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What House? August 2012 Celebrity interview: Britain’s Dream Homes’ Rhodri Owen Focus on Cambridgeshire, Devon, Essex and Somerset New homes Check out the latest developments around the UK Affordable homes We speak to two couples who have taken advantage of NewBuy and the Shared Equity Scheme The future of the Olympic Athletes’ Village revealed Vote for your favourite homes TV presenter in our poll New Features Get all the best Show Home secrets from Bloor Homes’ designer of choice

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Page 1: August Magazine

What House?August 2012

Celebrity interview:Britain’s Dream Homes’ Rhodri Owen

Focus on Cambridgeshire, Devon, Essex and Somerset

New homesCheck out the latest

developments around the UK

Affordable homesWe speak to two couples who have taken advantage of NewBuy and the Shared Equity Scheme

The future of the Olympic Athletes’ Village revealed

Vote for your favourite homes TV presenter in our poll

New FeaturesGet all the best Show Home secrets from Bloor Homes’ designer of choice

Page 2: August Magazine

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Page 3: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

CONTENTSFeaturesNew homes

06 Show Home of the Month – Kate Leteriello shows how to get the Bloor Homes look

12 One to One – Interview with Lee Barnard of Hopkins Homes

14 The future of the Olympics Village16 Reader poll – who is your favourite homes

TV presenter?

18 Interiors – kit your garden out in the hottest outdoor furniture this summer

19 Competition – win four Wolves FC tickets in the hospitality box

27 Housing Associations – Edinburgh and Glasgow

30 Celebrity Interview – Rhodri Owen shares his passion for property

38 What House? Awards – the Best Exterior design winners from 2011

40 Affordable homes map42 Case study – two couples share their affordable

home stories

52 Green Property of the month – Rocky Lane, Cornwall

53 Mortgages – a payday could scupper your chances at getting a mortgage

54 Retirement – McCarthy and Stone Wishlist competition

60 Dream Home of the month – Octagon Homes’ Warren Park

20 East Anglia

32 Midlands

36 North East

44 London

46 South West

56 North West

62 Scotland

64 South East

66 Wales

Cover photo: whathouse.co.uk

Focus on...22 Essex

24 Cambridgeshire

48 Devon

50 Somerset

Page 4: August Magazine

Contact us for a no obligation chat about how guaranteed part exchange can help you increase sales:

[email protected]

Quick Move Properties makes part exchange plain sailing.

Page 5: August Magazine

What House? August 2012

Welcome

www.whathouse.co.uk

While the property market slows down in the summer, it’s been a hectic month in the What House? headquarters. Since starting in July, I’ve taken on responsibility for the magazine and have implemented a range of new features into this month’s edition. Moving here from Scotland, I’ve also been visiting developments around the South East to get a flavour of what’s on offer. My first visit was to Hillreed Homes development at Kings Hill, Cathcart Gate. We were given a very warm welcome in Surrey and, after looking around the properties, it came as no surprise that the Maidstone-based housebuilder’s 11th King Hill development is seeing high levels of interest. Along with editor Keith Osborne, I also had the pleasure of attending an Olympic opening party at Berkeley Homes’ Caspian Wharf in Bow. After being given a guided tour of the £1.5million bespoke Pacific Penthouse, we were able to watch the spectacular fireworks cascading over the Olympic Stadium in Bow’s neighbour Stratford from the apartment’s terrace. If you’ve been hooked on the Games and aren’t quite ready to say goodbye yet check out what’s in store for the Olympic Village on page 14-15.

Over the last month, we’ve been promoting our sponsorship with Wolves Football Club and have a fantastic offer on page 19. I’ve been lining up interviews with some of the hottest property-related celebrities in the UK and the first interview is on pages 31-32 of this month’s mag. There is plenty more to come and if there are any celebrities that you’d like to see interviewed in What House? drop me an email on the address below.

Outside of our offices, there have been mixed reports about the property market’s recovery. However here at What House? we’ve seen a good range of affordable and luxury developments being launched in July and August. If you’re considering buying a new home, check out whathouse.co.uk for the latest releases and don’t miss our news section where we keep you up to date with all the best offers.

Dear house-hunter,

Happy house-hunting!

Laurna RobertsonAssistant Editor, www.whathouse.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Follow us on

With sales consultant for Berkeley David Turner, partner at TTA Charles Begley and whathouse.co.uk editor Keith Osborne on the terrace of the Caspian Wharf Pacific Penthouse.

Page 6: August Magazine

Show Home of the Month

Ravensbourne Gate by Bloor Homes is a new development offering three-, four- and five-bedroom

properties in a suburban location only 20 minutes from London Bridge. The gated community

is located just a short walk from Beckenham’s bustling high street. The houses are priced between

£474,950 to £799,950. Here we take a look at the interior design by Kate Letteriello for the development’s

four-bedroom ‘Richmond’ show home.

Page 7: August Magazine

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“ This space offers a light and open area ideal for family living. We wanted to create a relaxed family space that felt homely and inviting but also up-market and aspirational.”*

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Click * to find out more about this item

FAMILY ROOM Show Home Of The Month

Page 8: August Magazine

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TEENAGE GIRL’S ROOM

“ This room is a fun and bold space. A designer bubble chair hangs in the corner and a large zebra-print rug to the floor creates the ultimate funky space for any girl. The large

round headboard and dressing table stool have been made for us by our bespoke company and the white gloss and diamante chandelier is perfect for this girly glitzy room.”

Show Home Of The Month

Page 9: August Magazine

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BATHROOM

“ The family bathroom is fully tiled in warm gold mosaics with feature bands in black mosaic running vertically in the shower area and

horizontally around the room. We hope that by demonstrating different ways of using the tiles it offers inspiration to potential buyers.”

Show Home Of The Month

Page 10: August Magazine

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“ Hand painting in the jungle safari room was completed by our in house artist and we had the jeep bed made for the project and hand painted. The fun accessories with the extra large freestanding giraffe and life-size snake on the wall aim to inspire the imagination of children.

Meet the designer: Award winning Kate Letteriello is the managing director of Artspace Ltd. She launched it in 2006 after winning the TV series Interior Rivalry - a programme based on the same concept as The Apprentice but for interior designers. Specialising in show home design and high end residential interior design projects the company pride themselves on creating outstanding designs with a service that is friendly and approachable.

KID’S BEDROOM Show Home Of The Month

Page 11: August Magazine

Show Home Of The Month

VOGUE EXPRESSTurn-key furnishing solutions from one of the leading Show Home design companies

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Vogue Interiors • Unit 7, Springfield Business Park, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6PU • t: 01789 767075 • f: 01789 765887 e: [email protected] • www.vogue-interiors.co.uk

Page 12: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

Where is your firm developing new homes?We are developing new homes mainly throughout East Anglia. This includes Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, but also in Essex. Specific sites are Mulbarton, Costessey, Walsham le Willows, Soham, Aylsham, Halesworth, Norwich, Bocking, Felixstowe, Saxmundham, Framlingham, Kilverstone and Reydon. We currently have 14 individual active sites, 17 including Hopkins & Moore our sister company, which has developments in Framlingham, Southwold and Norton just near Bury St. Edmunds.

What types of properties are Hopkins Homes building?

Traditionally built terraced houses, semi-detached, detached homes, flats and townhouses both 2.5 & three storey, ranging in size from a small studio in central Norwich to a large five-bed detached family home with double garage and generous plot on the outskirts of Norwich.

Lee Barnard, the sales and marketing director at Hopkins Homes, speaks exclusively to whathouse.co.uk’s Marc Da Silva.

ONE TO ONE

Page 13: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

How much does a Hopkins home cost to buy?

Currently as little as £115,000 for the small studio in Central Norwich through to £550,000 for a detached home in Reydon on the outskirts of Southwold.

What makes a Hopkins home stand out from the crowd?

Anyone who knows us knows we are renowned for the environment we create and external and internal design of each individual property. Spacious layouts and space between properties, generous plots where possible, tried and tested materials used chosen both for their durability and aesthetic appearance, mixture of render and brick, plinths and paintwork, wooden windows some sliding sash, barge and pentice boards all brought together to create that distinctive Suffolk chocolate box appearance.

Have you noticed any particular buying trends recently?

This is area dependent. Flats in Norwich have been very

successful recently, mid to large detached homes in village locations on the outskirts of major employment areas have also proven popular.

Is your company currently offering any incentives or discounts tohomebuyers?We have FirstBuy available at Felixstowe, Costessey, Kilverstone & Soham, which is a shared equity scheme that helps first-time buyers buy their first home with just a 5% deposit. We also offer Part Exchange & Assisted Sale schemes as well as plot-specific promotions.

Which Hopkins home development potentially offers the best property investment prospects?Yields vary but can be around 5%. However, new homes by Hopkins Homes tend to appreciate well over time and thus can achieve good capital growth long term.

What is Hopkins Homes’ USP?Again it has to be the environment we create and the homes we create within it, which blend seamlessly with

their surroundings. We spend a lot of time considering what materials work and look best, with additional cost regularly incurred as a result purely because we want each and every home to look right. The good thing about Hopkins Homes is it is not all about the bottom line. We have a vision and do our absolute best to create it. We also have a dedicated Customer Service Team to support everyone who buys one of our new homes. We want it to be right from start to finish.

Has Hopkins Homes ever won a What House? Award?Yes, we have been recognised by What House? throughout the years, but the most recent award was in 2011 when we won gold for Best Brownfield Development.

Click here to view currnt Hopkins Homes

development

Page 14: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

With the Olympic Games drawing to a close, people across the country are asking what will become of the facilities that were built especially for the games. The £1 billion Olympic Athletes’ village will find a useful purpose long after the Games as the 2,818 apartments will provide rented accommodation and affordable housing options in East London.

After housing the world’s greatest athletes, what’s next for the Olympic Village?

Page 15: August Magazine

Images courtesy of LOCOG

Built for the use of 17,000 people, the Athletes’ village complex by Pyramid Builders Ltd and contractors from the Stratford area was built with input from an athlete’s committee including Olympic medal winner Jonathan Edwards.

And by 2013 the flats, which are spread across 11 residential plots and have their own postcode E20, will

be available for rent or to buy as affordable homes.

The QDD consortium of the Qatari ruling family and the UK property developer Delancey will manage 1,439 of the homes for long-term private rent. A two-bedroom apartment is expected to cost around £1,300 a month. The remaining 1,379 homes will provide affordable housing, with most of them rented but also some sold on a shared-ownership basis by housing association Triathlon Homes.

The flats currently do not have kitchens as there is a 24 hour food hall available for athletes, however they will be fitted after the games.

Away from the new homes, the athletes will have a

range of top-notch facilities including a polyclinic, gym, soft drinks bar, games room and a beauty salon.

www.whathouse.co.uk

Page 16: August Magazine

Phil SpencerLocation, Location, LocationRelocation, RelocationSecret AgentPhil Down Under

Kirstie AllsoppLocation, Location, LocationRelocation, RelocationLocation Revisited, The Property Chain, Kirstie’s Homemade Home

Rhodri OwenBritain’s Dream HomesHard Cash

Craig PhilipsCelebrity DIY with Craig Philips, If It’s Broke Fix It

Linda BarkerChanging Rooms 60 Minute Makeover

Kevin MacleodGrand Designs

Ty PenningtonExtreme Makeover

Nick KnowlesDIY SOS, Original Features

Amanda LambMy Flatpack HomeYou Deserve This HouseA Place in the Sun

Who is your favourite homes-related TV host?

Gaby RoslinCelebrity Fantasy HomesFirst Homes

READER POLL

Which of these TV home experts do you always tune in to? Vote here by clicking on your favourite’s photo and we’ll publish the results next month.

Click on your favourite

Page 17: August Magazine

Amanda LambMy Flatpack HomeYou Deserve This HouseA Place in the Sun

Gaby RoslinCelebrity Fantasy HomesFirst Homes

Looking for an interior designerwith an in-depth knowledge of

the new homes industry?

t 0117 937 3511 w andrewhenry.co.uk

Millwood Designer Homes, Claygate, Surrey

“Andrews’ experience and understanding of the industry is priceless. It meant he understood ourrequirements from the outset and was able to deliver the results we wanted.”

PERSIMMON HOMES

“The development has attracted some 60 visitors a week since its launch and the consistentlypositive feedback received on the show homes has translated into an excellent rate of sale.”

DAVID WILSON HOMES

“It is always a leap of faith working with a new designer, but the process ran like clockwork. The design,quality and project management was superb, delivered on time to the highest standard, well done.”

NEWLAND HOMES

“The innovative design you came up with gave you the edge over the other companies pitching.We are all really excited about seeing the concept become reality.”

CREST NICHOLSON

Page 18: August Magazine

Summer Days...

2

3

1. Maze Rattan Sorrento daybed outdoor sofa, £499 www.showhousefurniture.com 2. Alexander Rose Gazebo 3x3m, £359 www.birstall.co.uk 3. London canvas deck chair, £55 John Lewis 4. String paper solar lanterns, £8 Matalan 5. Argos Solar Bay Tree Outdoor Lights twinpack, £50 Argos 6. Westminster Venice Dining Table Platinum with glass, £625.50 www.gardenxl.com

1

4

6

Summer Nights

5

Page 19: August Magazine

Whether you are a Wolves fanatic or just love a fun day out, here at What House? we are currently

running a competition which could see you and three of your nearest and dearest enjoying an all

expenses paid trip to Molineux Stadium.

As the proud new Official Club Partner to Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, What House? are giving our Facebook followers a special treat by offering them the chance to win four free hospitality tickets to a Wolves home match during the 2012-2013 season. Not only that, the winner will get to choose which match they attend so even if you’re not a Wolves fan you can still watch your team of choice.

If you’re interested in being entered in the prize draw all you have to do is log onto the What House Facebook page and like it before entering your details and submitting the form. The competition closes on August 31st 2012 and the winner will be contacted and announced on the same day. Only one entry is allowed per person.

Four free Wolves hospitality tickets up for grabs

Page 20: August Magazine

EAST ANGLIA

www.whathouse.co.uk

Soham, CambridgeshireLeading East Anglia housebuilder Hopkins Homes has been awarded planning permission to construct 96 new homes in Soham, Cambridgeshire. Members of East Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning committee decided to give the developer the green light after twice deferring a decision on the planning application because of concerns about potential fire risk due to the development’s proximity to an industrial area.

Ben Bailey Homes is responding to a lengthy strategic review and lots of customer feedback as it launches the next phase of its Willow Tree Park development in the Norfolk market town of Downham Market. The company has introduced brand new property types and an enhanced

specification in response to the wishes of house-hunters and the offerings of other housebuilders.

Country & Metropolitan Homes (C&M) has added to its existing four-bedroom show home at Gunnery Hill at The Garrison in Shoeburyness with the unveiling of a brand new five-bedroom show house. The ‘Osborne’ offers accommodation over three storeys, a single integral garage and the benefit of two balconies that offer views of the Thames Estuary.

Shoeburyness, Essex

Downham Market, Norfolk

Click

here to read more

Click

here to read more

Click

here to read more

Page 21: August Magazine

A new phase is coming soon to this development in a market town just eight miles from Norwich.The town has good amenities and transport links, including its own station, making these three- and four-bedroom homes an ideal choice for families and commuters.

Langleys Quay Hopkins HomesAn attractive development of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes located in the Suffolk market town of Halesworth, within easy walking distance of all the town’s facilities including the station.

Ipswich, Norwich and East Anglia’s Heritage Coast are all within easy driving distance.

Foresthall Park Persimmon HomesThis development offers an array of property types, from two-bedroom starter homes to spacious five-bedroom executive houses. Proximity to the M11, Stansted Airport and Bishop’s Stortford makeit an excellent choice for commuters. Families will appreciate good local schools and countryside.

The Green Bovis Homes

The first phase of The Green offers a choice of three-bedroom house types in the growing village of Cambourne, just outside the city of Cambridge. There’s a professionally designed show home toview, demonstrating the level of specification and build quality on offer.

WYMONDHAM, NORFOLK

FROM £179,995

Woodland View Ben Bailey Homes

HALESWORTH, SUFFOLK

FROM £173,995

STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET, ESSEX

FROM £215,000

CAMBOURNE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

FROM £219,950Click here to view more new

homes in East Anglia

New homes developments in EAST ANGLIA

Page 22: August Magazine

EssexFocus on

With it’s close proximity to London, rich history, strong regional identity and 350 miles of coastline, Essex was long a county of choice for homebuyers before a certain TV show boosted it’s status.

Taking it’s name from The Land of the East Saxons, the home county dates back to the early middle ages and has Britain’s oldest recorded town in Colchester.

Aside from having a great deal of history to learn about and interesting sites to explore, the area forms part of the

Metropolitan Green Belt and is protected from development near to it’s boundary with London.

Having recently been appointed city status, Chelmsford is a popular choice due to it’s quick transport links to London and the comfortable lifestyle on offer. Nearby Colchester and Basildon are also popular places to settle with their strong transport links and excellent facilities. For those with a longing for the sea air, there are a selection of towns and villages like Southend-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, and Harwich to settle down in to name but a few.

Transport isn’t an issue in Essex with Stanstead Airport bringing the rest of the UK and Europe within touching distance, while there is an extensive public transport network and the M25 and M11 motorways both cross the county. Currently under construction, Crossrail is set to link Sheffield with central London through to Heathrow and Maidenhead.

There is also the South Essex Rapid Transit proposed which would provide a speedy service in and between Southend, Basildon and Thurrock.

A common sight on beaches up and down the Essex coast

The coast, countryside and city living all on offer in Essex

Page 23: August Magazine

£110,000 Just two miles from the centre of Basildon, these lovely two-bedroom apartments in Beechwood Village are not only close to countryside but also to the coast. These Swan New Homes properties have a spacious joint kitchen, lounge and dining area, two double bedrooms , a bathroom, and storage cupboards. The master bedroom also has the added bonus of an en-suite.

£225,000 Set on the River Colne across from Castle Park, there are few more spectacular locations to call home than a property at Riverside Quarter. With a range of shops and local amenities nearby, this four- bedroom mid-terrace house in Colchester, Essex. There are also three-bedroom terrace houses and four-bedroom semi detached houses available in this Persimmon’s Homes development.

£514,995 Located in the heart of the delightful market town of Great Dunmow, Beaumont Place offers a mix of traditionally styled homes in one of the most desirable locations in north Essex. Its semi-rural location combined with it’s easy access to London, Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford and beyond, make this four-bedroom property extra special. The Elderberry by David Wilson Homes is detached and has a solar panel system. It contains a living room, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, study, master bedroom and three further bedrooms.

New-build on a budget

A perfect family home

Lottery winner’s wish list

Page 24: August Magazine

CambridgeshireFocus on

The River Cam in Cambridge

Beautiful new homes abound in this verdant countyKnown worldwide for having one of the most prestigious universities, Cambridgeshire can often be overlooked as the home of a university town.Known as one of the driest counties in Britain, Cambridgeshire incorporates a range of thriving towns, villages and the cities of Ely and Peterborough.The administrative centre of Cambridgeshire, Cambridge lies on the River Cam, is only 50 miles north of London and is known for it’s rich history and buzzing town centre.

Cambridge is adjacent to the M11 and A14 roads, and is around 49 minutes from London Kings Cross by non-stop train.

Beyond the county’s central town, Peterborough is a popular choice to call home.

With the M1 running through it, trains only 50 minutes away from central London and it’s own business airport, transport links here are strong.

The Peterborough Millennium Green Wheel is a 50-mile (80 km) network of cycleways,

footpaths and bridleways which provide continuous routes around the city.

The city of Ely has a strong agricultural industry not to mention a famous school, The King’s School, which was given its royal charter in 1541 by Henry VIII.

Aside from the main settlements Cambridgeshire offers, there are a range of market towns like Huntingdon and St Ives, and villages like Sawston and Huntington.

Page 25: August Magazine

£99,995 Oasis by Bovis Homes boasts a stylish selection of one- and two-bedroom apartments, along with a selection of three-bedroom townhouses located in the flourishing community of Hampton. Everything from retail facilities to nature reserves, are within easy reach of this exciting development. This modern two-bedroom ‘Zerzura 2b’ flat in Peterborough is a perfect starter home. It contains a fitted kitchen, fitted wardrobes in the bedroom and a stylish white bathroom suite.

£299,950 Slepe Meadow development is located in St Ives formerly know as Slepe. The development offers an ideal opportunity for first-time buyers or experienced movers that want to move within commuting distance of London, Cambridge or Peterborough as it is only five miles from Huntingdon Station. On one of the plots there are four-bedroom detached houses called Wembury. The Taylor Wimpey properties have a single garage, a private garden, a dining room, living room, master bedroom, three further bedrooms, two en suites, kitchen and bathroom.

£699,950 Split over two floors, this luxury three-bedroom apartment is available within Berkeley home’s Cambridge Riverside development. Set in the idyllic surroundings of Midsummer Common and the River Cam of the shire’s main city, this apartment has a terrace on each floor, a spacious lounge and dining area, kitchen, a bathroom and an en suite. A series of linked landscaped courtyards surround the buildings and provide direct access to Midsummer Common and onto the river itself. Onsite facilities include secure underground parking, a private residents’ gym and 24-hour concierge service.

New-build on a budget

A perfect family home

Lottery winner’s wish list

Page 26: August Magazine
Page 27: August Magazine

Dunedin Canmore Housing AssociationDunedin Canmore Housing Association provides general needs housing, sheltered housing, homeless housing, and shared equity housing for sale. Working with subsidiary company Malcolm Homes they also offer mid and market rent housing and private housing for sale throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife.

Port of Leith Housing Association In one of Edinburgh’s most popular areas, Port of Leith Housing Association have been providing affordable housing since 1975. At the heart of the area’s redevelopment over recent years, the association is involved with new house building, community regeneration and creating a sense of pride in the area. It provides shared ownership and a range of rented accommodation across Leith.

Laurna Robertson looks at some of

the leading housing associations in

Scotland’s two main cities, Edinburgh

and Glasgow.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS

www.dunedincanmore.org.uk

www.polha.co.uk

Page 28: August Magazine

Cube Housing AssociationWorking together with Glasgow Housing Association, Cube Housing Association is currently developing new homes and refurbishing homes that will be available for rent or sale. The Association directly owns and manages over 3,100 properties in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and Argyll & Bute.

West of Scotland Housing Association With nearly 50 years experience, West of Scotland Housing Association provide a wide range of different properties across several developments. They run a shared equity scheme which people buy a share of 60-80% of full price and pay rent on the remaining amount. This is aimed at people with a low income. Only a small amount of their tenants have a Right To Buy their property.

www.cubehousing.co.ukwww.westscot.co.uk

Cairn Housing AssociationFor over 30 years, Cairn Housing Association has served Edinburgh and Glasgow, along with other communities throughout Scotland, with affordable housing. They offer Shared Ownership occasionally and Low-cost Initiative for First Time buyers (LIFT). They also offer general housing for anyone 16 and over, amenity housing, sheltered housing, very sheltered housing and care homes.

www.cairnha.com

Glasgow

Both

Page 29: August Magazine

cont p28

25TH ANNIVERSARY

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6-9 SEPTEMBER 2012

• 3 days of action packed racing organisedby the Royal Yacht Squadron

• 1, 2 or 3 day packages available

• Fun social programme every night

• Ultimate networking and teambuilding event for the constructionand property industry – put it inyour diary now!

For information contact :

Mary Scott-JacksonEvent Manager

01983 248 140Mob: 07790 770 526Fax: 01983 295 329Skype: marysj1www.littlebritain.co.uk

Stilltim

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toenter

Page 30: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

While for many it’s a dream job, sometimes Rhodri Owen ponders whether he made the right career choice by opting to be a TV presenter. Don’t get me wrong, the 39-year-old from Swansea loves the variety of his job - he has done everything from travelling all over Europe and beyond on Wish You Were Here? to investigating cold calling on Bafta-winning consumer show X-Ray. However property has long been his all-consuming passion and his family currently own seven homes scattered across the UK. Now living between Chiswick, West London, and Cowbridge, 20 miles outside of Cardiff, Rhodri sometimes dreams about setting up his own up-market estate agency or dedicating his time completely to development. Speaking exclusively to What House?, the husband of TV presenter Lucy Owen said: “I’m completely obsessed with property and I normally know about every property for sale within a 20-mile radius.

“ Sometimes I think I should have focused my career in the property industry. I would love to have an up-market estate agency where I could spend all day scoping out the best properties or really focus on the development side of things. “

Where did your passion for property begin?I’m not sure to be honest. When I was younger my parents moved around a lot so I never really got that fixed feeling of home. We had various houses but I never had a childhood home. I think that experience means I have it in me to move around and normally after two years I get the urge to find somewhere new. My little boy Gabriel is four now and about to start school so I’m not allowed to move at the moment. I couldn’t not do

anything property related, so we’ve been renovating instead.

What do you enjoy about developing?I always like to work to a timescale and because I’m not very patient this is extremely important for when I’m developing. I also really like working with architects that allow you to put your own stamp on the property. Some of my friends have worked with architects that are very pushy with their ideas but I’ve always been lucky with the people I’ve had. I love feeling that I’ve got my put my own spin on a place. You either enjoy that kind of thing or you don’t.

What advice do you have for people interested in developing properties?I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the years but one of the most important ones was from a massive project we took on against the advice of our financial advisor and family – an old manse. They said transforming it would require a bottomless pit of money but we decided to give it a go anyway.

Britain’s Dream Homes’ Rhodri Owen shares his passion for property with whathouse.co.uk’s Laurna Robertson

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Page 31: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

We realised after two years that they were right, but I don’t regret it as a learning experience. I’d also say that in the beginning we spent a lot of money putting the designer brand fittings and furnishings into our property. Over the years I’ve realized if you want to be a developer it’s about getting the look rather than buying the best brands. You can often get the look you require for tens of thousands of pounds cheaper.

You’ve spent a lot of time working on older properties. Would you ever invest in a new home?I’ve never owned a new home but one of my dreams would be to own a new build-home on a beach somewhere. I love what a lot of the builders of new homes do with glass and materials - I’d love to have a house with walls of glass in the future.

How do you feel about new homes? While I’ve spent a lot of time developing older properties I also love new homes. For me the most important thing for a new-build is it’s location – that it doesn’t destroy the surroundings or detract from them. I also prefer new-builds that look modern and make a statement about now rather than trying to recreate older styles.

Courtesy of Paul Hawkins

Page 32: August Magazine

MIDLANDS

www.whathouse.co.uk

Worcestershire has a range of new developments on offer from Redrow, Taylor Wimpey, and Barratt. Across the county there are developments to suit all tastes. Redrow Homes offers three-, four-, five- and six-bedroom homes in its Earls’ Park development close to Worcester city centre. The Farrington Parade development by Taylor Wimpey, the the Norton Barracks, is also worthy of consideration. While Barratt Homes are offering a selection of four-bedroom homes in the St Johns area of Worcester at its Willis Place development.

Worcestershire

Bloor Homes has submitted a planning application to develop up to 300 new homes in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire. The developer wants to build the properties

on 56 acres of land at the north east of Morton Way, between Crossways Farm and Mile End Farm.

South Gloucestershire

An innovative funding deal worth £250 million is set to deliver 1,700 new affordable homes across the Midlands. Longhurst

Group, together with their appointed financial advisors Savills, announces that it has raised the funding through the bonds market.

Throughout the Midlands

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Close to the Peak District and Sherwood Forest, as well as a number of good schools, the three- and four-bedroom homes at this development are bound to appeal to buyers with a family. The village is conveniently close to Mansfield and a number of major roads are within easy reach.

Earl’s Park Redrow HomesJust two miles from the heart of the city, this development offers homes with from three to six bedrooms from Redrow’s acclaimed New Heritage Collection of property types. These combine traditional architectural style with modern internal layouts and a distinctive specification.

The Farthings Bromford HomesFor under £30,000, eligible house-hunters could own a 25% share of one of the 17 new homes being constructed at this development in the northwest of Telford, which has excellent access to the A5 and M54 as well as to the amenities of the town centre.

Temple Gardens Banner Homes

Just two luxury five-bedroom homes remain for sale on this exclusive development in one of theregion’s most desirable residential areas. It’s a scheme that offers everything – uncompromisingspecification, village ambience, great schools and local facilities and easy access to the city.

RAINWORTH, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

FROM £114,396

Rufford Grange, Taylor Wimpey

WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE

FROM £204,995

TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE

FROM £29,375

DORRIDGE, WEST MIDLANDS

FROM £1,325 MILLIO.Click here to view more new

homes in the Midlands

New homes developments in the MIDLANDS

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Come and take a closer look.Call us on 0845 899 0560 or visit www.teottadrive.co.ukwww.bannerhomes.co.uk twitter.com/bannerhomesplc

The striking floor to ceiling windows, garage and allocated parking and the large open plan kitchens make these homes extremely desirable.

This development consists of:• Seven detached four bedroom homes• Two detached three bedroom homes• Two semi-detached three bedroom homes

Located on Wood Road, one of the most sought after roads in prestigious Tettenhall Wood, Teotta Drive is the epitome of modern living. Tettenhall, originally a small village, is now a highly desirable residential area just to the north west of Wolverhampton.

Photography features the show home, plot 11, Teotta Drive.

Tettenhall, Wood Road West Midlands WV6 8AU

The PeRfeCT blenD of village and Town life, STriking and conTemporary in deSign

Please scan the code with your smart phone.

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Linden Homes has reported that nearly half the homes at its Dunelm Farm development in Ricall, North Yorkshire, have already been sold off-plan. Buyers will have to act quickly to secure one of the remaining homes there to secure one of the two, three or four bedroom properties. While the first homes at the Richale Park development in Ricall will be ready in November or December.

NORTH EAST

Two Castles Housing Association has started work on 13 affordable homes in Northumberland for local people who are in the greatest housing need. The £1.7m affordable housing development in Bellingham is aimed at local people with a connection to the village or local area.

Northumberland

Ricall, North Yorkshire

Ben Bailey Homes has unveiled a new show home at The Grange in Caistor, Lincolnshire. The four-bedroom ‘Newstead Elite’ has been professionally designed to show the latest standard fixtures and fittings and some of

the options that buyers have to personalise their new home. The Grange comprises 99 two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses, bungalows and detached houses for sale with prices starting at £159,995 on the current phase.

Caistor, Lincolnshire

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Northumberland

With a variety of homes with from two to five bedrooms, a number of purchase incentive schemes on offer and a location just 15 miles from York, this development is certain to attract a wide range of homebuyers in this region.

Cotton Field View Ben Bailey HomesThere is a new show home open at this semi-rural village development, demonstrating the build-quality and internal specification that comes as standard from Ben Bailey Homes. Close to the M62, homes here are convenient for travelling to Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Hull.

Holtby Gardens Redrow HomesQuartermile is a landmark Cottingham is considered to be the largest village in England, and it makes a delightful location for this collection of homes. With two-, three- and four-bedroom property types available, Holtby Gardens could make the ideal destination for a wide range of house-hunters.

Centurion Park Linden Homes

Only 14 three-, four- and five-bedroom homes will comprise Centurion Park when it is completed,all within easy reach of the shops and amenities of this market town and boasting great views of the dramatic Northumberland countryside.

SELBY, NORTH YORKSHIRE

FROM £114,950

Holmes Meadow Bovis Homes

SCHOLES, WEST YORKSHIRE

FROM £239,950

COTTINGHAM, EAST YORKSHIRE

FROM £139,999

HALTWHISTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND

FROM £145,000Click here to view more new

homes in the North East

New homes developments in the NORTH EAST

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What House? Awards Best Exterior Design 2011

Marc Da Silva reflects on the winners of last year’s prestigious What House? Awards and another hotly contested category

The United House team celebrate their Gold award

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Whether it’s a striking façade, bold development or a house that stands out a mile, the award for Best Exterior Design goes to the best looking property. The competition was tight in 2011 but the gold went to United House and Londonewcastle for Arundel Square in Islington, London, N7. With terraces built along three sides, the way in which completion of the fourth side of the square, blighted by an unsightly railway line, was rewarded by the judges who commented that the developers had steered away from a “pastiche approach to the external challenge; rather adopting a more contemporary look”.The development comprises 146 new homes ranging in price from £285,000 to £1.5m with plenty of green space and some delightful landscaping.

The judges particularly liked the balcony treatment, with blue and green colours and stained-glass finishes with galvanised steel rails. One of the outstanding qualities of Arundel Square was that its design was delivered through comprehensive consultation between the client, Islington council´s Greenspace team and the local community to ensure it would offer something to all age groups. Jeffrey Adams, Group Chief Executive of United House, said: “Our developments are characterised by outstanding architecture, meticulous attention to detail and a real environmental agenda. Our schemes are delivered by a highly skilled in-house construction team who are in control and committed to creating the very best developments.”

The Silver gong went to two developments Gladedale Capital for Quartmile in Edinburgh and Berkeley Homes for Park Crescent at Kingsbrook park in Canterbury, Kent. Judges said of the Quartermile Development, which won gold at the awards the previous year,: “Victorian Grade A and B listed stone buildings and modern new apartments, conversion and new build - it could have proved a monstrous clash of styles and forms, but it works. If you were picking a tough architectural fight you would head for a World Heritage Site in the city of Edinburgh, which takes its architectural heritage very seriously.” Plans for the site include over 900 new homes, around 350,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, a 65 bed hotel and some 55,000 sq ft of retail space designed by architects Foster & Partners. Rupert Bates editorial director of whathouse.co.uk commented on Park Crescent: “The Berkeley Group is one of the UK’s best new home developers. Having earned themselves a first-class reputation for building top quality new homes across London and the Home

Counties constructing lavish houses to top quality apartments, they aspire to cater to all buyer needs.”

Bronze went to Barratt London for St Andrews in Bromley-by-Bow, London. “In a category of outstanding entries, Barratt wins a well-deserved podium finish, with the promise of more to come as this fascinating project plays out,” said What House? judges.

What House? Awards Best Exterior Design 2011

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The latest news on new

affordable homes developments

in Britain

Liverpool – Countryside Properties has been given planning permission to develop 12 affordable homes in Ellesmere Port. The developer is already building 29 units in the local area.

Morton, Lincolnshire – Larkfleet Homes has started work on 20 affordable homes in Bourne Road, Morton. The development will feature 12 two-bedroom houses, two two-bedroom bungalows, and two four-bedroom houses.

Wrexhan, Wales –As much as £13m is being made available for the construction of affordable homes in Wrexham. Rhyl-based Anwyl Construction is building 127 new homes on two sites in partnership with Wrexham council on two sites in Kingsmills Road and Rivulet Road.

Cranbrook, nr Exeter, Devon – The first new affordable homes in Cranbrook near Exeter, East Devon, will be delivered in September. A total of 328 new homes will be provided for affordable housing in the first phase.

Winchburgh, West Lothian, Scotland – Construction has now begun on the new Winchburgh Development near Edinburgh.On completion the new town will include 3,450 new homes including affordable housing and a range of community facilities.

AFFORDABLE HOMES

Peacehaven, East Sussex – Bovis Homes has a number of new homes available under the FirstBuy scheme at its Meridian End development, Peacehaven, on the beautiful East Sussex coast.

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Just five minutes from Wood Green tube station, Indigo provides a mix of shared ownership apartments and houses for sale with one, two or three bedrooms, set in landscaped ground with a new children’s play area. Buyers can purchase a minimum 40% share.

Shortroods Sanctuary HousingThe Scottish government’s New Supply Shared Equity scheme makes it possible to defer up to 40% of the price of a brand new home at this development that is ideally located for access to the M8 and for Glasgow Airport.

The Compass Affinity SuttonBuyers looking for a central location in Southampton can find a mix of one- and two-bedroom shared ownership apartments with a great specification at The Compass. The minimum shared that can be purchased is 25%. The minimum salary requirement is £18,000 (single) and £22,000 (joint).

The Residence Bromford Homes

Coming soon to the southeastern outskirts of this historic town is the chance to buy a 25% share ofa brand new home with two double bedrooms, fitted kitchen, central heating, allocated parking andturfed front and rear gardens.

HARINGEY, LONDON

FROM £76,000

Indigo Notting Hill Housing

PAISLEY, RENFREWSHIRE

FROM £66,000

SOUTHAMPTON, HAMPSHIRE

FROM £28.750

STRAFORD-UPON-AVON WARWICKSHIRE

FROM £48,750Click here to view more new

affordable homes

New AFFORDABLE HOMES developments

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Rebecca Calvert and Paul Mackenzie, from Norfolk town, were the first couple in the UK to complete a government-backed NewBuy property purchase with the Halifax – just three months after the project started. They were living with their respective parents and struggling to save for a deposit for their first home. But, through the NewBuy scheme, they managed to get their hands on a two-bedroom apartment with a 95% mortgage in King’s Lynn, in the Taylor Wimpey Kings Reach development. The 5% deposit they needed was well within their reach and they found a deal that suited them. “The scheme was ideal for our requirements as it allowed us to get on the property ladder sooner than we thought possible,” says Rebecca, a supermarket employee.

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CASE STUDY

People are always looking for the catch with affordable housing, but these two young couples managed to get their foot on the property ladder when circumstances were against them thanks to available deals.

Whereas Chris Campbell and Victoria Moffat had travelled the world together before starting over in Scotland. After just one year, they were already settled into their own home in Campsie Village, just outside of Glasgow. They purchased their Mactaggart & Mickel home through a shared equity scheme and were able to afford the kind of home they thought was out of their price range.

Chris says: “Buying our own home would have been a struggle without Mactaggart & Mickel Homes’ help.

“Their shared equity scheme meant that we could afford the kind of home we really wanted, while the sales assistants on site were honest and helpful from our very first meeting, which meant we could make informed decisions and always felt well looked after.”

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Homebuyers in North London hoping to find a property in the area that really has the wow factor should check out The Spinney, an exclusive new gated development in leafy Northwood from Banner Homes. With one of only three properties at the site already sold, there are now just two five-bedroom detached houses for sale at the site.

Hillingdon, North London

Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey and L&Q have been selected to develop 870 new homes on the 23 acre Chobham Manor site as part of the first of five Olympic neighbourhoods in east London, which will include close to 300 affordable homes.The overall scheme for the Olympic site - which will be renamed Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - is expected to create up to 11,000 new homes over the next two

decades, of which more than a third will be affordable housing.

Chobham Manor, East London

LONDON

The launch of Verge Mayfair on Oxford Street by Oakmayne Bespoke, a boutique residential scheme of ten luxury apartments and two penthouses, with a fashion inspired specification and look, is sure to appeal to wealthy national and international homebuyers looking to find a property in prime central London.

Oxford Street, Central London

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Page 45: August Magazine

Oxford Street, Central London

Located in one of central London’s most fashionable areas, the nine apartments at Paul Street provide high-specification living on the doorstep of the City. The hi-tech interiors are the perfect complement to the chic urban lifestyle for which this district is famous.

Liverpool Road Currell ResidentialContemporary architecture is matched to a stylish interior at this apartment development, ideally situated for the amenities and transport links of Highbury & Islington and Angel, as well as a wealth of shops and recreational options in Upper Street and Essex Road.

Fulham Reach St GeorgeWith landscaped gardens and waterside promenade, Fulham reach epitomises stylish contemporary riverside apartment living on the banks of the Thames in a perennially popular part of west London. Residents-only facilities include a gym, spa, pool, movie room and virtual golf.

Wembley Central St Modwen

Providing not just a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes, Wembley Central will also offer new retail units to add to the area’s wide range of existing amenities. Some properties boast views of the iconic new Wembley Stadium.

SHOREDITCH

FROM £460,000

Paul Street United House

ISLINGTON

FROM £495,000

FULHAM

FROM £749,950

WEMBLEY

FROM £199,995Click here to view more new

homes in London

New homes developments in LONDON

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SOUTH WEST

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Housebuilders Persimmon and Bloor Homes have submitted planning applications for the construction of 171 new homes on two sites in south Bridgwater, Somerset. Bloor Homes wants to develop 71 new homes as well as garages on land at Campion Way. Meanwhile, a public consultation is already well underway on a separate proposal by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley to construct 100 new homes on a vacant field located north of Dawes Farm.

Bridgwater, Somerset

House buyers have a good choice of new homes in Exeter and the surrounding area, ranging from urban apartments to suburban family homes and properties in tranquil

rural locations. Linden Homes, Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey, McCarthy and Stone and Bovis Homes all have developments on offer in and around the city.

Exeter, Devon

Plans for almost 100 new homes in Bath and North East Somerset’s biggest village are to be submitted by Bristol-based housebuilder Edward Ware Homes. The developer wants to construct 94 new homes on Greenland Road in Peasedown St John, including a proportion of affordable homes.

Peasedown St John, Somerset

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Page 47: August Magazine

The development is the result of a partnership between Linden Homes and English Partnerships. The current phase offers a number of contemporary four-bedroom townhouse properties that willbenefit from a number of infrastructure and amenity improvements to the local area.

Cobham Field Cavanna HomesThe two-, three- and four-bedroom homes at Cobham Field are well located for the wealth of shops and facilities in the centre of Plymouth. The city is undergoing some significant investment and infrastructure improvements and is one of the best-connected cities in the region.

Archers Gate Bloor HomesArchers Gate is providing much more than just a range of stylish new homes at Archers Gate: there are a number of new facilities for residents, such as a school, play area and community hall, and a range of new shops under construction.

New Mills Perry Bishop & Chambers

The Cotswold market town of Nailsworth is the location for these apartments and cottages. The characterful and traditional appearance of these new homes belies a thoroughly modern interiorspecification. Residents also benefit from off-road and undercroft parking.

CAMBORNE, CORNWALL

FROM £172,950

Boslowen Linden Homes

PLYMOUTH, DEVON

FROM £189,950

AMESBURY, WILTSHIRE

FROM £219,950

NAILSWORTH, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

FROM £249,950Click here to view more new

homes in the South West

New homes developments in the SOUTH WEST

Page 48: August Magazine

DevonFocus on

One of the largest counties in England, Devon, or Devonshire as it can be referred to, has everything from the historic city of Exeter to the port city of Plymouth, favourite holiday destinations like Torquay, some of the best surfing spots in the UK and a lot of rural space with the stunning Dartmoor National Park.

Sharing borders with Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, it’s the only county in the UK to have two separate coastlines and touches the English Channel, the Bristol Channel and the Celtic Sea. Not to mention having England’s only natural UNESCO

World Heritage Site - the Dorset and East Devon Coast, known as the Jurassic Coast for its geology and geographical features.

Exeter, as the county town, is on the River Exe, and about 37 miles northeast of Plymouth, and 70 miles southwest of Bristol.

Despite dating back to pre-Roman times, it offers all the modern amenities of a busy city with prestigious schools and a respected university. The M5 motorway to Bristol and Birmingham starts at Exeter, and connects at Bristol with the M4 to London and South Wales and there are

also strong public transport links. Navy city Plymouth is currently undergoing a massive regeneration project to include a range of new facilities and homes and which will be completed by 2020. The port has excellent travel links to France and Spain and the city itself offers much for people from all walks of life. Away from the cities, the vast county has a diverse range of different places to call home from the numerous coastal settlements like Torbay and Ilfracombe to the rural market towns like Barnstable and Totnes.

Exeter

Nature lovers and city dwellers alike will find all they need in Devon

Page 49: August Magazine

Devon

£119,995 Vision, Devonport by Redrow is a new mixed use community two miles from Plymouth city centre and close to the main railway line. It’s surrounded in nature As the perfect investment for a first time buyer, this two-bedroom flat in the Mayflower area of the development has an open plan lounge, kitchen and dining room and a modern fitted bathroom. The property is also close to the south coast beaches and Dartmoor National Park.

£195,000 Within close proximity of Plymouth city centre on the South Devon coastline, Cobham Field by Cavanna Homes is a new development of 72 properties, offering a mix of two-, three-and four- bedroom homes. This three-bedroom ‘Allington’ house is a compact size for starting a family in with a living room, kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms, an en-suite and a bathroom. These modern homes provide low-maintenance, energy-efficient living, with solar panels.

£3million This newly built contemporary seven-bedroom home located in the highly regarded coastal village of Stoke Fleming. With dramatic views of the South Devon coastline, this outstanding property offers nearly 8,000 sq ft of stunning interior living and entertaining space, including seven bedrooms and an indoor swimming pool complex with gym and a cinema room. Developed by an individual, Frenchman’s Creek is in the coastal town of Stoke Fleming.

New-build on a budget

A perfect family home

Lottery winner’s wish list

Page 50: August Magazine

SomersetFocus on

In the south-west of England, ceremonial county Somerset borders Bristol, Devon and the Bristol Channel and is often misunderstood to be a sleepy hollow full of rolling hills, quaint thatched pubs and cider producers. However, The Land of the Summer People, as it was described by the Welsh Celts and the Saxons, has plenty to offer including the vibrant city of Bath, the home of the British rock music festival Glastonbury and popular seaside resorts like Weston-Super-Mare.

Bath is 97 miles west of London, 13 miles southeast of Bristol, and has been a holiday destination of choice for people across the UK since Roman times due to its natural thermal spa. But away from the tourism, the beautiful city has a good range of schools, excellent facilities including several public parks, and easy transport links to Bristol, the M4, Cardiff and London.

Historic, inland, towns like Taunton, Yeovil and Keynsham offer quiet surroundings combined with essential facilities

for families. Whereas seaside resorts like Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Portishead and North Weston are exciting places to call home and have transport links to Bristol.

With agriculture as the county’s prime industry, there is a lot of countryside in Somerset to explore for those that love outdoor pursuits and to get away from civilization for a while. With many beautiful valleys, hill ranges and interesting rock formations there are many wonders to explore.

Glastonbury

This ever-popular county offers a wealth of new homes choices

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£115,950 Trinity Park by Bloor Homes mixes the old and the new in the historic market town of Frome. The development offers a stunning range of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, with a local station, shops, and everything you need close by. The ‘Rotherfield’ is a detached one-bedroom coach house which is ideal as a starter home or as an investment. The property benefits from a good-sized light and airy living area. The kitchen includes a stainless steel oven, hob and extractor hood as well as an integrated fridge freezer. The ‘Rotherfield’ has its own garage which has power and light and also incorporates a useful store cupboard.

£239,950 Locking Parklands by St Modwen Properties is set in a large area of open parkland containing play areas and wildlife habitats. Everyone who lives in the Weston-Super-Mare development will enjoy a greener lifestyle, thanks to homes with energy efficient appliances, solar panels for heating and high levels of insulation. The ‘Maple’ in plot FR.04 is a three-bedroom house with kitchen/ dining room, living room, three bedrooms, dressing area, and en suite.

£795,000 On a quiet and sought-after road next to the University of Bath, this detached contemporary house has a kitchen/dining/living room with wood burning stove and French windows into garden and folding doors into sitting room, four bedrooms, two at ground floor level and two en suite & further bathroom. Claverton Down also has an air source pump providing under-floor heating throughout. Solar thermal roof panels supplying electricity to provide hot water with any excess directed to assist under-floor heating. Air ventilation recovery systems providing extraction, filtration and circulation of fresh air throughout the house. There is also a driveway with space for two or three cars in this privately developed property.

New-build on a budget

A perfect family home

Lottery winner’s wish list

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It’s hard to imagine a more perfect location for an environmentally friendly development like Rocky Lane than a World Heritage site.

On the rugged, UNESCO protected, west coast of Cornwall, the set of 10 detached homes are low carbon and personalised to the buyer’s taste.

The development are set in 3.5 acres of private woodland overlooking Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes and the aim of the housebuilders from the beginning was to minimise the homes’ impact on the environment.

Each property has been carefully conceived to work with the topography of the site and respect its natural beauty. Simon Blackburn of Living Structures, the developer behind Rocky Lane, says: “At Rocky Lane, we have a very special site –

a beautiful woodland area which is a finite commodity, especially rare in this part of Cornwall, so the concept for the development was all about enhancing this, treading lightly on the land and

encompassing sustainability in all aspects. The properties have a wide range of energy-saving features, but it’s more than that - we also wanted to create something that looked beautiful and that complemented the natural beauty and rich history of the surrounding area, and used innovative design to make the

properties as luxurious and spacious as possible for their owners.”

The properties are made with red cedar siding externally to echo the woodland setting and energy saving features include super insulation, energy-efficient windows, air source heat pumps and passive ventilation. All these features mean the new home owners will have significantly lower utility bills. The timber frame construction has the lowest co2 cost of any commercially available building material.

Phase two of the development has just been released for sale and prices range from £295,000 for a one-bedroom (1,000 sq ft) house to £650,000 for a four-bedroom (2,000 sq ft) house. They are exempt from stamp duty.

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Green Property of the Month

Image gallery

Page 53: August Magazine

It is estimated that around three million people have taken out a payday loan since the start of the credit crunch. Yet it has emerged that mortgage lenders are refusing loans to people who have taken out such a loan - ending the mortgage hopes of thousands of first-time buyers. A report in the Daily Mail found that “families forced to turn to the short-term loans are routinely being refused mortgages”, even if they have paid them in full and on time.

Short-term ‘payday’ loans have grown in popularity over recent years. They let borrowers take out a short-term loan for a small amount, although the interest rates on such lending can be as high as 4,000%. Since

January this year, many of the large payday loan companies have been sharing their customer’s data with credit reference agencies. These are the same agencies that banks access to check your files if you apply for a mortgage. With more information now being available on borrowers, some mortgage companies are, according to the Daily Mail, “routinely turning down families who have taken out such loans - even if they have good payment records.”

One payday loan could jeopardise your chance of getting on the property ladder

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MORTGAGES

Two of the UK’s biggest lenders have reduced their lending rates and increased the range of deals available to broker clients. Abbey for Intermediaries, part of the Santander group, and Halifax have improved their deals as the war between lenders intensifies. Halifax has recently slashed the rates and fees on some of their deals. First-time buyers looking for a two-year fixed rate at either 80% or 85% loan-to-value will now not pay any booking fee for the deal, while fixed-rate deals for other clients have been reduced by up to 0.2%.

While Abbey for Intermediaries increased the number of low-rate mortgages available to borrowers. The broker arm of Santander has made two of its market-leading products available to a wide range of brokers.

Mortgage war leads to lending rates falling and the range of deals rising

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Page 54: August Magazine

The UK’s leading retirement developer, McCarthy & Stone, is asking the over 60s in Scotland to get in touch with their “Wish List” of want-to-do activities for later life. All responses received by the company will be entered into a free prize draw to win one of five fantastic holidays, with McCarthy & Stone revealing what tops this want-to-do list.

Suzanne McElhiney, marketing manager for McCarthy & Stone in Scotland, says: “Our retirement apartments are built around a belief that later life can be rich, rewarding and hugely fulfilling. It’s your home and you own it. But the

low maintenance lifestyle on offer means you get the freedom to do what you’ve always wanted, so tear up your ‘have-to-do list’ and let us know what you want to do instead!”

Prizes for the competition include an eight-day escorted tour of Italy, a four-star holiday in Spain, a special-interest holiday in the UK, a five-night luxury hotel break in the UK and a Mediterranean cruise. Closing date for entries is 30th September 2012.

McCarthy & Stone is currently selling a range of purpose-built, one- and two-bedroom later-life apartments at its

new-build developments in Scotland, where prices currently start from as little as £99,950.

As well as the low-maintenance lifestyle, purchasers of new-build retirement properties can benefit from maintained landscaped gardens, a communal lounge and the peace of mind of added security. To make moving easier, McCarthy & Stone can also help purchasers sell their current home at a pre-agreed price, covering many of the costs associated with the sale, including estate agent, solicitor and removal fees.

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RETIREMENT

McCarthy & Stone invites entries to its Retirement Wish List competition

Page 55: August Magazine

A collection of one- and two-bedroom retirement apartments in the London Borough of Sutton. Each home has an excellent standard specification and the development is located close to many important local amenities including the shops and a railway station.

Pegasus Court, Pegasus Retirement HomesThis development’s unique selling point is its location on the boundary of Taunton’s cricket ground. Owners get lifetime membership of Somerset County Cricket Club as well as fantastic views of the pitch and river from the contemporary-styled apartment block.

Denham Garden Village AnchorAn award-winning development of two- and three-bedroom retirement properties just a mile fromDenham village. The scheme incorporates 30 acres of woodland and a number of useful amenitiesfor residents including a shop, café-bar, guest suite and spa.

The Croft Larkfleet Homes

A development for over-55s, The Croft features a restored manor house and a collection of new-build chalets and bungalows close to the heart of the market town of Bourne, with a supermarket,doctor’s surgery and bus stop only minutes from home.

WALLINGTON, LONDON

FROM £219,950

Bramble Lodge Churchill Retirement Living

TAUNTON, SOMERSET

FROM £209,950

DENHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

FROM £360,000

BOURNE, LINCOLNSHIRE

FROM £145,000Click here to view more new

retirement homes

New RETIREMENT HOMES developments

Page 56: August Magazine

NORTH WEST

LancashireSouth Ribble’s planning committee recently gave Bloor Homes the green light to build a further 80 homes and expand Buckshaw Village on the former Royal Ordinance site.

The proposals show three one bedroom, eight two bedroom, 11 three bedroom, 47 four bedroom and 11 five bedroom houses on the site east of the A49 Wigan Road.

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Redrow is aiming to satisfy a notable local demand for new-build housing with the recent launch of its latest development of new homes in Liverpool, The Avenue at Summerhill Park. There are 100 new homes planned for the scheme, a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties. The first phase of three- and four-bedroom houses for sale is available off-plan while the Redrow team completes the show homes, with prices starting at £179,995.

Liverpool

Lovell has a large portfolio of new homes in Manchester currently on offer. In up-and-coming east Manchester The Way and Gener8 developments offer buyers the best of the city and some greenery. Windermere Gardens and Windermere Park offer easy access to Manchester but also Bolton, Rochdale and Oldham.

Manchester

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Page 57: August Magazine

A collection of four-bedroom property types located on the outskirts of Blackpool, providing convenient access to the town’s extensive amenities, the airport and the M55 as well as the glorious beaches of the Lancashire coast.

The Elms Lovell HomesSituated in the southwest of Carlisle, close to a number of schools, parks and leisure facilities, this development also offers residents convenient access to the city centre, the M56 motorway and the beauty of the Lake District National Park.

Speakman Gardens Taylor WimpeyThese two-, three- and four-bedroom homes offer proximity to the historic local town centre, bustling Liverpool city centre, a number of educational establishments (from nursery age to university) and transport links to Chester and Manchester.

Smithills Glade Bovis Homes

These new apartments and houses enjoy a waterside setting surrounded by woodland, just a short distance from the shops and amenities of Bolton town centre and within easy reach of Manchester, its airport and the motorway network.

BLACKPOOL, LANCASHIRE

FROM £237,995

Whitehill Meadows Redrow Homes

CARLISLE, CUMBRIA

FROM £124,995

PRESCOT, MERSEYSIDE

FROM £87,995

BOLTON, GREATER MANCHESTER

FROM £109,995Click here to view more new

homes in the North West

New homes developments in the NORTH WEST

Page 58: August Magazine

www.whathouse.co.uk

Rental values in England and Wales increased for the third month in a row in June, once again reinforcing the fact that now is a good time to invest in the buy-to-let market.

The latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services plc shows that average rents rose by 0.9% to £718 per calendar month, which is just short of the all-time high of £720pcm reached last autumn.

The hike in rental prices is ultimately being supported by historically high demand from tenants, including many would-be homebuyers struggling to secure a mortgage because of tight lending criteria.

LSL projects that the “sheer weight of tenant demand” will continue to push up rents across the country. But where is best to invest and where are property investors achieving the highest rental returns?

Rising rents mean better income returns than putting money in a savings account

INVESTMENT

Despite the recession residential property prices in London continue to buck the national trend and continue to rise due to a fundamental shortage of new homes being built.

The latest residential report by CBRE shows that over the last decade London’s population has grown by 850,000 whilst only

197,000 new homes in London have been built over the same period, adding to the supply-demand imbalance in the capital.

Many experts project that property values in London will continue to head north unless more new homes are built, including a rise in the

Severe shortage of new homes in London keeps property value increasing

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Page 59: August Magazine
Page 60: August Magazine

In the small Surrey village of Kingswood, there is a residential area which is commonly known as Arcadian. This title comes from the Greek idea of Arcadia as a utopian rural land and Kingswood gets this reputation due to its spacious grounds, lush landscape and large number of trees. In this area, Octagon Homes is developing Kingswood Warren Park with 22 plots in total. The development will be centered around a renovated mansion, dating back to 1837, which will be split into seven apartments. Around this mansion, there will be 14 luxury, detached, five-bedroom homes.

Dream Home

Page 61: August Magazine

Seven of these properties are being released initially on the 19 acre estate including the featured property. This show home is situated in plot 16 and has five bedrooms, a drawing room, a study, a TV den, a dining room, a family room, a dressing room and four bathrooms. It also has it’s own

terrace overlooking the rear garden. Each of the houses are set within large and secluded plots ranging from half to just over one acre. Surrounded by mature trees and hedgerows, each property is individually designed and traditionally built. The first seven properties start at £3million.

Image galleryPlot 16 is open daily from 10am – 4pm for viewing. For more information contact 020 8619 2211.

Plot 16, the show house at Kingswood Warren Park

Page 62: August Magazine

SCOTLAND

Renfrewshire has a lot on offer for old and new residents including a range of new developments. Situated close to Paisley town centre, Phase 2 of Sanctuary Housing’s Shortroods development comprises 83 new homes in a variety of styles. Ferry Village is a Taylor Wimpey development in Renfrew with four styles of apartment still available. House-hunters in Renfrewshire with a larger budget should check out Manor Kingdom’s Kip Village development at Inverkip. While Stewart Milne Homes’ collection of two- and three-bedroom apartments, four-bedroom townhouses and four-and five-bedroom detached villas at its Greenwood Manor development in Newton Mearns offers something to suit all sizes of family.

Renfrewshire

Miller Homes is now taking reservations for the third and final phase of its very successful luxury development at Graysmill, Craiglockhart, Edinburgh. The development offers eight five- and six-bedroom detached family villas in four styles, the ‘Adam’, the ‘Lorimar’, the award-

winning ‘Playfair’ and the ‘Mackintosh’. As the last of the three phases, the houses for sale at Graysmill Dell benefit from refinements based on feedback from earlier customers.

Craiglockhart, Edinburgh

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Many housebuilders in Scotland have picked up on a need for affordable property in Lanarkshire. Bett Homes has a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments on the market at its Orchard Park development in Motherwell, St John’s Park in Hamilton is a Barratt Homes development comprising one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as two- and three-bedroom

terraced, semi-detached and detached houses. Situated in the affluent Ferniegair area, Royale Gardens by Persimmon Homes offers a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and houses for sale.

Lanarkshire

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Page 63: August Magazine

Stewarton is ideally located for access to the M77, Glasgow, Kilmarnock and the Ayrshire coast. The three-, four- and five-bedroom homes at Laird’s Gate are from Stewart Milne Homes’ Woodlands Collection of house types and come with an enviable standard specification.

Stirling Bridge Cruden HomesJust two three-bedroom terraced villas remain for sale at this development in the heart of the University city, both available with shared equity or a 5%-deposit-paid offer.These new homes are convenient for everything the city has to offer and are just a few minutes from the M9.

Quartermile Gladedale GroupQuartermile is a landmark development in the heqrt of Edinburgh that combines some impressive contemporary architecture with the refurbishment of a number of beautiful historic buildings. This award-winning scheme epitomises modern city living in the Scottish capital.

Towngate Queensberry Properties

This walled development of only ten three- and four-bedroom ‘boutique’ homes is located at the entrance to Dalkeith Country Park, just a stroll from the shops and amenities of the town centre. Dalkeith is ideally located for city, coast and countryside.

STEWARTON, AYRSHIRE

FROM £153,950

Laird’s Gate Stewart Milne Homes

STIRLING

FROM £80,997

EDINBURGH

FROM £190,000

DALKEITH, MIDLOTHIAN

FROM £219,950Click here to view more new

homes in Scotland

New homes developments in SCOTLAND

Page 64: August Magazine

SOUTH EAST

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Leading UK housebuilder Taylor Wimpey currently has an impressive portfolio of new homes for sale in Hertfordshire, with a wide range of house sizes and styles to suit all tastes and budgets - many with special offers such as NewBuy and Part Exchange to help buyers secure their new home.

Ever popular three storey houses are available at Cathcart Gate in Kings Hill, Kent, from Hillreed Homes including the curved crescent of Cranbrook townhouses, which make an impressive sight on approaching Cathcart Gate and are reminiscent of Georgian terraces in heritage towns and cities such as Bath, the Egertons, which are three-bedroom, three-storey detached property with nearly 1,300 sq ft of accommodation.

Kings Hill, Kent

With only a handful of properties left to buy in the Nower Gate development in Dorking, award-winning housebuilder CALA Homes has introduced significant price reductions and incentives on these new homes in Surrey. Some of the houses for sale at the site have

been reduced by £30,000. With a 100% Market Value Part Exchange Scheme available and 3% stamp duty paid, a lucky few house-hunters could end up bagging a real bargain.

Dorking, Surrey

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Page 65: August Magazine

A mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom houses will appeal to many different house-hunters. The location combines convenience for the station, major roads and local amenities with easy access to the Hertfordshire countryside.

Milford Grange Bewley HomesJust one plot remains for sale at this development in Winnersh, a three-bedroom semi-detached house with two parking spaces. Milford Grange is in an excellent school catchment area and is well situated for shops and leisure facilities and transport connections.

Cathcart Gate Hillreed HomesHillreed Homes’ 11th development at the new village of King’s Hill offers some of its popular house types as well as a number of new ones, each providing a great standard specification with distinctive architecture and features greatly influenced by the Kent vernacular.

Mayfield Grange Weston Homes

Set in beautiful Sussex countryside, Mayfield Grange has a mix of new-build properties and some ina superbly converted listed former school building. The developer has provided each home with anexceptional specification to match the special location.

BOREHAMWOOD, HERTFORDSHIRE

FROM £199,950

Oaktrees, Taylor Wimpey

WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE

FROM £299,950

KING’S HILL, KENT

FROM £292,950

MAYFIELD, EAST SUSSEX

FROM £325,000Click here to view more new

homes in the South East

New homes developments in the SOUTH EAST

Page 66: August Magazine

For house-hunters in South Wales, award-winning developer Redrow Homes currently has an extensive portfolio of new developments near Cardiff, Swansea, Carmathen and the Brecon Beacons, many of which are ideally situated for commuters and families with children. They offer properties in the southwest, close to Carmarthen, in the Swansea Valley, close to Merthyr Tydfil and a range of developments around Cardiff.

Redrow

WALES

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Housebuilder Barratt Homes has recorded a noteworthy rise in new homes sales in South Wales in the past six months, suggesting that demand for new homes in Wales remain strong despite the recession.

Barratt Homes

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Page 67: August Magazine

This collection of apartments, townhouses, semi-detached and detached houses is ideally located for the North Wales coast and for the Snowdonia National Park. There are three primary schools within half a mile of home and easy access to major trunk roads, the A55 and A470.

Maes Ddraenen Wen Redrow HomesWithin easy reach of the Pembrokeshire coast, Brecon Beacons National Park and the M4, this development is ideally situated to make the most of everything that the local area has to offer and to have simple access to the major cities of South Wales and beyond.

Brunel Court Taylor WimpeyThese high-specification homes are set in the village of Radyr, just four miles north of the Welsh capital. The final phase is now released, providing a last opportunity for house-hunters to secure a property on this well-situated development.

Parc Eglwys Lovell Homes

Just over a mile from the M4, this development is located in the sought-after address of Bassaleg,on the edge of countryside just northwest of Newport. Local schools have a good reputation and themotorway makes this a great semi-rural retreat for commuters.

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION, CONWY

FROM £109,950

Victoria Park Macbryde Homes

CARMARTHEN, CARMARTHENSHIRE

FROM £189,995

CARDIFF, SOUTH GLAMORGAN

FROM £240,995

NEWPORT, GWENT

FROM £179,950Click here to view more new

homes in Wales

New homes developments in WALES

Page 68: August Magazine

On the go but looking to move?

whathouse.co.ukThe best new homes in Britain

It’s now easier than ever to check out the latest new homes developments around Britain on the move, thanks to the new free app from whathouse.co.uk, the UK’s most trusted new homes portal.Available for iPhone, iPad and Android, you can check out the details of thousands of new-build homes and new affordable homes from a wide range of housebuilders in Britain. You can now tap in your criteria on your mobile device and instantly get information on prices, plots and special offers, look at pictures and plans of the homes you like and find their location on a map.Wherever you are, and wherever you want to be, your search for a new home just got easier with the free whathouse.co.uk app. Download it today.