into the area. Oval station is the nearest, providing Northern Line connections to the centre of London. Prices: From £375,000 Find out more at hydenewhomes.co.uk; 0345 606 1221
Lennard Road in West Croydon (Family Mosaic)
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bedrooms, with the master bedroom having an en suite and built-in wardrobes and one bedroom taking up the whole of the top floor. Ideal family homes, these properties are close to the London Academy of Excellence, which recently achieved the best A-Level results in the borough, with 86% of all grades awarded A*-B. Commuters will appreciate only a 10-minute walk to Stratford’s transport hub, with bus, Tube, Overground, national rail and High Speed services.
Wing in Camberwell, Southwark (Hyde New Homes)
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Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes
With open-market prices beyond many London would-be homebuyers, the government’s Shared Ownership scheme is a fantastic option, though availability can often be shortlived on these properties due to high demand. There are 17 such apartments on this block, each with a professionally designed fitted kitchen
and a private balcony. Transport links are excellent from this part of the borough, with West Croydon station just four minutes from home at Lennard Road providing a wide range of routes into and across central London. There’s also a Tramlink stop a short stroll away, with connections across south London. Shops, entertainment and leisure are all within easy reach too, including Wandlw Park, Beddington Park and Park Hill Park. Prices: From £87,000 (30% share) Find out more at www.familymosaicsales.co.uk
Modern living in prime locations throughout London, the South of England and Wales Acorn Property Group offers carefully thought out, bespoke, high quality new homes for sale and have further developments coming soon to a number of fantastic locations. LONDON
Edison Works, Crouch End N8 8AE 1 bed apartments & 3 bed houses From £500,000 to £950,000
Hepple & White, Long Lane SE1 4BS 3 bed Georgian townhouse £2,400,000
Station House, Muswell Hill Nine 2, 3 & 4 bed homes Coming Soon
North Quay, Weymouth Apartments with marina views Subject to Planning
Harbour Lofts, Poole Waterside apartments Subject to Planning
HAMPSHIRE
The Penthouses, Bournemouth Five 2 bed duplex penthouses Launching Feb 2017
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Regional offices in: Images used for illustrative purposes only. Prices and timings correct at time of print.
• LONDON
• HAMPSHIRE
BRISTOL
Water’s Edge, Taunton TA11QA Only 4 remaining. 2 & 4 beds From £190,000 to £350,000
The Gardens at Hope House, Bath Four luxury 4 bed houses From £1,650,000 to £1,750,000
Cubis Bruton, Somerset BA10 0AF 1, 2, 3 & 4 bed homes in Bruton Coming Soon
Horizon, Ogmore-by-Sea Seven 2 bed coastal apartments Guide price from £330,000
Bookers Edge, Hay-on-Wye 2, 3 & 4 bed homes Coming Soon
Old Station Master’s House, Fowey 1 - 3 bed apartments & duplexes Guide price from £300,000
The Dunes, Perranporth 1, 2, 3 & 4 bed beachside homes Coming Soon
CARDIFF
Cathedral House, Cardiff CF11 9HB Five 2 bed apartments Coming Soon
CORNWALL
The Carracks, St Ives TR26 3AL 3 & 4 bed houses From £295,000
To view our full portfolio of developments, please visit our website. • BRISTOL
Acorn Property Group 020 8341 2222 sales@acornpg.org Twitter - @AcornPG www.acornpropertygroup.org
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22 sussex
For the latest on the property market
Show business
Show home in Henfield offers investment opportunity for risk averse landlords…
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t’s a turbulent time in the lettings market at the moment and as online lettings agent Upad predicts tenant arrears to be the biggest problem for landlords in 2017 as rents soar, many buy-to-let investors might be wondering about their next move.
Barratt Homes is encouraging any investor who might be looking for a ‘less risky’ investment to consider purchasing a brand new show home at one of their new homes developments through its popular ‘sale-andleaseback’ scheme The popular sale-and-leaseback.
scheme allows an investor to purchase the housebuilders prime plot at any of its developments and lease it back to Barratt Homes for an agreed fixed term. Allowing the investor to earn a monthly rental yield of up to 6%* for this time with Barratt as the tenant, the property is then returned to the
Agent insight
We speak to James Britton partner at Roger Coupe one of the leading estate agents on the West Sussex border What effect has the Heathrow runway decision over Gatwick had on the local market now that there won’t be disruption and noise concerns? It’s not something that we have noticed in all honesty. If the extra runway had been announced for Gatwick then there might have been a concern prices would be affected in specific areas, so I think it is fair to say the decision for Heathrow is better for local residents here. If sellers were worried that the uncertainty was going to impact the saleability of their house then they may have chosen to put their plans on hold until now. Likewise, if buyers had been concerned by the potential impact, then they too would now be more willing to commit. What are the main advantages for the local area with Gatwick on its doorstep? The convenience for international travel is fantastic and must be one of the main advantages. In the more immediate area to Gatwick, the
benefits to the local economy come through jobs and employment. Has the local market experienced a lack of confidence following Brexit and if yes is this receding? There was a momentary blip in confidence, it lasted four to six weeks after the decision in this area before people realised the market was not going to change overnight (if at all) and people started moving ahead with their plans as they would have done otherwise. It was a frustrating time. I think the media’s desperation to sell papers meant there was an awful lot of scaremongering going on. Do you think there should be more new development in the area? If the new developments are selling as quickly as they are being built then arguably there is a need for new homes. We are handling a development by Thakeham Homes in Rudgwick and the interest since launching the properties for sale has been phenomenal, with reservations being made on over 70% of the 15 homes already.
We are about to see some major development by Berkeley Homes, CALA Homes and Crest Nicholson which will see a further 800 plus houses being built. This may not seem a lot in comparison to other areas, but it is significant as a percentage of the total properties, and it will be interesting to see the demand when they are built. Who is your main buyer and why? In the Sussex/Surrey border villages we do not see one profile of buyer outnumber another. We see a real mix from first-time buyers and young families right up to retirees and elderly people who are downsizing. I think that’s what makes it such a great area to live in. What are average prices for homes? Detached houses are around £845,000; semi-detached, £470,000; terraced, £360,000 and apartments are on average £265,000. Find out more at Roger Coup www.rogercoupe.com; 01483 268555
buyer in an immaculate condition, as if it were brand new. During the tenancy, Barratt will use the property as a marketing tool to sell the homes at the development. With several new show homes available to buy throughout West Sussex, Barratt is encouraging investors who are looking to expand their property portfolio to find out more. For example, in Henfield, at Barratt Homes’ Bishop Park development in West Sussex, a beautiful four-bedroom family home is available through its sale-andleaseback scheme for £539,995 for a two-year fixed period and a guaranteed annual rental yield of 6%. Lynnette St Quintin, sales and marketing director for Barratt Southern Counties, says: “Essentially, Barratt acts as the tenant, meaning that landlord doesn’t need to worry about collecting rent or renewing a lease every six months. We look after the property as if it is our own and due to the fact that we use it to market the rest of the homes at the development, we will ensure that it is kept in pristine condition. “In addition, the show home has been professionally styled by an
@What_House
interior designer and are finished to a very high specification and many of the fixtures and fittings will come as part of the price on handover.” After the agreed time, the show home is returned to the buyer and they can then make the property available on the open rental market. The earlier on the in process that the investor purchases the property, the longer they will be able to secure the guaranteed rental income from the housebuilder. Lynnette adds: “Obviously, the tenancy comes to an end after an agreed time but most of our show home investors find these properties are then snapped up quickly by highquality tenants, given their immaculate condition and sought-after position at the development. We have actually found that some of our investors love the property so much that they end up moving in themselves.” Complete with ensuites, private garage and flexible living spaces, the stylish show home at Bishop Park would make the ideal home for a family looking to rent. Find out more at www.barratthomes.co.uk; 01239 300015
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ZP0418 WhatHouse CS - 3rd.indd 1
21/04/2016 11:24
HOMESWEETHOME
londonpropertyreview.co.uk
WhatHouse Ad.indd 1
You can download every issue of South free of charge to read on your favourite device 01/09/2016 09:39
WhatHouse? Awards
Every one’s a winner… T h e largest event in UK housebuilding has ended with Churchill Retirement Living being crowned WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year 2016, in front of 1,700 industry peers at the Grosvenor House Hotel this afternoon. The specialist developer, which builds around 500 homes per year exclusively for people aged 55 and above, also picked up the Medium Housebuilder title and a Silver for Best Retirement Development. Berkeley Homes was named Best Large Housebuilder (those building more than 1,000 new homes over 12 months) in addition to four other Awards, with Spitfire Bespoke Homes handed the Gold in Best Small Housebuilder (for those completing under 100 new homes annually). Trivselhus by Esh took the title of Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year, while Network Homes, which won a Gold and Bronze for starter homes schemes in Greater London, took the title of Housing Association of the Year. Last year’s Housebuilder of the Year Hill, which has seen a very busy last 12 months, narrowly missed out on retaining the crown, but still won a Silver for Best Medium Housebuilder, Bronze for Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year and Golds for Best House and Best Development. In all, the Gala Luncheon in the Great Room of the five-star Park Lane hotel saw the independent judging panel name Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in 19 categories before the Housebuilder of the Year was announced by host William Hague, former leader of the Conservative Party and Foreign Secretary. Other major winners, all with awards across three different categories, included Crest Nicholson, (Best House, Best Partnership Scheme, Best Mixed-Use Scheme), London Square (Best Medium Housebuilder, Best Luxury Development, Best Mixed-Use Scheme) and Audley Retirement (Best Medium Housebuilder, Best Retirement Development, Best Interior Design). Rupert Bates, editorial director of Whathouse.com and head of the judging panel, says: “The industry has many challenges ahead, but for now let us celebrate the best new homes in Britain. We would like to thank all the housebuilders, suppliers and other industry colleagues who have once again supported this great event.”
Here’s the full list of winners from this year’s WhatHouse? Awards:
HOUSEBUILDER OF THE YEAR Churchill Retirement Living
BEST LARGE HOUSEBUILDER – SPONSORED BY ROCA
Gold: Berkeley Homes Silver: Redrow Homes Silver: CALA Homes Bronze: Barratt Developments
BEST MEDIUM HOUSEBUILDER
– SPONSORED BY N+C Gold: Churchill Retirement Living Silver: Hill Silver: City & Country Group Bronze: Audley Retirement Bronze: London Square
BEST SMALL HOUSEBUILDER – SPONSORED BY JABLITE
Gold: Spitfire Bespoke Homes Silver: Metis Homes Bronze: Wyatt Homes Bronze: Langton Homes
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY NHBC Gold: Trivselhus by Esh Silver: Linden Homes Bronze: Hill
HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY WHAT HOUSE DIGITAL
Gold: Network Homes Silver: NU Living/Swan Housing Association Bronze: Peabody Trust Bronze: Sentinel Housing Association
Silver: Kier Living, Balaam Wood, Birmingham Bronze: Network Homes, Lime Walk, Wembley, London
BEST HOUSE
– SPONSORED BY NOLTE KITCHENS Gold: Hill, ‘The Longstowe’, Ninewells, Cambridge Silver: Turnwood, Park View, Chesterton, Cambridge Silver: Millgate, Sundridge Park, Bromley, London Bronze: Crest Nicholson, The Villas, Bath Riverside, Somerset Bronze: Fruition Properties, Merchant Terrace, Hammersmith, London W12
BEST APARTMENT
– SPONSORED BY WARWICK ESTATES Gold: Ipsus Developments, Ipsus 08, Blackfriars, London Silver: A2Dominion/FABRICA, City Wharf, London N1 Bronze: Berkeley Homes, One Tower Bridge, London SE1 Bronze: Berkeley Homes, Abell & Cleland House, London SW1
BEST LUXURY HOUSE
– SPONSORED BY ALEXANDER JAMES Gold: Huntsmere, ‘Franklyn’, Alderley Edge, Cheshire Silver: Octagon, ‘High Ridge’, Oxshott, Surrey Silver: Henley Homes, 20 Linksway, Northwood, London Bronze: Aspire, Kings Chase, Oxshott, Surrey
BEST RENOVATION
BEST STARTER HOME SCHEME
– SPONSORED BY JACKSON-STOPS & STAFF
Gold: Network Homes, The Junction, London SW9 Gold: St Modwen, Glan Llyn, Newport, Wales
Gold: City & Country Group, The Mansion Apartments, King Edward VII Estate, Midhurst, West Sussex Silver: Thomas Homes, Old Railway Quarter, Swindon, Wiltshire
– SPONSORED BY SKY
Bronze: Esquire Developments, Hazells Farm, Northfleet Green, Kent
BEST DEVELOPMENT – SPONSORED BY BEKO
Gold: Hill, Ninewells, Cambridge Silver: Durkan Estates, The Academy, Woolwich, London Bronze: Developing London, Clock House Gardens, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire Bronze: Millgate, Woolley Hall, Maidenhead, Berkshire
BEST PARTNERSHIP SCHEME – SPONSORED BY THOMAS GRAY
Gold: Crest Nicholson, Park Central, Birmingham Silver: Hill, Ilan Square, Hackney, London E5 Bronze: St James, Vauxhall City Farm, London SE11
BEST LUXURY DEVELOPMENT – SPONSORED BY LAUFEN
Gold: London Square, Star & Garter, Richmond, London Silver: Millgate, Englemere, Ascot, Berkshire Bronze: Berkeley Homes, One Tower Bridge, London SE1
BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
Silver: Anchor, Hampshire Lakes, Yateley, Hampshire Silver: Churchill, Hawthorn Lodge, Farnham, Surrey Bronze: McCarthy & Stone, Constance Place, Knebworth, Hertfordshire
BEST REGENERATION SCHEME – SPONSORED BY KERRY LONDON
Gold: Berkeley Homes, Woodberry Down, London N4 Silver: Miller Homes, Varsity North, Edinburgh Silver: Network Homes, Park Heights, Stockwell, London Bronze: Bower Mapson, The Buttercross, Witney, Oxfordshire Bronze: Inspired Homes, Green Dragon House, Croydon, London
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN
– SPONSORED BY GREEN LIGHTING Gold: Audley Retirement, Audley Chalfont Dene, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire Silver: Oakmayne Bespoke, The Fitzbourne, Marylebone, London W1 Bronze: Telford Homes, ‘The Triplex Penthouse’, Parliament House, London SE11 Bronze: London Square, Star & Garter, Richmond, London
– SPONSORED BY ALDERMORE
BEST EXTERIOR DESIGN
Gold: Quartermile Developments, Quartermile, Edinburgh Gold: St George, Fulham Reach, Hammersmith, London Silver: London Square, London Square Putney, London Bronze: Crest Nicholson, Harbourside, Bristol
Gold: A2Dominion/FABRICA, City Wharf, London N1 Silver: Hill, Ilan Square, Hackney, London E5 Bronze: David Wilson Homes, Leathfield Park, Godalming, Surrey
BEST RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT
– SPONSORED BY SHOW HOUSE Gold: Audley Retirement, Audley Chalfont Dene, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire
– SPONSORED BY IBSTOCK
BEST PUBLIC REALM –
SPONSORED BY TCL Gold: Berkeley Homes, Goodmans Fields, London E1
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whathouse? awards
27
Reaction stations! 2016 saw another triumphant year for many housebuilders and developers – here are comments from a few of the winners and what their WhatHouse? Award means to them…
T aking the Gold award for Best Small Housebuilder was Spitfire. David Jervis, managing director of Spitfire says: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been won the Gold award in the Best Small Housebuilder category at the WhatHouse? Awards. We always aim to build beautiful, bespoke homes in outstanding locations, designed to create vibrant places which residents can enjoy for many years to come.”
First-time entrants Metis Homes took Silver for Best Small Housebuilder, and Adam O’Brien, managing director of Metis Homes, says: “This is the first time that Metis has entered the WhatHouse? Awards and we are very proud that a judging panel of industry experts and peers has recognised the substantial progress we have made as a business in a relatively short period of time. It is a huge endorsement.”
Hill had an incredibly successful year, winning Silver for Best Medium Housebuilder and Bronze for Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year, as well as two Golds for its Ninewells development; Best House and Best Development, and two Silvers for its Ilan Square scheme in Hackney; Best Partnership Scheme and Best Exterior Design. Andy Hill, chief executive at Hill, says: “We are so proud that all of our developments are bespoke and designed to fit their unique locations, and it is this attention to detail which is setting us apart from our peers. It is the driven, talented and determined people behind the Hill brand who are responsible for winning these awards.”
Taking Silver for Best Luxury House was Octagon. Tim Banks, finance director for Octagon, says: “We were all thrilled with the Silver gong – the house is one of the first we’ve completed with so many high-tech elements.”
The Gold award for Best Renovation for the second year running was City & Country. Helen Moore, managing director at City & Country, says: “As specialists in restoration and conversion, we are particularly delighted that our work at King Edward VII Estate has been recognised for two years running with a Gold Award.”
Lynnette St Quintin, the sales director for David Wilson Homes Southern Counties who collected the Bronze Award for the Best Exterior Design, says: “It was a fantastic result for the team to pick up another prestigious award for the range of quality homes at the highly attractive Leithfield Park. Winning a Bronze at the WhatHouse? awards for Best Exterior Design puts this development as one of the best in the country.”
Millgate also had an impressive year, taking Silver for Best House for the company’s Sundridge Park development in Bromley, another Silver for Englemere in Ascot in the Best Luxury Development and Bronze for Best Development for Woolley Hall in Maidenhead. Jonathan Cranley, sales and marketing director at Millgate, says: “To win one award would be a great achievement, but to win three awards for our flagship sites, Englemere, Woolley Hall and Sundridge Park is a fantastic accomplishment.”
Mani Khiroya, managing director of Fruition Properties, says of this year’s Bronze Award win in the competitive Best House category: “We are absolutely delighted Merchant Terrace has been recognised as a winner in the Best House category. The award is further testament to our desire to build innovative and inspiring homes across London.”
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first-time buyers
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29
You’re not alone
Government schemes, and some bespoke initiatives, are making the first move easier for thousands
B
uying your first home is never entirely easy, unless you are very lucky, but in recent years there have been a number of ways in which the government and the UK’s housebuilders have worked in order to give some genuine assistance to firsttime buyers in what is often the most tricky aspect of buying – the finance. For many, saving a deposit makes buying a home seem an impossible task, especially in London and the South East when even the global financial crisis and subsequent recession did little to stop the surge in property price, making it impossible for ordinary working folk to keep up their
savings to the ever-greater targets of the deposit on their first home. One positive aspect of the financial effects of the recession was the reduction in the Bank of England base rate to an all-time low (still there now, at 0.25%) and a consequent fall in mortgage interest rates. Though lenders often ask more of first-timers than they do on those already in their own home who might be moving or remortgaging, these days there is strong competition between many banks and building societies that is keep rates helpfully low for those who are on a tight budget on their first property. Two government schemes dominate the scene when it comes to assisting
people to buy their first home: Help to Buy and Shared Ownership. Here, we take a look at them in detail and how exactly they can help you to afford a place to call your own. The new build home market can also show some excellent support options from individual companies.
Last month, we talked about Weston Homes – well-renowned multi-winner of WhatHouse? Awards over many years – and its First-Time SecureBuy scheme at its developments in Dartford and Greenwich, which allows buyers to reserve the home they want long before traditional mortgage deals
would allow. Don’t be afraid to ask any housebuilder about the schemes it offers (for example, it may contribute to your legal fees or stamp duty). Search for your home at www.whathouse.com to see at a glance what assistance is available with every plot.
HELP TO BUY Don’t be misled by the occasional headline before Christmas that seemed to state that the government’s flagship scheme had ceased – it is still very much alive, with variations across London, the rest of England, Wales and Scotland. The government did indeed withdraw its ‘Help to Buy 2’ mortgage guarantee scheme on 31 December 2016, but that was exactly the plan when in was launched in January 2014. However, the main Help to Buy Equity Share scheme is still with us for years to come. In London and England, there are parallel schemes but the rules are very similar to both:
• There is no restriction on your individual or household earnings, though there is an eligibility test to ensure you earn enough to comfortably pay for your home month-by-month
• The scheme is open to first-time buyers and homeowners
• You must be able to provide a deposit of 5% and have funds to cover the rest of
• It is only available on new build homes, thorough housebuilders signed up to the scheme • The maximum price of the home is £600,000 • It must be your main place of residence, and you mustn’t be buying it to rent it out to others
your moving expenses • The scheme provides an ‘equity loan’ (to accompany your deposit) of 20% of the property price in England, or 40% in Greater London, leaving you to find a mortgage for 75% (55% in London) • The equity loan is interest-free for the first five years, with small and inflation-linked interest payments thereafter • The loan must be paid back over 25 years, or when you sell the property if earlier. • You can pay the loan off at any time. You can download a free, detailed guide to Help to Buy at www.whathouse.com/help-to-buy/
SHARED OWNERSHIP Also known by the phrase ‘part-buy/part-rent’, as the name suggests, this is a way to reduce the amount paid for a home by splitting the transaction between homeownership and rent. Open to those buying a first home or those re-entering the homebuying market (eg purchasing a house for themselves after the break-up of a marriage), the scheme is available through housing associations on a limited number of new homes. Buyers can initially purchase between 25% and 75% of the market value of the home, and pay a subsidised rent on the remainder. When they can afford to, and if they wish, they can buy more shares later, up to 100% of their home eventually. Eligibility on this scheme is more closely controlled than on
Help to Buy: • It is only available to those who have never owned their own home or who are returning to the property market after a change in circumstances eg a breakdown in a relationship • You must be a British or EU citizen, or have indefinite leave to rein in the UK • You can’t afford the home you need at full price on the open market • Maximum household earnings for the buyers in £90,000 per annum in London, £80,000 outside London • It must be the only home you own (this includes overseas properties) and
set to be your main residence, not an investment property It is worth bearing in mind that even if you start out with 25% ownership of a property, you will still be responsible for 100% of any ground rent and service charge. You can ‘staircase’ (buy further shares in your home) at any time you can afford it, but there will be extra legal and valuation fees payable every time you do so. You can download a free, detailed guide to Shared Ownership at www.whathouse.com/shared-ownership/
W 1 O 2 N 12 LL 06 CA 5 6 4 03
Shared Ownership at Woods Rd. London SE15 1 Bed Apartment from £387,500 30% share for £116,250 (minimum salary required £40,500 10% deposit £11,500)
2 Bed Apartment from £502,500 25% share for £125,625 (minimum salary required £46,500 10% deposit £12,500)
Computer generated image of Woods Rd, indicative only
BRAND NEW SHARED OWNERSHIP HOMES IN FANTASTIC LOCATIONS
www.hydenewhomes.co.uk
Rent is payable on the unsold equity of all Shared Ownership properties
Shared Ownership at Fuse Nightingale Grove, London SE13 1 Bed Apartment from £337,500 25% share for £84,375 (minimum salary required £41,500 10% deposit £8,400)
2 Bed Apartment from £397,500 25% share for £99,375 (minimum salary required £48,000 10% deposit £9,900)
3 Bed Apartment from £495,000 30% share for £148,500 (minimum salary required £55,000 10% deposit £14,000)
Computer generated image of Fuse, indicative only
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first-time buyers
31
First-time buyer case studies
Three buying stories to show different ways of climbing onto the property ladder
A fresh start
Living the scheme A Worthing couple have taken their first steps on the property ladder at Bloor Homes’ Yeoman Chase development thanks to the government’s Help to Buy scheme. Tim Davey, 34, and Lee Pavitt, 36, bought their first home together at Yeoman Chase, off Littlehampton Road, after tiring of seeing their hard-earned cash being swallowed up by the rent. The couple, who both work as cabin crew, made the move across Worthing to their new three-bedroom home, which features an open-plan kitchen/ dining area, handy utility room and stylish master bedroom with
en suite. Tim says: “We were previously renting in west Worthing but the cost and living expenses were getting too much and we thought it would be best to invest in a new home. We had been to a few other developments in the area before we came to Yeoman Chase. We just fell in love with the development, we had a really warm welcome as soon as we came here and we just kept coming back. “It’s the first property we have purchased together and Bloor were so good at explaining the Help to Buy scheme that moving
just made sense. We would have never been able to move into such a lovely home without it. “We love entertaining and we’ve made friends with at least seven neighbours, so since we moved we have had a fair few dinner parties. Our home’s open kitchen/dining area is the perfect place to host.” The government’s Help to Buy equity loan scheme enables buyers to secure a new home with just a 5% deposit and 75% mortgage. The remaining 20% is provided as an equity loan which remains interest free for five years. Find out more at www.bloorhomes.com; 01903 867959
Hip hipster, hooray! First-time buyers Hamish Hossack, 26, and Ilona Smyth, 24, have been well aware of the ‘hipster’ qualities of new cultural hotspot Deptford for some time, following Ilona’s attendance at nearby Greenwich University. The couple decided to permanently relocate there over two years ago from Surrey to be closer to work. Hamish, a web developer in central London, explains: “Like many commuters, getting to and from the office each day has been one of the many reasons that initially drew us to Deptford and why we have now decided to put our roots down here. With a Zone 2 postcode, Deptford is a dream for commuting in to central London each day. The transport links mean we can get
in to all sides of town from just one station.” Situated on Arklow Road, Deptford Foundry is less than a 10-minute walk from both New Cross station and Deptford High Street with direct connections to London Bridge (six minutes), Cannon Street (13 minutes) and Greenwich (12 minutes). Hamish and Ilona have purchased a three-bedroom apartment at Deptford Foundry, although this isn’t what they had initially set out to find: “We were originally looking to buy a twobedroom apartment as this was within our budget. However, it is great we have been able to upsize slightly, meaning we have that extra space for entertaining when friends and family come to stay.”
Hamish continued: “There are a number of new developments being built in Deptford and we viewed around four or five prior to purchasing at Deptford Foundry. No other developer was able to quite meet the mark – either by location or just lack of benefits. Anthology stood out.” Having rented just a short distance from Deptford Foundry for over two years, Hamish and Ilona are both excited to take their first step on to the property ladder and embrace all the benefits that come with owning your own home: “It will be great to have a blank canvas and get started on the interiors and designs that we want.” Find out more at anthology.london; 020 7526 9229
After moving out of the family home following the breakdown of his marriage, Karl Walsh, 42, had to couch-surf and stay with friends until he purchased a two-bedroom apartment at Network Homes’ Hartham Place development in Hertford. Located on the River Lea, Hartham Place comprises nine Shared Ownership apartments with integrated kitchens, sleek bathrooms and an intelligent use of light and space. Karl, a charge nurse, bought a 50% share of the apartment for £142,500 (full market value £285,000) with a deposit of £55,000 raised from the sale of his former marital home. His monthly rent is £409 and his mortgage payments are £329. Having only recently moved out of his former home, Karl had to “jump through a few hoops” to prove that he would no longer be a homeowner, a hurdle that affects many recently separated homeowners looking for a fresh start. Karl comments: “There were a lot of checks to make sure that I wasn’t going to use the new apartment as a second home. It was time-consuming but I
think the checks are necessary to make sure that those who need it most, benefit from the Shared Ownership scheme.” Karl is delighted with his new home as it means he can remain in the same area, close to his children, despite downsizing from a house to an apartment. “The apartment is quite spacious, my two children live with me at the property half of the week so it was very important to have a second bedroom. The balcony – which overlooks the River Lea – more than makes up for not having a garden,” he says, while “there are also parks nearby to take the children.” Karl has already made friends with his neighbours at the scheme and says that the move has brought stability to his life. “Buying through Shared Ownership at Hartham Place has given me the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with my children. I would absolutely recommend it, especially to people in my position, as well as first-time buyers.” Find out more at www.networkhomes.org.uk
* 0* .0 79 h £5 it st w * ju th uy m on B fro m to y er lp Bu p He
Oliver’s Grove, Stanway, Colchester CO3 0JT Plot 23 – The Elder, a charming 2 bed coach house with garage and parking.
100% full purchase price 5% deposit 20% Help to Buy* equity loan Mortgage required Monthly payment
£239,995 £12,000 £47,999 £179,996 £579.00**
Plot 26 – The Elm, a substantial 4 bed detached family house with garage and parking.
100% full purchase price 5% deposit 20% Help to Buy* equity loan Mortgage required Monthly payment
£449,995 £22,500 £89,999 £337,496 £991.00**
Why rent when you could buy from just £579.00 per month with Help to Buy* Introducing a superb collection of homes from award-winning house builder Hopkins Homes. Oliver's Grove is ideally located for local facilities and offers easy access to Colchester and the A12, as well as great rail connections to London Liverpool Street, at Oliver’s Grove you won’t have to compromise.
Contact: 01206 562346 Marketing Suite open Thursday to Monday 10am - 5pm please call: 01394 446860 Email: sales@hopkinshomes.co.uk
hopkinshomes.co.uk Computer generated images of Oliver’s Grove. *Subject to Status. Terms and conditions apply. **2 year tracker mortgage at 1.24% APR, 35 year term, TSB 01/17. Prices correct at time of press.
34 surrey
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Rural living
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Brook, Godalming, Hope Cottage, Hipley – £1.1m £3.495m
This month, we take a look at two homes in rural Surrey with Hamptons International. Find out more at Hamptons International Prime and Country office; 020 3151 2414
Marylands, Cranleigh, £6.5m
Approached via electric double gates, Marylands has a distinctly Mediterranean feel featuring a glamorous fusion of Arts and Crafts and Moorish influences. Renowned architect Oliver Hill, a contemporary of Edwin Lutyens, designed the property, which was built in the early 1930s. Internally, each of the five elegant reception rooms takes full advantage of the hilltop views. Superb beamed ceilings, wonderful sandstone arches, impressive fireplaces and oak flooring all combine to create a unique sense of style. The first floor principle bedroom suite includes a sitting area with superb distant views of the South Downs. There are five further bedrooms, linked by a charming galleried hallway with staircases at either end. On the top floor the panorama can be enjoyed from the Tower Room which is currently a family/TV room.
The house is set in eight acres of secluded low-maintenance parkland providing a haven for wildlife and flowers. Close to the house is a heated terrace pool. The courtyard provides parking for 30 cars. The guest/staff cottage with four spacious bedrooms has its own access, parking and garden. Situated in the heart of the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the property is between the soughtafter villages of Shere and Ewhurst. Cranleigh renowned for Cranleigh School is approximately four miles away. Other schools in the area include Charterhouse, The Royal Grammar School and Guildford High School for Girls. The nearest station is at Gomshall with trains to London Waterloo via Guildford. The property is within easy reach of the A3, giving access to the M25 for Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the national motorway network.
Green and serene
A country house of great character within grounds approaching 50 acres located on the edge of the village of Brook with its cricket green and popular pub, the Dog and Pheasant. This Grade II listed house has been sympathetically and cleverly enlarged and renovated to a high standard. The vaulted kitchen/breakfast room has a galleried playroom or home office as well as an adjoining TV/family room. In addition, there is a bright and spacious drawing room, large dining room, and study, as well as a superb games room to the lower ground floor. The good-sized bedrooms have views over the gardens, grounds, and wider surrounding countryside. The master bedroom with adjoining dressing room and en suite features a vaulted ceiling. There are four further bedrooms, a family bathroom and a separate shower room. An additional sixth bedroom suite is
Millgate has found a steady stream of keen buyers at Knowle Hill Park in Cobham
H
o mebuyers attracted to the affluent village of Cobham – home to a generous smattering of celebrities, including a number of Chelsea footballers, and the first village in the UK where average home prices exceeded £1m – are already reserving homes at Knowle Hill Park, a development from WhatHouse? Award-winner Millgate. In all, the development will offer three detached and four semi-detached family homes alongside an impressive mansion block of 22 substantial apartments. Buyer interest has been quick, with three of the four penthouses already sold despite a completion date of September this year, and other apartments and houses reserved by keen ‘early bird’ purchasers. A five-bedroom show house – the detached ‘Woburn House’ – gives all property hunters an idea of the space and specification they can expect
across the range of homes for sale here. This three-storey house has a huge, homely, openplan kitchen/dining/family room, with a generous and well-equipped kitchen area and separate utility room. The master bedroom has a large terrace overlooking the rear garden and protected woodland behind it, as well as a dressing area with plentiful wardrobe space and a twin-basin en suite with bath and separate shower. Three other bedrooms have built-in wardrobes, one has an en suite shower room and there’s a large family bathroom on the top floor. This property also comes with a first-floor living space, generous hallway and an integral double garage. Prices for the houses here currently start at £1.895m, with completion of them expected in March. The apartments are set out over four floors on an elevated part of the
extensive gated site, with underground parking for each of the two- and threebedroom units. Each apartment has very large rooms and its own balcony or terrace, and there are two lifts providing access to each floor. Prices start at around £2m, with a show apartment expected in the summer ahead of completion in the autumn. The site itself, a former commercial headquarters which even incorporated a three-hole golf course, is delightfully landscaped, with undulating lawns, two ponds and numerous mature trees and woodland to provide lovely views as well as tranquility to the surroundings. An estate manager will be in place to provide services to the residents Monday to Friday. Matthew Brazier, senior sales manager for Millgate, says: “We’ve had an interesting purchaser profile so far – mainly families familiar with the area, but also a few downsizers and some looking for a home away from London. “We have upped the specification here from our acclaimed Englemere scheme in Ascot in respect of things like the kitchens and audiovisual systems.” “Our information centre at the gatehouse to the estate is open from 10.00am to 5.00pm seven days a week, for buyers to meet our team and get all the details they need on these luxurious new homes.”
situated on the ground floor. The house is situated centrally within its grounds, with views to the south west. The land includes lawned gardens, a hard tennis court, parkland grounds, paddocks, agricultural land and woodland. There is also consent for a substantial barn/potential stabling/additional garaging. The area is extremely popular for its wide range of public schools including Bedales, Charterhouse, Cranleigh, Edgeborough, Frensham Heights, Highfield, Guildford High School for Girls, Priorsfield, St Catherine’s and The Royal Grammar School in Guildford. Witley station is only two miles away with regular trains to Waterloo, and the A3 dual carriageway is accessed 4.5 miles to the north at Milford, providing fast driving to central London, the M25, and Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
LAST EXECUTIVE HOME AT C O L L E G E G R E E N , G O D A L M I N G THE STUNNING 6 BEDROOM CRANLEIGH
Prepare to be impressed with the spacious open plan kitchen and family area, imagine yourself lounging in the sitting room looking out through the French doors to your garden. Wander upstairs and envisage yourself waking up in the master bedroom whilst the family relaxes in their own space. You could do all of this and with Bovis Homes we make moving easy with our Home Exchange scheme plus we will pay your stamp duty in full! • Fitted kitchen with integrated appliances • En suite to 3 bedrooms • Wardrobe with glazed sliding doors to master bedroom
• Double garage • Turf to rear garden • Flooring throughout included*
College Green, Godalming Surrey GU7 1QN For your personal appointment call us today
01483 370015
Ask about
Home
Exchange
godalming.sales@bovishomes.co.uk
bovishomes.co.uk Photographs show the Cranleigh at College Green. Home Exchange scheme is subject to specific terms and conditions. Please ask sales advisor for details. Stamp duty offer not available for buy to let mortgages and second home owners, and could be subject to board approval. Specification correct at time of going to press. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
Call 0800 195 1020 8671 Call 0114Call 2750114 1020275
info.sheffield@clockworkremovals.co.uk info.sheffi eld@clockworkremovals.co.uk info.london@clockworkremovals.co.uk www.clockworkremovals.co.uk www.clockworkremovals.co.uk www.clockworkremovals..co.uk
National National Coverage Coverage with local withexpertise local expertise • Residential Moves • Residential Moves Wherever life Wherever may take lifeyou, maywetake canyou, move weyou can move you Secure Storage • Secure Facilities Storage Facilities there with the there same withhigh the level sameofhigh care,level quality of care, •quality • Professional•Local Professional Team Local Team and customer andservice customer every service step of every the step way. of the•way. Full Packing•Services Full Packing Services 1 Oughton Way,1 Garter Oughton Street, Way,Sheffi Garter eld, Street, S4 7DY Sheffi5,eld, S4 7DY Unit 1, 106 Brent Terrace, London, NW2 1BZ | Unit 43 Weir Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8UG
36 first-time buyers
Top Deco Shared Ownership bringing art deco design at its best!
W
i th it’s name deriving from art deco design roots, Southern Home Ownership is about about to present Deco, a brand new development hosting a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments set in the heart of Woolwich SE18, a newly sought-after location within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Buyers who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to purchase one of these apartments via the government’s Shared Ownership scheme, with an initial minimum 35% share of a onebedroom apartment starting at around £115,500 (based on a full market price of £330,000). The development is a conversion of the old art deco-style Co Op building, which was built as a department store in 1938 by the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society. Needless to say, with such stylish foundations the bar had already been set when it came to the quality of the conversion. Many of the original
building features, including period railings to the stairwell and ceilings up to three metres high, have been retained and the building will now host a thoroughly modern interior specification, providing a selection of classical apartments with a modern twist.
THE PLACE Woolwich is undergoing a period of intensive regeneration, with huge investment in new housing, transport and leisure. Deco is situated in the main shopping area, with a number of great restaurants nearby. Some favourites include the Blue Nile, an Eritrean-Italian restaurant on Woolwich New Road described as an “unexpected gem” by the Guardian, Koffees & Kream on Calderwood Street and Curry Asia on Thomas Street. If you fancy more traditional pub grub head to Dial Arch or Taproom, both located in the historical Royal Arsenal, or the Woolwich Equitable on Vincent Road in General Gordon Square.
Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes The main shopping area features a number of high street brands and a market runs six days a week in Beresford Square, in front of the Royal Arsenal gatehouse. If outdoor space is something you’re after, then there are a number of open spaces around including Woolwich Common, Charlton Park, Plumstead Common and, of course, Greenwich Park. For fitness fans there is the Waterfront Leisure Centre and The Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club.
GETTING AROUND TOWN For commuters there are few locations to match, with direct routes from Woolwich Arsenal station including services to Charing Cross (30 mins), Cannon Street (28 mins), and London Bridge (23 mins). There’s also a DLR service with trains to Stratford (19 mins), Bank (27 mins), and City Airport (6 mins). Canning Town is a short journey away (13 mins) where you can pick up the Jubilee Line and be in Canary Wharf in under 25 minutes. Over 90 buses an hour link central and south-east London. And that’s not all, 2018 will see the launch of the Crossrail, with Woolwich benefiting from links to Reading and Heathrow in the west through London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. Find out more at www.shosales.co.uk/deco; 0300 555 2171
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37
Make homeownership dreams a reality at Kingsbridge e w research from the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows that 80% of the nation’s adults still dream of becoming homeowners within 10 years, and 72% hope to achieve this within two years. Countryside’s Kingsbridge development in the Kent village of Headcorn is available on the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which could help that homeownership dream become a reality. With a collection of 29 threeand four-bedroom family homes overlooking the Weald of Kent, Kingsbridge could be the ideal location
for families or commuters looking for the perfect balance between rural and urban living. Andrew Loveday, sales director at Countryside, says: “The vast majority of people in the UK still dream of owning their own home, and with the Help to Buy scheme this can become a reality for those who have a secure income but don’t have access to a large deposit. Second steppers can benefit too, enabling them to move up the ladder to a home that may previously have been out of reach. The houses at Kingsbridge are ideal for families, with plenty of living space downstairs including a large open-plan kitchen-
diner and family room, with three or four good-sized bedrooms upstairs, generous gardens and garages. What’s more, they are surrounded by beautiful Weald landscape.” The four-bedroom detached ‘Cheverny’ house design is available to buy through the Help to Buy scheme. The light-filled home benefits from a spacious kitchen and breakfast/family area with French doors opening onto the garden, as well as a separate, generous-sized living room and dining room. The home boasts a high specification and attention to detail throughout, with integrated appliances.
On the second floor, the ‘Cheverny’ features a spacious master bedroom with en suite, a guest room with an en suite and a further two bedrooms. The family-sized bathroom features white sanitaryware with chrome taps for a slick finish and a double-ended bath with a rich walnut panel. The charming rural village of Headcorn has a quintessentially English feel, with country pubs, tearooms, a village green and a wide range of shops and amenities. It also has its own mainline railway station, just half-a-mile from Kingsbridge, with direct trains to London in just over an hour, making it an ideal location
features the original wood block flooring and a recently-fitted woodburning stove. The kitchen was handmade by a previous owner of the house and is still in good working order. This leads to the utility room and the large squareshaped second reception room. The master bedroom on the first floor is on the south-facing side of the house and has in-built wardrobes and the original en suite bathroom. There are four further bedrooms, two of
which open out onto a private balcony. There is also a large family bathroom. Extensive updating was carried out on the property five years ago, with work including rewiring, an entirely new heating system and replastering. To the rear of the house is a landscaped ‘park’-style garden. Ample private parking is available to the front. Chislehurst High Street and Elmstead Woods station are both a 10-minute walk away. Trains run to
for commuters. Headcorn is located just nine miles from Maidstone town centre and 14 miles from Ashford, which offers fast trains to London St Pancras in just 38 minutes. Prices at Kingsbridge start from £349,995 for a three-bedroom home, and four-bedroom homes start from £485,000. The Help to Buy scheme is available on all the properties at Kingsbridge. The marketing suite, which is open Thursday to Monday 10.00am to 5.00pm. Find out more at www.countryside-properties.com; 01622 891473
Property of the month
The Modern House in Kent
T
h is superb example of a late-1960s detached house was designed by the architect Roy Lancaster and is found in a quiet, private location in Chislehurst, Kent, a sought-after town on the outskirts of London. Lancaster was one of the brightest young architects working at the Chelsea-based Raglan Squire & Partners, one of London’s most respected practices. The property has five-bedrooms
and two reception rooms arranged over two floors. Planning permission has been granted to convert the large attached garage into further accommodation. The hall leads into the main living room with almost full-length floor-to-ceiling glazing bringing in much natural light. An electronically operated awning offers shade on hot days, when the glazed doors can be pulled right back opening up the house to the garden. The living room
London Cannon Street and Charing Cross in under half an hour. Chislehurst has an excellent choice of local state schools nearby including Bullers Wood for girls, co-ed Coopers and Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School. Private schools include Bromley High for girls and Eltham College for boys. This property is priced at £1.4m. Find out more at www.themodernhouse.com; 020 3795 5920
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hampshire
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A life of luxury
39
Manor Farm Barn, Hope Cottage, Hipley – £1.1m Tangley, £1.45m
This month, we look at two barn conversions on the market with in Hampshire Strutt & Parker. Find out more at www.struttandparker.com; 01252 821102 and 01635 576922
West Barn, Wyck Alton, £1.75m
This magnificent conversion of a Grade II listed oak-framed barn and adjoining stable has been carefully undertaken to create an outstanding five-bedroom, four-bathroom home set in 0.7 acres. The current owners worked closely with Heritage England to ensure that the renovations were carried out sympathetically. The property is now equipped with underfloor heating, luxury Duravit and Hansgrohe bathroom fittings, USB points in most rooms, CAT 6 cabling to all main living areas, hard-wired WiFi, satellite internet connection and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The bespoke kitchen has exposed beams and Egyptian limestone flooring. A large family room with wood burner links to
the kitchen area and there is ‘snug’ on the spacious landing area above the former stables. A detached Rookery Barn has a large office space above the storeroom complete with bathroom and plumbing for a kitchenette. The surrounding gardens have been beautifully landscaped, perfectly framing the far reaching views towards Upper Froyle and Odiham. Alton, Bentley and Farnham have mainline stations providing a service to London/Waterloo within the hour. There is a good choice of state and private schools in the area including Edgeborough, St Nicholas’, Frensham Heights, Charterhouse and Lord Wandsworth College.
Shore thing
Waterfront show home now open at the The Villas in Lymington
F
or those house-hunters looking for a little luxury and beautiful waterside views, The Villas at Lymington Shores could tick all the boxes. This collection of new homes from WhatHouse? Award winner Redrow
Homes, are situated on the edge of the Lymington River, ideal for anyone looking for a new home in the heart of the New Forest. The development is made up of three- and five-bedroom villas on the edge of the historic Hampshire town, and the homes offer lovely scenic views
A wonderful 17th-century extended barn conversion featuring oak beams within and flint and reclaimed brick exterior elevations with rough-cut cedar cladding, each helping to retain the sense and feel of the original barn. The central reception hall with its impressive oak staircase leads into the principal reception room. The kitchen is sleek and modern, fitted with granite work surfaces and high-spec appliances, with views across with the grounds to the farmland beyond. Accessed by double doors from the kitchen is a large terrace ideal for outdoor entertaining. The first floor offers an entire floor of vaulted ceilings, creating an impressive master bedroom complete with a bespoke bathroom, and two further bedrooms with
of the river. Taking advantage of the vistas on offer, the villas are designed to bring the outside in, featuring wrap-around patios and second-floor balconies. The villas also feature openplan kitchen/dining/living area, with the designer kitchens fitted with an impressive array of appliances. Mark Vanson, Redrow Homes (Southern Counties) sales director, says: “We’ve had a huge amount of interest in this development, which isn’t surprising considering the enviable location and beautiful surrounding
an elegant Jack-and-Jill en suite. Set in 1.2 acres the property is approached from a quiet lane through electric gates and over a gravel driveway with parking for several cars. The garden is extensive and professionally landscaped. Manor Farm Barn is situated within the parish of Tangley, which has a thriving school, public houses, village hall, recreational fields, tennis court and two churches. There are a number of good schools in the area including prep schools Farleigh, Cheam and Norman Court. The mainline railway station at Andover has trains to London Waterloo in 1 hr and 12 minutes. The A303 can be accessed connecting the West Country with the A34 and M3 (London) and the M27 coastal motorway.
coastline and countryside. “Waterside properties finished to this level are extremely hard to come by and Lymington, nestled in the heart of the New Forest, is arguably one of the most desirable postcodes outside of London.” The ‘Deben’ show home is now open and has been carefully designed by Redrow’s own interior design specialists. Taking inspiration from the beautiful coastal views, the show home mirrors the calming nature that surrounds the development, and tranquil tones of blue and grey run
throughout the villas, with hints of the sea reflected in every room. The villas are only a stone’s throw away from the vibrant and picturesque coastal village of Lymington. The development is also well connected to London and other cities by road and rail, with the capital just a two-hour drive. Prices start from £1.495m for a threebedroom villa, which is finished to the highest specifications, including state-ofthe-art kitchens, fixtures and fittings. Find out more at www.redrow.co.uk; 01752 477 430
“ What will I do without you?”
Sick, in j and ho ured m pets ha eless ve r on us s elied ince 1897
Pets into Care Put their future in our hands
Our Pets into Care Scheme gives you peace of mind by caring for your pet should they outlive you. We understand how much your pets mean to you and how important it is that they are well looked after, no matter what happens. It is free to register your pet onto the Scheme but to help us manage the costs involved we’d be very grateful if you would consider making a donation or leaving us a gift in your Will. To find out more about our FREE Pets into Care Scheme please complete the coupon opposite and send to: Freepost BLUE CROSS FOR PETS Alternatively, call or email us and quote: PIC87 Telephone: 0300 777 1757 Email: legacy@bluecross.org.uk
Please send me: more information on Pets into Care a free, no-obligation pack on making or amending a Will Title:
First name:
Surname: Address:
Postcode: Telephone:
Thank you for your continued support.
www.bluecross.org.uk
Blue Cross is a charity registered in England and Wales (224392) and in Scotland (SC040154). *From time to time we may wish to communicate with you by phone with news about the pets you are helping and ways you can help in the future. If you are happy for us to do this, please fill in your details above. We will never sell or share your data. 17909 What House - 265 x 340 - pic87.indd 1
06/09/2016 15:10
T H R E E S U P E R L AT I V E H O M E S AT H I L L B R O W
Situated in one of the most sought-after addresses in Hove this new development comprises three large five-bedroom detached houses in a contemporary design benefiting from views to the south west of the nearby coast line.
PRICES FROM ÂŁ1,850,000
01273 829 300
01273 230 230
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS BARNHAM
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4 bedroom detached homes Price TBA
5 bedroom detached homes Price TBA
2 and 3 bedroom homes Price TBA
3 exclusive properties in Barnham, West Sussex
3 luxury properties in West Hill, Oxted, Surrey
9 properties in Fittleworth, West Sussex
01403 788440
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42 interiors
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Hot to trot
@What_House
5
Richenda Oldham discovers that modern radiators can be design features in their own right as well as the means for keeping a home cosy and warm
S
ince it was first invented back in the mid-1800s, the radiator has been one of the single most important factors to influence the modern central heating system. Radiator design itself has come a long way since the classic Victorian cast iron radiator became prevalent by the end of the 19th century. In fact, it has become unexpectedly exciting, with hundreds of different designs now available, ranging from ultra-slim vertical radiators to horizontal and column radiators. Whether your penchant is for contemporary or traditional design, it’s not hard to find a style that will suit the look of your home, as there are many innovative shapes, finishes and features to choose from. Not surprisingly, designer radiators are increasingly popular as they appeal to those who want to incorporate radiators as a specific style element in a room scheme. Look out for cylindrical shapes, mirror finishes and even designs
that incorporate LED lighting. Another popular choice is the towel radiator, which can keep your bathroom or kitchen warm, as well as providing somewhere to hang towels/ tea towels to dry. Towel radiators are versatile as they can be run either just on electricity or as part of the central heating system. The main materials used for manufacturing radiators today are: steel, aluminium and cast iron. However, when choosing a style, you should bear in mind that what your radiator is made out of will determine the speed by which it heats up and cools down. For example, aluminium heats up quickly, but cools down equally fast, while cast iron is slow to heat up, but retains its heat for much longer. A radiator’s finish can also affect its heat output – painted radiators have a higher level of emissivity than bare metal versions. Radiator size is another important factor to bear in mind. You can choose from short, fat, thin, tall or wide, with
the slimmest radiators measuring just between 23cm-50cm. Horizontal radiators, especially traditional period style ones, are wider in comparison to vertical radiators and therefore take up more room. It’s best to measure up the space where you are hoping to install the radiator, then check the depth, height and length of the radiator to see if it will fit the space. You will also need to ascertain the heat output of the radiator. This is measured in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour and all radiators are assigned a BTU rating, which will tell you how many BTUs they produce. Use a BTU calculator to work out how many radiators you will need to heat your room. Essentially, central heating comes in two forms using plumbed or electric radiators. A plumbed system uses hot water that has been heated by a boiler. The water is then circulated around the house via a system of pipes and radiators. An electric system simply runs off the electricity supply in your home.
1 For a more traditional look, choose a cast iron radiator; Mini Trieste 2 Column radiator in Ancient Bronze, from around £50.05, www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk 2 B&Q Terma Ribbon copper powder coated satin vertical radiator; £550, www.diy.com 3 This funky Fog towel warmer’s fluid rounded shape will make a bold statement in a contemporary style
bathroom; from £604, www.aestus.co.uk 4 Vogue’s Mode II mild steel radiator is a versatile design that can be either wall mounted or fitted with Column radiator feet; £210, radiator feet £24 each, www.vogueuk.co.uk 5 Dual-fuel systems are ideal for bathrooms; Lupin 25mm straight ladder towel rail (suitable for dual-fuel use), from £87.60, www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk
Shedding Light on beautiful interior design 020 8200 5556
interiors@new–id.co.uk www.new-id.co.uk
Show Homes • Private Client • Investment Property Furnishing
44 interiors
For the latest on the property market
Top of the bots For couch potatoes, the arrival of robot vacuum cleaners means dirty floors can now be taken care of without lifting a finger. Richenda Oldham rounds up the latest ‘bots… 1
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1 Vileda’s Cleaning Robot can tackle all hard flooring, as well as short pile carpets and has added vacuum power to help pick up finer dust and fluff. It even has three different settings depending on the size of the room you want to clean; £149.99, www.vileda.co.uk 2 Awkward areas are no match for Robo. com3’s dual rotating side brushes. This programmable cleaner can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet and comes with nine intensive cleaning programmes ranging from concentrated spot cleaning to turbo vacuuming; £499.99, www.hoover.co.uk 3 When the Kobold VR200’s battery need’s recharging it simply takes itself back to its base station and then continues vacuuming from the point where it stopped. The VR200 navigates potential hazards using sophisticated laser navigation and over 12 sensors; £749, https://kobold.vorwerk.co.uk/robot/ 4 iRobot’s new Roomba 980 robotic vacuum cleaner is a highly efficient smart cleaner that can be controlled from anywhere using iRobot’s new Home app. Featuring visual localisation technology, the Roomba can create an actual map of your home using a visual and floor tracking sensors, so it knows how far to travel; £799.99, www.hughes.co.uk 5 Samsung’s VR9300 has immensely powerful suction thanks to its digital inverter technology. The cleaner can be controlled with a smartphone and allows you to choose which rooms you want vacuumed. You can schedule its cleaning times while you are away and then check the results on its cleaning report; £799, www.samsung.com
GEOFF’S GARDEN ORNAMENTS
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WWW.GEOFFS-GARDEN-ORNAMENTS.CO.UK
46 armchair gardener
Find your new home at Whathouse.com
Gifts for gardeners What do you mean, you didn’t get the Christmas gifts you really wanted? Richenda Oldham encourages you to treat yourself to one of these gardeners’ essentials instead…
Peropon drinking animal planters; £10 each, www.redcandy.co.uk
Charming Sophie Allport hand-decorated mug covered in rows of bunnies, watering cans, cabbages, wheel barrows and seedlings; £10, www.sophieallport.com
Faux suede cushion featuring plump succulents; £30, www.thedriftingbear.com
This stunning, white, 12cm standard azalea comes in a ceramic container, but can be planted outdoors when the weather turns warmer; £25, www.interflora.co.uk
This Green Fingers Ladies Hamper is packed with gardening goodies; £39.99, dobbies.com
Gardening can put strain on hands and wrists, which is why keen gardeners should take a look at this four-piece Radius garden tool set. Strong yet light, these tools have easy grip handles designed to minimise stress; £34.95, www.designed2enable.co.uk
Hotbin compost bin; £185, itdoesthejob.com
Keep your glasses safe in this fun Gardener’s Glasses case, £12.95; www.whichglassesarewhich.com
Exquisitely detailed 3D embroidered Bluetit in flight by Sarah J Perry; £170, Madebyhandonline.com
Cheeky gardeners handkerchiefs (set of three), featuring attractive heritage illustrations; £9.95, www.annabeljames.co.uk
GET THE BEST OUT OF LIFE! ENJOY A NEW AND EXCITING LIFESTYLE WITH NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY AT AZURE
Stress free luxury living in a vibrant coastal community, close to the bohemian city of Brighton. Cliff top apartments with a choice of 2 or 3 bedrooms each with private secure parking.
ONLY TWO REMAINING Call today to arrange a viewing
PRICES FROM £850,000 Stamp Duty Paid*
www.azurerottingdean.co.uk To book your viewing call: A development by:
01273 300 525 01273 829 300 *Payable on the base rate only. T & C apply.
Find your dream new home with Help To Buy SURREY just a
Winchester
HAMPSHIRE Romsey
SOUTHAMPTON
5% deposit
Broadbridge Heath
Bishopstoke
WEST SUSSEX
EAST SUSSEX
Hurstpierpoint
Botley
Help to Buy
Bursledon Littlehampton
West Durrington BRIGHTON
PORTSMOUTH
£20,000 £80,000
ISLE OF WIGHT
Example: Buyer’s 5% deposit Government’s 20% loan
£300,000
ALL types of buyers could benefit from the Governmentbacked equity loan where you need just a 5% deposit for a brand new home – and a 75% mortgage!
Example house value
£400,000
0845 4707203†
southern.sales@bovishomes.co.uk
Source: Budget 2013, HM Treasury www.hm-treasury.gov.co.uk/budget2013
You pay as little as 80% of the full purchase price up front
Both existing homeowners and first-time buyers can purchase a brand new home with the help of an equity loan from the Government of up to 20% of the property’s value. Please contact us for more information:
75% mortgage from approved lender
(5% deposit plus 75% mortgage)
The remaining 20% is an equity loan from the Government
Ask about our other
(can be repaid at any time, or on sale of home, within 25 years)
purchase assistance schemes
Help to Buy equity loan is only available on new-build homes Available to all buyers purchasing their own home* Maximum property purchase price of £600,000
bovishomes.co.uk Elevations are for illustrutaive purposes only. *The Help to Buy equity loan scheme has specific terms and conditions and is subject to affordability criteria as prescribed by the Homes and Communities Agency. Not to be used in conjunction with any other purchase assistance scheme, offer or promotion. Available on selected plots at specific developments. Please note this scheme is separate to the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. †Calls cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.