WhatHouse? Southern July & August 2015

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

July/August 2015

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planning regulations 3

Government announces Welcome! planning shake-up to S get Britain building The Conservatives hope that new planning measures will free up the housebuilding in the UK, but what do the industry experts think?

T

he government has wasted little time in setting out a plan to increase the number of new homes being built in the UK. After a summer Budget that focussed on buy-to-let reform, social housing and inheritance tax changes, chancellor George Osborne and business secretary Sajid Javid waited two days before announcing plans to revitalise housebuilding in the UK as part of the government’s Fixing the Foundations plan.

In the run up to May’s election, housebuilding (or the lack thereof) was high on the agenda, with limiting factors including planning restraints, landbanking and skills shortages all coming under the microscope. Indeed, output in the construction industry has decreased by 1.3% according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, with housebuilding reporting the largest drop in four years, 5.8%, further outlining the need for government intervention to increase the new homes supply.

Under the reforms, a zonal system

will be set up, allowing automatic planning permission on designated brownfield sites, cutting red tape and delays and allowing rapid development on derelict land in towns and cities.

Another new law will allow the government to impose a housing plan on any local authorities who fail to produce their own, as well as implementing penalties on councils who are slow to process planning applications. A separate reform will end the need for London homeowners to apply for planning permission to extend properties up to the height of an adjoining building.

The government plans to create 200,000 starter homes and 275,000 affordable homes by 2020, a target that the chancellor accepts is unachievable under the long-standing planning rules.

CRITICISM The planned introduction of the zonal system has not been universally welcomed, with critics suggesting that the automatic granting of planning permission will take power away

from local authorities and result in an increased risk of hastily created and poorly planned developments.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association, said: “Our real concern is if you can’t have a conversation about things like internal space standards, accessibility and green space, we’re really risking creating slums of the future. We appreciate the government wants to speed things up, but it shouldn’t just be about quantity but quality. If planning is deregulated any further, we’ll end up with places that we’re going to regret building.”

There is also the question of whether the planning reforms will result in a

greater proportion of affordable homes being built. The Office for Budget Responsibility, set up by the government in 2010, said the restrictions placed on housing association rents in the Budget announcement would have a knockon effect on housebuilding, reducing rather than increasing the number of affordable homes built. They said: “The government’s decision to impose 1% annual rent reductions in the social rented sector for four years from April 2016 will directly reduce social landlords’ rental income, and therefore their financing for investing in new housebuilding...Over the forecast period, our assumptions suggest around 14,000 fewer affordable homes will be built.”

INDUSTRY REACTION

WHAT THEY SAID

Sajid Javid, business secretary “We’re going to introduce a new zonal system, which will effectively give automatic planning permission on suitable brownfield sites...

We’ll make sure the homes that are needed get built – if a council fails to produce a suitable local plan, we’ll have it done for them.

And we’ll be devolving major new planning powers to London and Greater Manchester.

“We’re also going to remove the need for Londoners to seek planning permission for upwards extensions up to the height of an adjoining building, provided your neighbours don’t object.”

George Osborne, chancellor “I am not prepared to stand by when people who want to get on the housing ladder can’t do so.

We’ll keep on protecting the green belt, but these latest planning reforms are a vital part of a comprehensive plan to confront the challenge of our lifetime and raise productivity and living standards.”

Shabana Mahmood, shadow treasury secretary “The [Fixing the Foundations] document is a patchwork of existing schemes rather than a substantial reform to boost skills, business growth and wages.”

Estate Agents Glynis Frew, managing director of Hunters “This will undoubtedly create a lot more movement at all levels in the market and will not only create new homes but also a number of new jobs in the housing and construction sector.”

Nicholas Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops and Staff “The government needs to ensure that these sweeping reforms do not get obstructed by the detailed negotiations which surround any planning application. Delays are often more about roads and communal facilities as the level of housing. These are all important elements in creating new communities and must be factored in to the promised changes.”

Housebuilders Steve Sanham, development director at London housebuilder HUB “This is a very positive announcement by the chancellor, but as with previous announcements about simplifying the planning system, which have only had limited

impact, the devil will be in the detail.

“Automatic consent will terrify the only recently empowered localism lobby, and the success of such sweeping changes will be the balancing of those important parts of the localism agenda such as the quality, and meeting local need, with the wider socioeconomic benefits of quicker and simpler development.”

Steve Errington, chief executive of Story Homes “We welcome the government proposals to grant automatic planning permission on brownfield sites. These moves will undoubtedly help developers who are looking to build on brownfield sites to get schemes built quickly and to help customers into their new homes.

Proposals to speed up the planning process across the board are also welcomed as this will stop costly delays for developers.

“Britain needs more homes and moves to help homebuilders achieve this will give confidence to the industry. But, although unlocking brownfield land is a very positive move, the shortfall of new housing supply will not be fulfilled with brownfield land alone.”

i r Lawrie Barratt, who gave his name to one of Britain’s biggest housebuilders, is the man credited with bringing the show house into popular usage, nearly 50 years ago.

For many people, it’s still a vital component in the homebuying process (in the new build sector) and let’s be honest, that principle also stands in the resale market inasmuch as vendors usually go to great lengths to freshen up their home before putting it on the market. Many will spend a lot of time and money on repainting and decorating to achieve a ‘show house’ feel.

While off-plan buying is certainly popular with many investors – usually because the ‘early birds’ are likely to see the largest capital appreciation – for people who are buying a home for themselves, there’s often a desire to see and feel the quality of the product first-hand.

Even in an age where many of us conduct significant parts of our life online and remotely, there are some things that just don’t seem right without some personal attention.

‘Big ticket’ items, such as cars and homes, are perhaps the most common examples of the latter.

I see a lot of show homes in my job, as I get out and about pretty frequently to see a wide range of new homes, from compact shared ownership apartments to huge luxury mansions. While the budgets are certainly different, the tenets of bringing a show home are basically the same across the spectrum.

There are always a few key areas which need the wow factor – kitchens, master bedrooms and bathrooms, primarily – and it is in these rooms that the generic neutral look applied to many show homes is often given a more audacious touch. It may be some ultra-stylish accessories, a bespoke headboard or some lavish towels and beauty products – something that the house-hunter will take away as a particular memento to differentiate that property from the others they have seen.

Even if you’re not looking to buy a new build home, if you’re selling a property, it’s worth taking a look at what’s on the market because your current home is fighting against these properties for the same buyers. With some creativity, you could achieve a similar look without spending an absolute fortune and if it helps secure a quick sell or your target price, it will be time and money well spent.

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.

A chance to win £50 It couldn’t be simpler – just ‘follow’ us on Twitter (@What_House) One of our new followers from 3rd August to 1st September will win £50 in Marks and Spencer vouchers

Keith Osborne started writing about property 14 years ago and has been editor of Whathouse. com since 2010. He is currently a columnist in housebuilding trade magazine Show House and has previously written for Homes Overseas magazine. He has also been a part of the WhatHouse? Awards judging panel for a number of years.

Managing director Daniel Hill Editorial director Rupert Bates Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com Assistant editor Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.com Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost Designer Sarah Davies Contributors Marc Da Silva Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham Tilly Rubens Sales director Adrian Talbot at@globespanmedia.com Head of sales Andy Lunn al@whathouse.com Business development manager Steve Coyle sc@whathouse.com Sales manager Murad Paloba mp@whathouse.com Head of digital Simon Phillips simon@whathouse.com

Stephen Maunder is assistant editor of Whathouse.com, having previously spent 18 months there as a freelance special correspondent. He has a background in academic research and has worked at Sky News as a picture researcher. He has also written for BBC News, Huffi ngton Post UK and the Shropshire Huffington Star newspaper.

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6 six appeal

Find your new home at whathouse.com/new-homes

Birds Hill Drive, Oxshott, Surrey • £6.75m This magnificent family home comes with not one but two pools – one indoor and one outdoor!

As you might expect with such a hefty price tag, you’ll want for nothing. The house has a 1.5-acre garden on the prestigious Crown Estate in one of Surrey’s most soughtafter residential areas. You’ll probably find yourself the neighbour of a Chelsea football player or two.

With seven bedroom, including six suites, together with five reception rooms, there’s plenty of room for family and guests, who, if they don’t fancy a dip, could make use of the gym, sauna or hot tub. There’s separate accommodation in the annexe for staff, to help you deal with all the towels you’ll be using.

The kitchen/breakfast room makes a great indoor entertaining space, with an extensive outdoor/barbecue area for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

You’ll also have access to Prince’s Coverts, which is managed woodland owned by the Crown Estate.

A triple garage, high levels of security, air conditioning to the kitchen area and ultra-fast broadband throughout complete the package.

From: John D Wood Contact: 01932 864252

Six appeal Our pick of luxury homes on the market that come with a swimming pool Lexicon, London EC1 • From £715,000

‘The Lodge’, Ipswich, Suffolk • £1.25m

Standing tall in the heart of one of London’s most exciting stretches of regeneration is this development by Mount Anvil in joint venture with Affinity Sutton, which will produce an iconic, 36-storey tower, designed by worldrenowned architects SOM – the architects behind the world’s tallest building, Duabi’s Burj Khalifa – and Squire & Partners.

Lexicon offers 307 new homes (200 of which for private sale), in a canalside setting just moments from Tech City in EC1.

‘The Lodge’ is located adjacent to open fields and farmland on Tuddenham Road, on the northeast outskirts of Ipswich. This property has been the home of the current owners for a number of years, during which time they have heavily extended and remodelled it to create this substantial family residence.

The accommodation, which is of contemporary design and split across two floors, stretches to approximately 4,000 sq ft.

It is set on a plot of approximately 1.3 acres and boasts a noteworthy swimming pool complex, which has a 6m x 15m pool, with a maximum depth of 2.5m, two changing rooms with shower facilities, a sauna area and a sauna room. The complex was constructed in 2012 and the current vendor has a number of lease arrangements that provide an income

Expect incredible London views from the apartments inside Islington’s tallest residential building. Residents will benefit from a 24hour concierge and exclusive lounge. The icing on the cake is the luxurious residentsonly spa, with its pool, gym, sauna and steam room, offering an oasis of calm away from the throng of the City.

From: Mount Anvil Contact: 020 7205 4017

from the pool. Further details about these are available on request.

The property has six double bedrooms with an en suite shower room and dressing room to the master bedroom. There are four reception rooms, a large family bathroom and a double garage, and the house is double glazed and centrally heated, with underfloor heating to the ground floor. There are also inset ceiling spotlights to the majority of the rooms and a surround-sound system which again serves most rooms.

The plot is screened from Tuddenham Road by a high brick-rendered wall and the property is gated by a retractable electronic gate.

From: Fenn Wright Contact: : 01472 232700

For the latest on the property market

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‘Woodlands’, Warfield, Berkshire £2m Set within a huge plot of 6.4 acres, this versatile and unique six-bedroom detached property is accessed by electric gates – so privacy and security are well taken care of.

The property has a large parking area and various outbuildings including a log cabin that overlooks a private pond, two stables and a large barn warehouse. Included within the main residence is a games room, gym, and an indoor swimming pool complex.

The property is also offered with no onward chain complications.

Warfield is just outside Bracknell, so there’s easy access to everyday

shops and amenities. The M4 and other Thames Valley routes are very accessible and for the daily commute (or weekend treat), there are frequent rail services from Bracknell itself or Martins Heron station.

From: Romans Contact: 01344 400100

‘Saddle Stones’, St George’s Hill, Surrey • £9.5m Longdon Wood, Keston, London Borough of Bromley £3.15m This substantial six-bedroom house, which provides accommodation of approximately 8,300 sq ft, has an excellent specification that includes a Creston home automation system, underfloor heating and a bespoke entrance hall with oak staircase.

For those with security in mind, there are 10 remotely monitored CCTV security cameras around the property.

The landscaped gardens feature a heated and filtered swimming pool, log cabin entertainment pavilion and terraced areas, ideal for

entertaining. It certainly has all the hallmarks of a party house.

There are grounds of approximately three-quarters of an acre and there is planning consent to construct an extensive brick-built extension to enclose the pool area.

The accommodation on the ground floor comprises a bespoke Stoneham kitchen/breakfast room with adjoining utility room, drawing room, study, family room and dining room. The master bedroom, on the first floor, has an en suite bathroom and dressing area.

A roof garden is also accessible from the master bedroom and second bedroom. There are four further en suite bedrooms. Also on the second floor are a substantial cinema and games room, and a further bathroom.

From: Alan de Maid Contact: 01689 813333

St George’s Hill is renowned as one of the best private estates in the UK, if not the world, and is based around a world-class 18-hole golf course. Its leafy streets are lined with some beautiful homes, the property of oligarchs, celebrities and sports stars.

This elegant, seven-bedroom villa sits hidden behind a pair of secure, ornamental iron entry gates on Old Avenue, one of the best roads on the estate. Constructed in mellow stock bricks with stylish stone dressings and arranged over three floors, Saddle Stones has a plot of an acre which features, between the terrace and the lawn, a heated swimming pool with feature fountains.

There’s also a gazebo and

summerhouse, and the master bedroom has its own large terrace from which to peruse the secluded garden.

Inside, the lavish accommodation (interior designed by the acclaimed NR Group) includes an impressive bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, six bedroom suites, a cinema room, a lift accessing all three floors, and an integral triple garage with car turntable. There is, of course, staff accommodation too.

Saddle Stones can be viewed by appointment seven days a week and is open at weekends from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

From: Octagon Contact: 020 8481 7500

More news and interviews at whathouse.com/news

advertorial 9

Weston Homes announce 60% of phase one sold at Preston Hall

L

eading Home Counties housebuilder, Weston Homes has announced that 60% of the first phase of apartments at Preston Hall have sold to a range of buyers including first time buyers, couples and professionals looking to own a home at the prestigious development.

Weston Homes has received over 400 enquiries from those interested in owning a piece of history, many of which are from London, the home counties and the local area.

Bob Weston, CEO of Weston Homes commented “Preston Hall is one of a kind and we are not surprised at the overwhelming level of interest received for the scheme since its launch in February. The majority of purchasers have been from London and its surrounding areas but we did have one couple who flew in especially from America to be first in line to purchase an apartment in the opening weekend.“ The successful launch event, which took place in February 2015, saw the arrival of over 200 attendees to see the newly restored entrance hall and two bedroom show apartment, which opened with a glittering firework display.

Situated in Aylesford, Kent, Preston Hall comprises of 36 luxurious one, two, three and four bedroom

residences, which consists of the restoration of a historic 53,686 sq ft Grade II listed mansion into a new residential address.

Each of 36 residences have individual marketing names, unique layouts and features and include apartments, mews houses and villas.

They range up to 2,255 sq ft in size, some with mezzanine levels open to spectacular double height living areas.

Weston Homes have skillfully combined period details including wall paneling, fireplaces, ceiling coving and moldings with state-of-the-art specification including designer fully fitted Oakwood kitchens with quartz stone tops and Fascino sink and instant boiling water tap. Spacious stone paneled bathroom suites and generous living rooms and luxurious bedrooms result in new homes that combine history with all the facilities required for modern living.

Located off London Road (A20) and dating back to 1102, Preston Hall was for over 400 years the country residence of the Culpeper family, relatives of the Dukes of Norfolk, whose descendants included Joyce Culpeper (mother of Queen Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII); Catherine Howard and Sir Thomas Culpeper, courtier to Henry VIII and

Preston Hall in 1904

Catherine’s secret lover, a liaison for which they were both executed.

In 1848 Preston Hall was purchased

by Edward Ladd Betts, a railroad baron, who sold Preston Hall in 1867 to rival railway baron Thomas Brassey. In 1914 the final family to own Preston Hall, the Sauber family, gifted the hall to the Red Cross, enabling it to serve as a hospital during WWI. In 1925 Preston Hall became a hospital for the Royal British Legion and finally between 1945 to 2012 it served as headquarters for the local health authority.

Prices at Preston Hall start from £340,000 for the final remaining apartments in phase one. The second phase of homes is set to launch in Summer 2015.

For further information, please visit the Sales and Marketing suite which is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Alternatively please contact Weston Homes on 01279 873 300 or visit www.weston-homes.com

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A day in the life of a London estate agent Zoe Matheson, office manager of Wooster & Stock in Sydenham, tells us about her working day as a London estate agent

W

rking in south o London is absolutely brilliant and it’s rare to be an estate agent in such a thriving and diverse area.

Sydenham and Forest Hill are leafy, attractive areas and I’m often working with families who are flocking here for the fantastic schools, many of which have ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings.

It’s easy to relate to what buyers are looking for, having moved to the area for exactly the same reason 14 years ago.

After waving goodbye to my husband who works in the city, I head off from our home in Forest Hill (while refereeing a squabble between my two children in the back seat) and reach The Horniman Primary School to drop them off before driving on to the sanity of my Sydenham office.

Before I can catch up with buyers and vendors, I’m in contact with solicitors, mortgage brokers and lenders to get an update on the progress of my current running sales, making sure things go as smoothly as

possible. I can then report back to our clients and offer feedback and advice. I always endeavour to maintain a strong rapport with all of my clients, so they are kept in the know of what we are doing to help them sell their house.

Plus, it’s a good excuse for a natter!

Having discussed some feedback from a keen buyer I call one of our vendors, who has a property on the market in Sydenham Hill. The viewer was impressed with the expansive views towards the Kent countryside – another example of why families love the area, and we believe it is one of the best views in London!

I then make a quick dash to Fig & Pistachio for one of their amazing freshly made baguettes and get tempted by a cake for my afternoon coffee, before heading over towards Crystal Palace. I have the pleasure of catching up with a vendor who bought on Westwood Hill through Wooster & Stock a few years ago. It’s a real treat being able to revisit the gorgeous Edwardian and Victorian houses to see how the properties change over the years.

COMING SOON

We south Londoners have a keen eye for style, and I never fail to be amazed by the ingenious way people decorate their homes. Some have magnificent modern extensions with huge doors opening on to impressive gardens (another reason why young families are rushing to the area). It’s no wonder I have so many phone calls from potential buyers!

An area known for its glorious parks, Sydenham and Forest Hill are also currently filling out with delis, grocers, artisan coffee shops and bakeries. It’s great to see how far the area has come having been a ‘local’ for so many years myself.

At the end of the day I head back to the office to tidy up some loose ends before heading to a couple of evening viewings. Afterwards, a well-deserved glass of wine is in order and I steal myself to 161 Kirkdale, a local bar in Sydenham. A small glass later and its back home to the family!

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In the spotlight: Bexley

15

NEW HOMES

With Crossrail coming soon and a huge regeneration project on the horizon, things are on the up for this southeast London borough WHERE IS IT? The London Borough of Bexley is located in southeast London, sharing borders with Bromley to the south, Greenwich to the west, Havering to the north and Dartford in Kent to the east.

WHO LIVES THERE? According to the 2011 census, 232,000 people live in the borough. The gender split is 52% female to 48% male, and 77% of residents describe themselves as White British.

TRANSPORT Bexley station offers services to London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street. With a new Crossrail station to open at Abbey Wood in late 2018, transport times in to central London will be significantly reduced to just 25 minutes, with up to 12 extra trains an hour linking Abbey Wood with the city. House prices are already on the up in Abbey Wood, with a twobedroom flat costing £248,000 and a three-bedroom house at £326,000.

WHAT IS THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE LIKE? The borough is divided in to 21 wards, with each ward represented by three elected councillors. In the most recent council elections, the Conservatives secured 45 seats, the Labour Party 15 seats, and UKIP three seats. In the 2015 general election, the Bexleyheath & Crayford and Old Bexley & Sidcup seats were secured by the Conservative party, while Labour won the Erith & Thamesmead seat.

WHAT DO HOUSES COST? Recent research showed that aside from Barking and Dagenham, Bexley is the only London borough where the average home costs less than £300,000 (£289,750).

Despite its comparatively cheap prices, Bexley is London’s seventh fastest growing borough and has experienced annual price increases of 14.1%. If you want to purchase a property here, you need to move very quickly. Data for May and June show that 75% of homes marketed in the borough found a buyer, the highest level in England, Wales and Scotland.

DID YOU KNOW? In February, London mayor Boris Johnson announced nine new housing zones in London, designed to speed up the supply of new housing in the capital. Bexley’s bid for an initial 1,300 new homes at South Thamesmead and Abbey Wood was included in the list.

With an £80m financial package on offer for the new housing zones in Greenwich and Bexley, the governing councils and the housing association Peabody hopes to launch up to 3,000 new homes over the next 10 years.

ARE THERE ANY REGENERATION PROJECTS UNDERWAY? Crayford Regeneration of the former town hall and library site in Crayford is already

providing a boost to its town centre, with phase one of the works now complete. In addition to an attractive new town square, library and meeting place, the scheme includes 188 new homes.

The former Samas Roneo site on Maiden Lane has also been regenerated, with Barratt Homes creating Vickers Green, a collection of 200 new properties across a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and one- and two- bedroom flats.

Tower Hill by Barratt Homes Belvedere, Bexley Tower Hill in Belvedere is a brand new Barratt Homes development offering an impressive mix of houses and apartments for a range of different lifestyles.

Barratt sales and marketing director Pam Reardon said the development is proving particularly popular with commuters, offering easy access to London and nearby towns whether by rail or road.

“With its convenient position – near to shops, restaurants,

entertainment and all other local amenities – it’s no surprise this development has already been causing a buzz among would-be residents and investors,” said Reardon.

The first release of homes has now sold out, with potential buyers being invited to register online for the next phase due for release.

Find out more at www.barratthomes.co.uk/towerhill; 08444 700 556

Erith Park The Erith Park redevelopment by Orbit Housing Association will include a mix of houses and apartments for rent and private sale. The show apartment at this development is now open and private sale and shared ownership options have been released for one- and twobedroom apartments. Under the shared ownership scheme, buyers can purchase a 35% share of a twobedroom apartment from £63,000.

Southmere Village The regeneration of Southmere Village by Peabody will result in the construction of over 500 new homes for sale and rent, and new community facilities including shops, a library and a health centre.

An outline planning application for the Bexley and Greenwich’s housing zones will be complete by the end of the year, with a total of 1,900 new homes in the pipeline on sites in the two boroughs.

Ratio by Redrow Erith, Bexley Located on the eastern fringes of Erith, new Redrow homes at Ratio Slade Green are ideally located for commuting to the City. Current availability at the popular development includes four-bedroom homes from the Regent Collection, priced from £334,995.

Influenced by the timeless grandeur of Georgian architecture, the designs are modelled on the classic merchant townhouses of days gone by, with solid

yet intricate detailing that leaves a lasting impression.

Step inside and they’re thoroughly modern with a high specification as standard. Kitchens are well equipped with integrated top brand-name appliances, while bathrooms and en suites enjoy quality fixtures and fittings.

Find out more at www.redrow.co.uk/ratio; 01322586261

16 london

For the latest on the property market

New homes round-up – the pick of today’s new build property in London

W

h ile the frenzy of house price rises of early 2014 have thankfully cooled since, property is still in big demand across the capital. Prime central London may be out of reach of many of us, but looking out to travel zones two to six can still make homeownership relatively affordable to those who want or need to live in the capital.

The property market slowed considerably in the run-up to the general election, with buyers and sellers awaiting the outcome before taking the plunge. A decisive result, with a majority government, soon settled a nervous market and the subsequent weeks have seen increased activity.

Richard Donnell, director of research for Hometrack, says: “House prices have picked up momentum post-election.

An increasing proportion of households are feeling

the benefits of the improving economy, which means that house price growth is set to continue in the coming months.

“Cities are making gains at different rates of growth, but the cities with the biggest increases all have something in common: strong local economies. Affordability pressures will bite at some point in the high-value, high-growth markets. The double-digit price growth registered in cities such as London, Oxford and Cambridge is being sustained by a lack of supply and below average transaction volumes, with a third of sales funded by cash or buy-to-let mortgages.

“London has the highest priceto-earnings ratio, but it covers a wide range of sub-markets. Over the last three years, the impetus for house price growth has shifted from prime markets to the more affordable markets in outer London and the commuter belt.”

Here are just a few of the many new homes developments springing up around Greater London

Maple House at North West Village in Wembley Park (Quintain) The Opus Collection in Chiswick (Lendlease) Agent Jackson-Stops & Staff has just launched The Opus Collection, a collection of new homes directly overlooking Turnham Green, offering high-quality one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments, townhouses and penthouses from renowned developer Lendlease.

These new homes are located on the Chiswick High Road, within easy walking distance of Chiswick Park Station and facing the popular open space of Turnham Green.

It’s an area that is well known for

its excellent shopping and dining destinations.

Many of the apartments enjoy spectacular views across London, over the river and beyond. With terraces or balconies, communal and private rooftop gardens, there’s an opportunity to enjoy tranquil time and yet be within easy reach of every amenity of the local area and central London.

Price: From £525,000 Find out more at www.jackson-stops.co.uk; 020 7664 6649

Emerald Gardens is the current phase of North West Village and offers 427 private apartments in seven buildings. This transformation of Wembley Park is maximising the use of green space, with an acre of park in the heart of this development.

Maple House is one of the stunning apartment buildings within Emerald Gardens, ranging across six storeys, and has a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available. The majority of the Maple House apartments have their own private balcony or terrace.

Ideal for first time buyers, Emerald Gardens offers the perfect location, being situated in zone 4 with easy access to Central London on the Jubilee line as well as boasting a wide range of amenities in close proximity, including restaurants, coffee shops and the stylish London Designer Outlet. Epitomising the dynamism of London today, its mix of vision, energy and great individuality combines to create a vibrant new community.

Price: From £366,000 Find out at www.northwestvillage.com; 020 3151 8601

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Blake Tower in the City of London (Redrow London) New homes in the City of London are very rare, but the conversion of Grade II listed Blake Tower from a YMCA hostel to 74 luxury apartments provides buyers with a chance to secure a state-of-the-art property in a character building on the iconic Barbican Estate.

Blake Tower rises to 17 storeys and will be converted to provide a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and studios. Apartments range in size from 450 sq ft to over 2,000 sq ft and provide far-reaching views of London’s iconic skyline.

The 1960s building will retain its protected Brutalist exterior while, inside, its purpose-built hostel layout will be changed to provide layouts for high-quality private accommodation. Harper Downie architects is refurbishing the tower and the interiors have been conceived by architecture and interior design studio Conran and Partners.

Price: From £650,000 Find out at www.blaketower.com; 020 3538 3719

Harrow

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Kew Bridge West in Brentford (St James)

There are just a few remaining units for sale in the current phase, some two-bedroom apartments in the highly sought-after Hyperion Tower, the landmark 15-storey building located in the centre of the development’s landscaped courtyard.

All apartments have a southerly aspect, allowing maximum sunlight to be appreciated from the spacious private balcony. They average 920 sq ft of accommodation, considerably larger than other new two-bedroom apartments currently available in the area.

There is a dedicated on-site concierge service helps to ensure daily life runs smoothly.

Transport links are excellent, with rail services from nearby Brentford and Kew Bridge stations providing the option of arriving at Victoria and Waterloo, and it’s half-an-hour by car into central London and 15 minutes to Heathrow Airport.

Price: From £685,000 Find out more at http://whathou.se/ GZEI7e; 020 3151 7845

london

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17

The Exchange in Leyton (Bellway) Lewisham Gateway in Lewisham (Muse Developments)

Parkside Place in Hammersmith (Linden Homes) location, the objective was to create a cosmopolitan feel of understated luxury. The thought process was that the apartment would be owned by a professional couple working in the city. We wanted it to be smart, understated and elegant.”

This development is in the Ravenscourt and Starch Green Conservation Area and directly opposite Ravenscourt Park.

Price: From £500,000

Just ten minutes’ walk from Goldhawk Road tube station (with Shepherd’s Bush a little further on) is this collection of highspecification one-, two- and threebedroom apartments, plus duplexes and a one-off two-bedroom mews house.

There’s a show home fitted out

by Andrew Henry Interiors, which the designer hopes will capture the spirit of interested house-hunters in the area.

Henry says “Because of the

Find out more at www.lindenhomes.co.uk; 0844 644 2523

The £210m development Lewisham Gateway scheme, located right next to the station in Lewisham, is set to deliver more than 700 new mixedtenure homes, a new riverside park and hundreds of new jobs.

The first collection of properties to go on sale is in two new residential blocks, delivering 193 homes, including the 25-storey Portrait London. Marketed by JLL, Portrait will comprise suites (studios) alongside one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments built to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 for energy efficiency and sustainability. Completion of these first new homes is expected in Summer 2016.

Michael Auger, regional director for Muse Developments, says: “Lewisham Gateway is a groundbreaking development – it’s not only a major feat for Muse Developments and our partners but shows a huge vote of confidence in Lewisham as a place to invest, live and enjoy.”

Price: From £385,000 Find out more at www.portrait-london. co.uk; 020 7993 7395

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Residents at The Exchange benefit from excellent transport links: Leyton Midland Road overground station is adjacent to the development, and offers direct journeys to Barking in 12 minutes and Gospel Oak via Tottenham in 22 minutes. Nearby Leyton station on the London Underground offers central line services to the City in just 12 minutes, and there are several local bus routes operate taking residents to the surrounding area.

Price: From £389,995 Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk; 01689 886400

Vision in Colindale (Genesis) There’s a lot of building going on in Colindale right now, including this scheme of one-, two- and threebedroom homes. Genesis has already completed 787 mixed-tenure homes at Grahame Park, with Vision set to add to that total, set within new public spaces and complemented by new shops and community amenities, including a library.

The homes are finished to a high standard: contemporary kitchens feature granite worktops and integrated appliances, including

a dishwasher, fridge-freezer and washer/dryer.

Vision is situated less than a mile from Colindale underground station, on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line. Edgware is seven minutes away by tube, Hendon Central two minutes, Brent Cross five minutes and Leicester Square just 30 minutes.

Price: From £235,000 Find out more at www.genesishahomes. org.uk; 0800 954 0196

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Though there are only two threebedroom apartments and one fourbedroom family home remaining for sale at this development in east London, all are available with the government-backed Help to Buy scheme.

The apartments feature an openplan kitchen/living/dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to the private balcony. The kitchens have fitted, high-gloss units and an array of integrated appliances.

The master bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and an en suite shower room. All of the properties benefit from allocated parking.

Lewisham

Merton Bromley Sutton

Croydon

Greenwich Square in Greenwich (Hadley Mace) Just launched is the latest phase of luxury four-bedroom townhouses at landmark regeneration scheme Greenwich Square, which has transformed the former Queen Elizabeth Hospital site.

The royal borough is a magnet for families, with over 50% of households of this type, so demand for larger homes is particularly strong. These new townhouses, combining traditional London terracing with contemporary design, are set out over three floors, spanning 1,350 sq ft and each

providing a 20ft private rear garden.

In addition to a range of new homes, Greenwich Square will provide a range of new on-site facilities. The Greenwich Centre is due to open this summer, comprising two swimming pools, a brand new gym, a library, crèche and medical practice.

A new public square will also be created with landscaped green space, surrounded by cafés, restaurants and retail space.

Price: From £799,950 Find out more at www.greenwichsquarelondon.com; 0800 077 8177

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surrey 19

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Rural living

Rose Cottage, Haslemere • £1m Rose Cottage is an enchanting 550-year old Grade II listed cottage nestled within the picturesque Surrey countryside.

Buyers here can enjoy beautiful gardens, a wealth of period features and a great location just half a mile from Haslemere station.

Two watercolour artists, Helen Allingham and Herbert George, have painted the property, and a work by the Allingham is hung on the wall in the sitting room, after being purchased at auction in 1976.

Our favourite countryside properties in Surrey

T

his month, we take a look at three of the best rural homes currently on the market in Surrey, with Keats in Haslemere.

Find out more by calling Keats in Haslemere on 01428 661622

By-The-Wey, Camelsdale • £650.000 By-The-Wey is a pretty fourbedroom family house with lovely gardens, in the ever-popular Camelsdale Village.

This home blends character and contemporary features to offer stylish open-plan living.

The spacious accommodation has been extended on the ground floor, and among the impressive features here you will find vaulted ceilings and a gas-fired Aga. The gardens are the jewel of the property, providing the perfect location to entertain guests in the summer.

This home is located around one mile from Haslemere station, and within a short walk of the local primary school.

Poppy House, Haslemere • £650,000 Poppy House was built just five years ago by a well-known local developer, and boasts the remainder of its original 10-year NHBC guarantee.

This property is ideal for a modern family interested in an eco-friendly property, having been designed to incorporate as many green features as possible, including air source heat pumps, zone-controlled underfloor heating and timber sourced from sustainable forests.

This four-bedroom home is one of a pair and is approached by a shared driveway.

Knowledge with the personal touch

Specialists in new homes sales, lettings, management

020 3589 0250

hello@wigmorejones.com

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WE CAN GET YOU MOVING Mastermove helps you buy at Kingston Riverside while we take the hard work out of selling your existing property, by arranging valuations, appointing an estate agent, taking care of all the paperwork and even paying the agents’ fees.

Mastermove helps you move into your brand new Redrow home in three simple steps: Step 1 - Choose your Redrow home at Kingston Riverside and register on Mastermove.

Step 2 - We’ll appoint an estate agent to market your property.

Step 3 - When a sale is agreed, Redrow will pay the agent’s fees leaving you free to reserve your new Redrow luxury apartment.

Call now to find out how simple your move could be.

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surrey 21

@What_House

A house in the country?

T With rural property prices surging, a new homes scheme in Ash looks even more appealing, says Tilly Rubens h e latest research from a major property portal shows property prices in the countryside are almost neck and neck with price rises in the city. Over the last year, the research revealed that property within rural areas of the South East has seen an annual growth of 6%, compared to 5.7% in the cities.

If you are thinking in investing in the country, The Croft, in the rural village of Ash in Surrey, could be just what you are looking for. Developer Bellway is offering a range of stylish three-, four- and five-bedroom properties in the peaceful village, which could be an ideal opportunity, either for growing families looking for more space or prospective purchasers looking to invest in the countryside.

Nick Morton, sales director for Bellway Homes South East says: “Our selection of homes at The Croft offers a fantastic choice for homebuyers looking to make a great return on their home. With the recent research revealing that homes in the country are seeing dramatic price rises, we urge prospective purchasers to act fast and register their interest before it’s too late.”

Situated in a quiet leafy location, the homes are designed to a high specification, with fully fitted kitchens complete with modern AEG appliances, an electric double oven, gas hob and integrated fridge freezer.

On the first floor, there are generoussized bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and an en suite in the master bedroom.

The other bedrooms share a stylish, contemporary family bathroom, complete with white Roca sanitaryware and chrome-plated fittings.

Ash is conveniently situated for commuters, with Ash train station located just a short walk away. Direct services into Guildford take about 10 minutes and Reading 30 minutes, with London less than an hour away via Guildford.

The Croft also benefits from convenient road connections with access to the A3, M3 and M25, providing links into London, Reading and the south coast. Heathrow is about a 90-minute drive from the new development.

Education-wise, there is a good selection of state and private schools in the area, ranging from nursery to senior level. State schools include

Ash Green Primary School and Ash Manor Secondary School, which are both within walking distance of the development. For parents looking for private schooling, Rydes Hill

VIRIDIUM Camberley, Surrey Luxury collection of 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments.

Preparatory School, Barfield School and Farnborough Hill for Girls are all within driving distance. For older siblings, Godalming College and the University of Surrey in Guildford are

both within easy reach.

Prices at The Croft start from £439,995 for a three-bedroom house.

Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk; 0845 548 3033

JUST 5% DEPOSIT* Prices from £285,000

• Award winning development 2015 FTB awards • Gated entrance with parking • Stunning spacious apartments with Balcony or terrace

To book an appointment call: 01276 66693

• Carpets included • Luxury fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms • Help to Buy available *Available with Help to Buy subject to terms and conditions

HODSON

DE VELOPMENTS

22 interiors

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Glamping glamour

Relax in style with Laura Ashley’s Lollipops folding chair; £35, www.lauraashley.com

How cool is this salad container with its own neatly zipped jacket, which will insulate your salad for up to four hours; BUILT New York Salad Bowl Lush Flower, £14.99, www.creative-tops.com

The standards being set by festival-goers in terms of style and comfort are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Richenda Oldham reviews what’s cool in glamping

The design of this bell tent was first used by the military in the 19th century.

Perfect for a table top decoration, this summer meadow mat is an amusing These stunning melamine tumblers feature different eyeIt’s not hard to see why they are still popular today, being quick and easy to put catching exotic bird designs, but are well able to withstand addition to any lunch party. It measures 25cm square and costs just £10; up/take down; coral red bell tent, £459, www.boutiquecamping.com www.tch.net the rigours of festival life, being tough and dishwasher safe; £7.50 each, www.oakroomshop.co.uk

FOR A COMPLIMENTARY BROCHURE OR A DESIGN CONSULTATION CALL 0800 328 0033

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interiors 23

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Pretty floral fabrics and pastel coloured china have been combined here with distressed painted wooden furniture for an informal but utterly charming look; www.directblinds.co.uk

This white distressed mirror would make a marvellous centrepiece in a shabby chic interior; £95, www. livelaughlove.co.uk

Pretty vintage cups and saucers have been used as tea light holders in this appealing teatime table setting; striped tablecloth, £40, www. ochreandocre.com

Soft ivory and biscuit hues form part of the shabby chic palette and are used here with faded florals to create an alluring, romantic bedroom, that is both simple yet charismatic; www.houseoffraser.co.uk

With its subtle leopard print rug, antlers and painted bureau, this room has a touch of the colonial about it; www.kelaty.com

Reeling in the years Aged but not old sums up the increasingly popular interior style of ‘shabby chic’.

Richenda Oldham shows how to achieve the look

S

habby chic is a style that we Brits are extremely good at. The faded florals, dusty velvets and peeling paintwork that epitomise this look are things that we seem to have an affinity for.

Getting shabby chic right, when it has to appear effortless, is not as easy as you might think. After all this is not about antiques, it’s about interiors and accessories that look old or worn yet with a touch of informal elegance.

Faded pretty country florals, rustic charm and an appreciation of imperfections (as long as they have style) add to the attractiveness of this flea market vogue.

COMFORT Big sloppy armchairs and sofas in distressed leather or chintzy washable slipcovers are just the ticket to flop out in after a hard day’s work. The key here is informality and comfort, where the odd dog hair or feet on the sofa will not cause undue alarm.

COLOUR

FURNITURE

The colours associated with shabby chic are deliciously soft hues such as mint, aqua, dusty rose, biscuit, sand, ivory, cream, pistachio, sky blues and pale greys. These can be offset by crisp white, which accentuates them beautifully. Mix and match these colours as they all complement each other superbly. Silver is a wonderful shade that can be used to add sparkle, particularly in accessories, from photograph frames to ornaments.

While precious antiques are not part of shabby chic, good design, form and style are definitely important. So attractively shaped vintage furniture discoveries, with distressed paint finishes, fit the bill perfectly. It is pre-loved individuality that you are seeking rather than conformity. The great thing about shabby chic style is that it is ideal for anyone on a tight budget. So a plain piece of furniture can be

transformed with a peeling paint effect or colour washes.

ACCESSORIES Smell, believe it or not, has a role to play in shabby chic, so flower arrangements are ideal, as are scented candles – choose ones with notes of rose, lavender and amber. Put the flowers in your best vase and let the aromas of the candles fill your home and contribute to making it a warm and welcoming place.

24 interiors 1

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Read all about it Libraries evoke a feeling of nostalgia and are calm, cosy rooms to tuck up with a good book.

Even the smallest of spaces can be transformed with the right approach, says Richenda Oldham

A

g ood library is much more than just a repository for a bunch of books: it’s an oasis of calm and a refuge from the frenetic pace of modern life.

As such, it could even be viewed as a necessity.

On a practical level, if a dedicated library feels too much of a luxury, then a combined office/library, where technology mixes with a traditional approach, is a sensible compromise.

When setting out to create a library room in your home, first decide where it is going to be located and how much space can be allocated. Obviously a room with doors is ideal, but a quiet corner in a living room will also work well. Just make sure you avoid areas of high traffic.

2

SHELVES Because books obviously feature highly in a library scheme, you need to

decide how many shelves you actually need. You might also find that a combination of shelves and cupboards is more practical - so that items such as games or toys can be hidden away.

Vary the space between the shelves so you can accommodate large as well as small books. If the room you have chosen is small, consider floorto-ceiling shelves, which also give the illusion of height and maximise space, particularly above doorways.

COLOURS Traditionally the colours associated with libraries are dark, rich shades, such as green, brown and burgundy, but there is no reason why lighter colours can’t be used. After all, this is a room for relaxation, so it is important that you choose colours that you are comfortable with.

FURNITURE Your library will need furniture in it.

What you choose will depend on how much room you have. Large armchairs or sofas are perfect for chilling out in with a good book - leather finishes are practical and very much part of the look. You could also include a low-level coffee table in the centre.

However, if you are planning to work in your library, you will need a goodsized desk and a supportive chair.

Don’t forget to have decent quality lighting - standard lamps, ceiling lights or wall lights - that provide adequate illumination for reading.

WALLPAPER OR PAINT? This is an entirely personal choice, but libraries do lend themselves to wallpaper. There are some amazing trompe l’oeil book effect wallpapers currently available. So if you don’t want actual wall-to-wall bookshelves, these will give you the look without having to use real books.

4 1 The Penguin paperback is an iconic design, featuring striking colours and a distinct typography that evokes the 1930s. Now it has been reproduced in a clever wallpaper collage, using the front covers of original Penguin books; Tapete Penguin Library wallpaper, £77.07 per 52cm x 10m roll, www.5qm.de 2 This rather spiffing bowler hat is actually an ingenious lamp by Jake Phipps. It’s handmade from wool felt and is reinforced with a metallic gold finish, which casts a warm glow when it is switched on; Jeeves Bowler Hat Wall Lamp, £185, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

3

5

3 As libraries are supposed to be seats of learning, a globe or two would certainly not go amiss. These vintage style globes come in sepia or ivory finishes and will demonstrate a geographical affinity; £39.50, www.withinhome.com 4 Leather armchairs are de rigeur furniture if you are seriously looking to create a library look. Deluxe vintage leather wing chair, £1,495, www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk 5 You can’t beat a solid wood partner desk: it’s a classic design that is synonymous with libraries, offices or studies. The idea behind it was that two business partners could sit opposite each other; Versailles partner desk in solid mahogany wood, £620 (£496 currently on sale on the website), www.islandfurnitureco.com

Shore thing Why homebuyers, investors and downsizers are flocking to Britain’s coast

Special feature supplement

P

r operties within 100 metres of the sea are worth 12.4% more on average than those one kilometre away, proving that our coast remains as popular as ever with buyers.

With the Coastal Communities Fund to be extended by the government until 2020/21, providing at least a further £90m to unlock the potential of coastal areas, revitalise communities and create jobs, this popularity is sure to become even more widespread.

COASTAL PREMIUMS According to research by Savills, the coastal premium is highest in England at 18.7%, compared to 16.6% in Wales and just 1.2% in Scotland, where the coastline is vast and complex.

In England, the highest coastal premiums occur in the north. The North East (41.3%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (36.1%) carry the highest premiums, although overall prices are highest in the South West (£283,864) and the South East (£266,610).

At county level, Merseyside holds the highest coastal premium, with properties near the sea selling for £375,000, 86.5% higher than those inland. The most expensive coastline is in Dorset, with an average sale price of £393,000 and a premium of 46.1%.

Sophie Chick of Savills research says: “In our survey of people looking to move home last year, we found that the view from a property is the most valued attribute that buyers are looking for, and for many, a sea view is as good as it gets. That means living by the sea comes at a cost, with a clear price premium for proximity to the coast.”

“Counties such as Devon often hold a wider coastal premium than our 100-metre cut off, which dilutes the difference paid for proximity to the coast. On the other hand, counties with remote coastal locations such as Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray) have lower premiums, as isolated areas drive down property prices.”

SOUTH WEST COAST RETAINS ‘BLUE CHIP’ HOLIDAY LOCATIONS St Mawes, Dartmouth, Kingswear and Devon remain consistently popular with buyers. While traditional investors flock to these locations to buy and let out holiday properties, they are also popular with expats who want to keep a foothold in the UK market.

Investments are particularly safe in locations that are seeing no lateral development, such as St Mawes, meaning planning is restricted and towns retain an exclusive feel.

That doesn’t mean that there is a lack of new build homes in some of our most popular coastal locations, however. Edward Clarkson, partner at The Buying Solution (West Country), says: “The new build market is strong on the coast, as buyers are keen to snap up holiday homes, but a trend is becoming apparent whereby buyers are not keen

to do extra renovation work on these properties but want a contemporary, ready-to-move-in home” “A lot of houses will be valued according to the view: the better the sea view, the more money it will cost you. When buying a coastal property, inevitably the buyers want a sea view. Having said this, while a lot of clients request sea views, we get more requests for the estuary and sea view as there is more interesting activity to watch, such as boats going up and down to the sea.”

There is also the suggestion that in-demand coastal locations such as Cornwall have had their popularity boosted by their regular presence on TV screens and in the media.

Nicola Markham, joint managing director of Acorn Blue in Devon and Cornwall, notes that buyers in these areas come from all kinds of backgrounds and for all kinds of reasons. She says: “Buyers are coming here for everything from the landscape through to the food, with new restaurants launching, good weather and great transport connections. We’re seeing a mixture of buyers – generally apartments are bought as second homes and by investors, while houses tend to be second homes for families. Some buyers are downsizers retiring to the county, and properties with uninterrupted sea views are most in demand.”

In terms of up-and-coming coastal destinations for homebuyers and investors, she says: “Newquay is still a popular family holiday destination and is losing its stag night reputation, with new restaurants such as Rick Stein’s recently opening on Fistral Beach.”

LONDON BUYERS SEEKING OUT A HOME ON THE COAST As average house prices continue to increase, there has been a surge in buyers cashing in their prime London investments for properties by the coast. With the growth of the internet, more people have greater flexibility through working remotely either fulltime or part-time, and therefore don’t need to commute into the city five days a week.

This demand has been reflected by properties in up-and-coming areas such as Southbourne seeing demand increase by 25-30% in the space of the last 12 months, and one property recently sold by Capital & Coastal selling for 30% more than a larger property in the same road achieved 18 months earlier.

Michael Riley, managing director of Capital & Coastal, says: “Buyers moving from a two-bedroom apartment in Peckham, for example, are finding they can suddenly afford a four-bedroom detached house with a garden near the coast, and what’s more, their work and lifestyle can be adapted to allow this. Others are taking advantage of increasingly competitive mortgage rates and releasing equity from their primary property to fund the purchase of a home by the sea.”

The Hyde Housing Group Making a lasting difference, Working with Local Authorities The Hyde Group is an award winning provider of The Hyde Group is an award winning provider of homes and makes a significant contribution to homes and makes a significant contribution to meeting housing needs and improving people’s meeting housing needs and improving people’s quality of life. quality of life.

Hyde is one of the largest housing associations working in England, Hyde is one of the largest housing associations working in England, owning or managing circa 50,000 homes with a focus on London, owning or managing circa 50,000 homes with a focus on London, Kent and the South Coast of England.

Kent and the South Coast of England.

Hyde built high quality new homes for 4,413 people in 2014/15. Of these, Hyde built high quality new homes for 4,413 people in 2014/15. Of these, 83% pay a subsidised price, with 3,643 people housed in a new Hyde 83% pay a subsidised price, with 3,643 people housed in a new Hyde affordable home. affordable home.

Hyde is acutely aware of the housing crisis in the UK. A continuing Hyde is acutely aware of the housing crisis in the UK. A continuing decline in levels of house building, combined with increased demand, decline in levels of house building, combined with increased demand, particularly within London and the south east of England, has increased particularly within London and the south east of England, has increased housing costs significantly and impacted on local economies. housing costs significantly and impacted on local economies.

Members of our team will be at MIPIM 2015 promoting New Members of our team will be at MIPIM 2015 promoting New Challenges; Challenges; New New Partnering Partnering Solutions our Local Authority Offer launched earlier this year.

Solutions our Local Authority Offer launched earlier this year.

CGI CGI of of proposed proposed Hyde Hyde HA HA Development Development in in Harrow, Harrow, London London

Hyde is committed to tackling the housing shortage and reducing some of these impacts by: • Developing 1,000 mixed tenure homes a year with a focus on increasing this further • Delivering quality management services across all tenures and uses • Maximising life chances for residents through Hyde Plus’ support service • Retaining a strong financial covenant and commitment to invest for the future

We believe that the answer to delivering more homes, particularly ones that are affordable or are available for low cost ownership, is to work collaboratively with local authorities. A partnership approach allows local authorities to match their assets with our experience of mixed tenure development and regeneration, to create housing and communities in the most cost-effective and sustainable way.

True partnerships can be achieved in a number of ways: • A joint venture model with sharing of risk and reward • Sharing the build programme: Hyde develops and sells the commercial elements of a mixed tenure scheme and the local authority develops and retains some or all of the affordable/social homes, to deliver an ongoing revenue • Hyde acts as the development and/or sales agent for the local authority • Traditional regeneration projects • Stock transfer opportunities

We have the financial capacity, A1 Moody’s credit rating and the highest validation from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Equally, our reputation for innovation and creativity in designing new solutions for delivering affordable homes means we are an ideal partner for local authorities.

We are committed to communities and places for the long term, supporting our developments with high quality, coordinated management services. These core objectives as a registered provider distinguish us from other market housing developers.

We are open to ideas, so let’s do more to work together, pooling resources, ideas and ambitions, to create homes for people that need them the most.

We look forward to working with you in the future. To arrange a meeting, please contact: Simon Vevers Development Director, Regeneration simon.vevers@hyde-housing.co.uk Tom Shaw Development Director, South Coast tom.shaw@hyde-housing.co.uk Mike Johnson Development Director, London and Kent mike.johnson2@hyde-housing.co.uk

28 coastal homes

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For the latest on the property market

Living on the edge England’s South Coast still leads the way when it comes to prime seaside property.

Whether you love a harbour, beach or clifftop location, there is something to suit everyone across this part of the country...

3. Carters Quay, Poole, Dorset (Inland Homes) From £314,950 Specialist housebuilder Inland Homes recently launched the latest phase of homes at this flagship development near the waterfront in Poole. The new three- and four-bedroom homes are located a short walk from both Hamworthy Park beach and the eclectic shops and leisure facilities of Poole Quay. Some homes include the

1. May Court, Bideford, Devon (Elan Homes) From £214,995

2. Chy An Carrack, St. Ives, Cornwall (Country & Waterside) £1.25m

This new development features a total of 11 spacious detached three- and four-bedroom homes with contemporary features. The four-bedroom house consists of a dining room, separate living room with French doors leading to garden, spacious kitchen/breakfast room (also with French doors) and handy cloakroom. Moving upstairs, there is an en suite master bedroom, with a further three bedrooms which share a family bathroom. Situated just off a quiet cul de sac, the development is within easy reach of the town centre, home to the historic Pannier Market. The beautiful beaches of the North Devon coast are just a short car ride away.

This period home has been completely refurbished, with unobstructed views over the beautiful St Ives Bay and Hayle Estuary. The accommodation, on the ground floor, comprises a lovely sitting room, Siematic kitchen/breakfast room, sun room, study and laundry, with four bedrooms, two of which are en suite, and a family bathroom on the first floor. The rear garden has been stepped into two terraces together with a patio seating area and offers a wide range of places to sit and enjoy the view. From there, the patio extends to the rear courtyard, which offers a sheltered and private area for relaxation and entertainment.

www.elan-homes.co.uk; 01237 424224

countryandwaterside.co.uk; 01872 240999

potential to extend into the lofts inexpensively, as they are fitted with electricity and window frames under the roof tiles – quite unusual for a new build home. The show apartment and show house are available to view seven days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm. www.inlandhomes.co.uk; 01202 048542

1 Bude

Newquay

P 3 Torquay

2

4. The Chocolate Box, Bournemouth, Dorset (Acorn South) From £130,000 These new apartments are set to be launched, offering a collection of studios, one- and two-bedroom homes with modern interiors and oversized windows, to maximise panoramic sea views. The homes are part of the regeneration project of Heron House in Christchurch Road. The distinctive 10-storey former office block is being transformed into 94 modern apartments with the first due to

be completed in the autumn. The apartments are conveniently situated close to the town centre and the coast. “Already the homes have been in demand from first-time buyers locally and investors looking to capitalise on the popularity and potential returns in Bournemouth,” says Stuart Callaghan, Acorn’s regional director. www.acornsouth.co.uk; 01637 876000

5. Azure, Rottingdean, East Sussex (Generator Developments) From £695,000 Azure is a collection of just nine luxury apartments – now almost completed – set in an exceptional coastal location in Rottingdean, just outside Brighton, with uninterrupted views of the sea from every property. The architecture is inspired by the elegant, simple lines of art deco design, but reworked in a contemporary style.

The interior layouts make the most of natural light, with sliding glazed doors from living areas leading out onto large private balconies.

The area has its own village feel but is within easy reach of the city amenities of Brighton. www.azurerottingdean.com; 01273 829300 (Mishon Mackay)

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coastal homes 29

6. One Shore Road, Sandbanks, Dorset (Savills) From £1.3m One Shore Road is a collection of seven new penthouse apartments with panoramic views across Poole Harbour.

The luxurious apartments have been designed by Munden Robinson Architects and provide three en suite bedrooms, an open-plan living room, a kitchen/breakfast area and a balcony/ terrace, with secure underground parking. Among the most eyecatching features are the bespokedesigned kitchens by Pedini of London. Four of the seven apartments enjoy 180-degree sea views while the remaining three have sea views from the majority of the rooms, with the other bedrooms opening out onto a private garden or with views across the Luscombe Valley Nature Reserve.

7. One Eight Zero, Havant, Hampshire (David Wilson Homes) £POA

8. The Waterfront, Worthing, West Sussex (Kier Living) From £296,995

Panoramic views over Langstone Harbour will be one of the benefits of this brand new development in Havant, east Hampshire.

There will be 46 four- and fivebedroom homes, which have been thoughtfully designed to take advantage of stunning views over the harbour. The properties feature bi-fold doors leading onto a raised terrace from the ground floor and

Nestled right on the beach at Worthing, The Waterfront is a collection of one- and twobedroom apartments alongside three-bedroom houses. The development also has an underground car park and landscaped gardens. The 64 apartments have been designed across three floors in the shape of a catamaran facing towards

bi-fold doors onto balconies on the first floor. The new development is in an excellent location with easy access to the South Downs National Park, ferry ports, international airports and the coast. It is also close to the New Forest and a number of popular market towns. www.dwh.co.uk; 0844 5710 385

the sea, representing the proud sailing heritage of the area. All the apartments have a private balcony or terrace and the majority boast a sea view. The development has just been named best residential development in the South East in the prestigious RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards 2015. www.kierliving.co.uk; 01903 240362

savills.co.uk; 01202 708888 10

Folkestone

Poole 3 4 9 6

7

Brighton 8 5

9. The Staithe, Mudeford, Dorset (John D Wood & Co.) £1.575m Mudeford fronts Christchurch Bay and this Grade II listed Georgian waterside home offers unbroken views across the water. The property has been comprehensively refurbished to a high standard in keeping with its impressive appearance. There’s a bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, dining room and family room

master bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and some of the two bedroom apartments also come with en suite shower room. All the apartments above ground floor have a balcony with some also enjoying sea views. There is allocated car parking and they will be ready for occupation from late summer 2015. www.burtonproperty.co.uk; 01202 682726

johndwood.co.uk; 01590 677233

Like many other properties in this town’s Conservation Area, the exterior of this property belies the interior. This is actually a four-bedroom property with three reception rooms. Behind the relatively narrow front stands a charming and surprisingly light and spacious period house, with many original features, including delightful fireplaces, honeycoloured pine panelling, stripped floors, sash windows and a delightful south- and west-facing walled garden. The house stands on the western side of Middle Street and is within a few minutes’ walk of the beach, shops, station and Saturday’s bustling market.

3. Quay West, Poole, Dorset (Burton Property) From £175,000 Quay West is a collection of 27 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and penthouses situated close to the high street, a short stroll from lively Poole Quay and less than 10 minutes’ walk to the station. The smart kitchens have fully integrated appliances and the individually designed bathrooms come with Porcelanosa tiling. The generous

and a sweeping staircase from the reception hall to four double bedrooms (of which two have en suite facilities) and a family bathroom on the first floor. Outside is a walled garden and paved courtyard garden, together with a terrace from which to enjoy the panoramic sea views.

10. Middle Street, Deal, Kent (Bright & Bright) £465,000

www.brightandbright.co.uk; 01304 374071

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coastal homes 31

Living the Dream

TIlly Rubens looks at what the revitalised town of Margate has to offer both in terms of attractions and properties for sale

M

a rgate, on the East Kent coast, has enjoyed something of a renaissance in the last few years, first with the opening of the state-ofthe-art Turner Contemporary gallery in 2011 and now, the re-opening of Dreamland Margate.

I’M GOING TO DREAMLAND, DREAMLAND...

DREAMLAND MARGATE The history of Dreamland Margate in many respects echoes the history of the regeneration of Margate. The original Dreamland was first opened for amusement rides in the 1880s, although the name was not used until 1920 when the park’s Grade II listed Scenic Railway wooden rollercoaster was first operated.

The amusement park enjoyed increasing popularity until, in 1981, it was sold to Benbom Brothers and the site renamed ‘Benbom Brothers White Knuckle Theme Park’. However , n the early noughties, the park started to go into decline and in 2003, the park owner announced Dreamland would

TYPES OF PROPERTY ON OFFER When the tourists stopped coming, many of Margate’s grandiose townhouses and hotels were carved up into tiny rental flats and bedsits, but this trend is now reversing.

The Georgian townhouses are increasingly being restored by private investors into single homes again.

Simon Backhouse, partner at Strutt and Parker in Canterbury, says: “Margate and the surrounding east Kent coast are definitely seeing resurgence at the moment. It can be a real eye-opener for people who

AN UNLIKELY PROPERTY HOTSPOT

A popular resort for over two centuries, Margate’s late 20th-century decline was long and bleak as more and more British holidaymakers deserted the down-at-heal seaside resort to holiday abroad. The town was blighted with

high unemployment rates, typical of many English seaside resorts, and had the unhelpful record of having the country’s highest proportion of shutup shops.

However, the resurrection of Dreamland is the latest in a series of developments that has helped transform and regenerate the town.

Margate has long had an artistic association, including its renown as the town where Tracey Emin was bought up. The opening of the Turner Contemporary in 2011 has encouraged a new generation of artists and other creative types to settle and set up studios, shops and art galleries in the seaside resort.

The old town is now thriving, with a wide range of galleries, vintage shops, restaurants and independent cafés, including the quirky Mad Hatter run by a top-hatted proprietor dressed as the figure from Alice in Wonderland.

Just over a mile along the sandy seafront in Cliftonville, the tiny Tom Thumb Theatre, with only 58 seats and a tiny stage, is thought to be the world’s smallest working theatre.

The town enjoys good transport links with regular High Speed links to Kings Cross taking 90 minutes.

haven’t been before. It is full of the most-lovely Georgian houses. Hawley Square is particularly beautiful, like a Georgian square that you’d find tucked away in east London.”

The town still enjoys prices considerably lower than those of similar-sized properties in London, although prices are certainly beginning to rise. On the seafront in Sea View Terrace, the Grade II listed Seascape House, which has been modernised

throughout, retaining its period features, is on sale with Strutt and Parker for £750,000 (01227 807817).

Strutt and Parker is also marketing 6 The Beach House from Harriss Property. Comprising 11 new build two-bedroom homes, there are panoramic views onto the sandy beach of Westbrook Bay from the private terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows. Prices range from £395,000 to £495,000 (01843 297301).

More modest prices can be seen with a spacious two-bedroom split-level flat on the Royal Esplanade with accommodation consisting of lounge, fitted kitchen, separate dining room and master en suite bedroom with a dressing room on the ground floor. On the lower level there is a further bedroom with dressing room, large bathroom and study area.

The accommodation is offered

be closed for good.

Despite widespread public protest against the closure and proposed redevelopment of the site, the park shut in 2005. It was then subject to a number of arson attacks, one of which seriously damaged the wooden rollercoaster ride in 2008. However, following a £10m refurbishment, the park finally reopened for business on 19 June 2015.

Some of the original rides have been restored and the park includes a number of retro-style amusements including a roller-disco, replica helter-skelter, Punch and Judy show and Wedgwood teacup ride. The centrepiece of the new park is the original listed Scenic Railway, which has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

EMIN AND OUT – WHAT ELSE IS ON OFFER IN MARGATE?

Margate, Slough and Clacton-on-Sea were revealed to be the UK’s most unlikely property hotspots at the beginning of the year, with increases in the number of transactions up by almost 50% in the space of a year, according to research from Lloyds Bank. This was based on Land Registry data covering England and Wales.

The research compared the number of property sales in the first 10 months of 2014 compared to the first 10 months of 2013. Margate showed the highest year-on-year percentage increase of the three towns, with a 46% increase in sales between 2013 and 2014. This compares to 45% for Slough and 44% for Clacton-on-Sea. Nitesh Patel, housing economist at Lloyds Bank, said: “Margate has certainly benefited from government funding that has helped finance local regeneration programmes. For example, since opening in 2011, the Turner Gallery has brought over 900,000 visitors, as well as shops and hotels.”

He added: “In terms of housing, Margate remains highly affordable compared to towns along the same coastline. The average house price of £164,995 in Margate is £25,000 (13%) lower than Folkestone, Ramsgate, Thanet and Dover – this undoubtedly makes it an attractive place to buy a home.”

WILL MARGATE BE THE NEXT HOXTON OR BRIGHTON? Location, Location, Location presenter Phil Spencer has allegedly said that Margate is the place to buy and a short stroll around town will certainly reveal an increasing number of greater bearded Hoxton hipsters being spotted among the galleries and vintage shops of the old town.

Strutt and Parker’s Simon Backhouse says: “It won’t so much be a case of the early bird catching the worm, but the first Londoners will catch the best crabs and secure the best sites for sunbathing or water sports. An Englishman’s seaside home is anywhere he can build sandcastles.” with a tenant in situ paying £625 per calendar month and is being marketed through Mann Countrywide’s Ramsgate office (01843 589669).

If you are after a new build, a twobedroom flat with residents’ parking with open-plan lounge/ kitchen and bathroom at Turner Heights, Zion Place, Margate will set you back just £130,000. The property is also being marketed through Mann Countrywide.

Unlock your holiday home’s potential Take the first step today and find out how we can make your property a success.

 01237 426 712

5|

4|

3

Bideford - North Devon

£735,000

• Stunning elevated position • Long private gated drive • 5 Bedrooms / 3 en-suite

• 2.6 Acres

• 3 Reception rooms

• Detached one bed. annexe

• Breathtaking river views

• EPC E

For full details, or to view more of our portfolio, visit our website

morrisandbott.co.uk 01237 459 998 | Grenville Wharf, 6a The Quay, Bideford EX39 2HW

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New start at Wellesley The first new homes are now available on this ancient garrison site, discovers Tilly Rubens

T

h e first of 3,850 new homes at Wellesley, Aldershot will be released onto the market in July by developers Bellway Homes, marking a milestone in the ambitious regeneration of this former garrison site. The initial collection of new homes are now well under construction and are due for completion this autumn.

The 160-year-old garrison was the first purpose-built military town in Britain since Roman times and was prominent during both world wars.

The garrison’s history is reflected in six listed Victorian buildings in the area, which includes the impressive Cambridge Military Hospital codesigned by Florence Nightingale.

“To be the first housebuilder to bring new homes to such a significant project as Wellesley is very exciting for us, and we are looking forward to welcoming prospective purchasers to the site for the first time next month,” says Claire McGoldrick, area sales manager for Bellway Homes Thames Valley.

The development will offer a range of 11 different house types in the first

phase including one- and two-bedroom apartments, one-bedroom maisonettes and three- to five-bedroom houses.

Bellway released the first phase of the four- and five-bedroom detached homes and townhouses for sale in early July.

There are three distinct styles of house: The ‘Arnhem’ features five bedrooms across three floors, three of which include en suite shower rooms. On the ground floor, double French doors lead out from the living room to the garden, and there are large feature bay windows in the kitchen/ dining area to allow in plenty of natural light.

•T he ‘Blenheim’ is slightly bigger and offers four bedrooms spread over three floors. A large living room with double French doors, leading to rear garden and patio area, and a generously sized family kitchen/ dining area occupies the ground floor.

Two double bedrooms and a family bedroom can be found on the second floor while the master bedroom and a fourth bedroom occupies the top floor. All bedrooms have en suite shower facilities.

•

•T he

detached ‘Duchess’ fourbedroom house type is a good-size family home and is within easy reach of the new Parade Park. On the ground floor there is a home office, kitchen/diner and double French doors to the rear leading onto the garden. On the second floor, there is a master bedroom with en suite facilities. On the top floor there are two double bedrooms and a

single bedroom which all share the family bathroom.

The area is undergoing long-term regeneration with the delivery of two new primary schools, a new neighbourhood centre, two children’s play areas, sports fields, allotments and a specially designed Heritage Trail to take in the site’s locally listed buildings and memorials.

Prospective housebuyers are invited to visit the new marketing suite from 10.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday and between 12.00 noon to 7.00pm on Thursday.

The five-bedroom ‘Arnhem’ show home will be open at the end of July, and another four-bedroom show house will be opening in late August.

Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk; 01252 916 886.

LIME WALK WEMBLEY

SHOW HOME NOW OPEN LIME WALK COMPRISES A CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION OF 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS • Intelligently designed layouts offering a fantastic specification

• A 5 min walk from Wembley Park Station with links to the West End within 30 mins on the Jubilee line*

• Moments from Wembley Stadium, the SSE Arena and the London Designer Outlet

• Less than a mile from Fryent Country Park offering 254 acres of open space*

Prices from £280,000† Flexible buying options available Marketing Suite & Show Home open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm Viewings by appointment only

networkliving.co.uk

0203 667 1516

LIME-WALK.CO.UK

Computer generated image of Lime Walk. Internal images of previous Network Living developments. *Travel times and distances approximate only taken from Google maps and TFL. †Prices correct at time of press.

Luxury homes in the highly desirable Blackheath Quarter Kidbrooke Village a new village for London

Merlin Court offers an outstanding choice of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments located at the contemporary Blackheath Quarter. Resident’s will benefit from a range of facilities including a bespoke swimming pool, cinema room, gym, treatment room and 24 hour Concierge.

Delivered in proud partnership with:

Only 15 minutes from London Bridge.* Starting price £490,000. Call a member of the sales team on 020 8003 2884.

Sales & Marketing Suite and Show Home now open daily 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm). Wallace Court, 40 Tizzard Grove, London SE3 9FD Computer generated Image depicts Merlin Court at Blackheath Quarter and is indicative only. Prices and details correct at time of going to press. *Source: www.tfl.gov.uk

www.kidbrookevillage.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

Waterfront II - Now launched The ultimate riverside living with forthcoming on-site Crossrail station

1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available from £395,000. Call 020 8003 3661.

Sales & Marketing Suite open daily 10am to 6pm (Thursdays until 8pm).

No.1 Street, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Woolwich, London SE18 6FB Approximate travel times for Crossrail taken from Royal Arsenal Woolwich. Source: www.crossrail.co.uk Computer generated image of Waterfront is indicative only. Price and information correct at time of going to press.

www.royalarsenalriverside.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

HEATHROW 50 MINUTES

BOND STREET 22 MINUTES

LIVERPOOL STREET 14 MINUTES

CANARY WHARF 8 MINUTES

ROYAL ARSENAL WOOLWICH

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A life of luxury with Morris Dibben

Holmfield House, Chilworth • £2.295m Holmfield House, Chilworth • £2.295m Holmfield House is an imposing detached property in 2000 on a charming one-acre Holmfieldbuilt House is an imposing detached plot.

No expense has been withone-acre the property built in 2000 on aspared charming property, which extends tospared over 8,500 plot. No expense has been with sq theft.

The extensive accommodation has been property, which extends to over 8,500 sq ft. designed with entertainment in mind, The extensive accommodation has been including a substantial kitchen, designed with entertainment in wonderful mind, dining room with doorskitchen, that open out to the including a substantial wonderful rear garden elegant room. dining roomand withandoors thatdrawing open out to the There are seven rear garden and bedrooms an elegantarranged drawing across room. the first second floors,arranged one of which There areand seven bedrooms acrossis the wonderful masterfloors, bedroom which first and second one suite of which is features a dressing room, en suite bathroom the wonderful master bedroom suite which and a further shower roomenand sauna. features a dressing room, suite bathroom and a further shower room and sauna.

with Morris Dibben T T

his month, Simon Edser of Morris Dibben in Southampton talks us through his three month, Simon Edser Morris Dibben in Southampton us through his favourite luxuryofproperties currently on the markettalks in Hampshire. his three favourite luxury properties currently on the market in Hampshire.

Find out more by contacting Morris Dibben on 02380 228822; www.morrisdibben.co.uk Find out more by contacting Morris Dibben on 02380 228822; www.morrisdibben.co.uk

Chilworth Grange, Chilworth • £1.275m Chilworth Grange, Chilworth • £1.275m

Forest Row, East Grinstead • £2.55m North Weald, Chilworth • £1.75m

Situated in half an acre of grounds in the heart of ainwooded Grange Situated half an valley, acre ofChilworth grounds in the boasts secluded and tranquil heart ofa awonderfully wooded valley, Chilworth Grange location.

Ideal for a family, theand property boasts a wonderfully secluded tranquil provides abundance of living space, location. an Ideal for a family, the property with a substantial kitchen/breakfast room provides an abundance of living space, with adjoining utility room, dining room, a substantial kitchen/breakfast room drawing room, utility library room, and study onroom, the with adjoining dining ground drawingfloor. room, library and study on the There’s also a wonderful reception hall ground floor.

There’s also a wonderful reception hall

with galleried landing, which leads to five double bedrooms on thewhich first floor, twofive of with galleried landing, leads to which en suite.onPerfect forfloor, the kids, doubleare bedrooms the first two the of top floor fun games room. which areprovides en suite.aPerfect for the kids, the spectacular topEdser floorcomments: provides a “The fun games room.finish of Edser the rooms is the pièce de résistancefinish of comments: “The spectacular this fantastic family home. bespokeofand of the rooms is the pièce deThe résistance handmade kitchen certainly the heart this fantastic familyis home.

Theatbespoke and of the home, while isthe master at bedroom en handmade kitchen certainly the heart suite highest level ofbedroom luxury.” en of theoffers home,the while the master suite offers the highest level of luxury.”

This impressive detached property offers extensive accommodation.

The charming This impressive detached property offers grounds, approach one in size, extensive which accommodation.

Theacre charming are southerly facing and lightly wooded. grounds, which approach one acre in size, The central reception halllightly leads off to are southerly facing and wooded. the floor accommodation, The ground central reception hall leads offwhich to incorporates a kitchen/breakfast the ground floor accommodation,room, which family room, alounge and dining room, while incorporates kitchen/breakfast the upper floors holdand six bedrooms, four of family room, lounge dining room, while which are en suite. the upper floors hold six bedrooms, four of which are en suite.

A great advantage of the property is the two-storey guest annexe with two bedrooms, A great advantage of the property is the atwo-storey kitchen and living room,with perfect visiting guest annexe two for bedrooms, family or and friends or even a rentalforproperty. a kitchen living room,asperfect visiting Edserorcomments: “What already family friends or even asmakes a rentalthis property. impressive property “What even more special is the Edser comments: makes this already striking double-height glass atrium at the impressive property even more special is the rear, which floods the property withat light, striking double-height glass atrium the providing furtherthe reception rear, whicha floods propertyspace withwith light, wonderful of the gardens”. providing aviews further reception space with wonderful views of the gardens”.

Electrolux Group:

Industry Leaders in Household Durables for eight consecutive years.

Electrolux is the only company in the Household Durables category to qualify for Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World, and has been included in DJSI every year since the index was launched in 1999.

For more information, go to www.sustainability-indices.com

‘‘

Sustainability is an integral part of the Electrolux Group’s strategy, and we are therefore especially proud to have achieved the highest score of the Household Durables category for our efforts in the environmental area.

‘‘

Electrolux has retained its position as Industry Leader in the Household Durables category for the eighth consecutive year in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

Henrik Sundström

Head of Sustainability Affairs at Electrolux.

ELEGANCE & ARTISTRY CR AF TED RESIDENCES IN HISTORIC SMITHFIELD, EC1 PRICES FROM £815,000* 020 7726 8995 | BARTSSQUARE.COM

*Price correct at time of going to press.

Computer generated image of Barts Square.

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Property of the month with Strutt & Parker

three/four-bedrooms and is secluded from the main house, with its own garden. It is currently let but could be used for secondary accommodation.

The property is nestled at the foot of the South Downs, with stunning views and spectacular walks in the surrounding areas. Plumpton train station is located 1.7 miles away and offers direct services to London Victoria.

Find out more at www.struttandparker.com; 020 7629 7282

Discover the freedom renting in retirement can bring...

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once described her childhood home as “perfect in every way”.

The Laines is constructed of knapped flint walls under a tiled roof and had a Gothic style orangery added in the 1970s. The spacious accommodation here boasts a wealth of period features, with the principal rooms having classic Georgian proportions with high ceilings, working fireplaces and French windows opening on to the east and south terraces.

The separate Laines Cottage boasts

ng retire tti

T

he Laines in Plumpton, East Sussex, is a sevenbedroom Grade II listed property, dating back to the 18th century and known as the family home of the Duchess of Cornwall.

With a guide price of £2.95m, this property comes to market for only the second time in 63 years, and is being sold by the actor James Wilby, who purchased it from Camilla’s father, Bruce Shand. The Duchess

WhatHouse?_FP_v1_Layout 1 27/07/2015 12:33 Page 1

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OVER 55s* OUR SALES AND MARKETING SUITE IS OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 10.00AM – 5.00PM.

FACILITIES IN THE CLUBHOUSE INCLUDE: • FITNESS CENTRE • SWIMMING POOL • LIBRARY • MEDICAL CENTRE • GAMES ROOM • MEETING ROOM • RESTAURANT AND BAR • GUEST SUITE • WINTER GARDEN LOUNGE • LUXURY APARTMENTS

residents’ clubhouse now open If you haven’t seen our prestigious clubhouse yet, we would firmly recommend you do. A perfect place for meeting, relaxing, having fun, learning a new skill and generally enjoying your free time – which is what life at one of our villages is all about. Call us now and join other like-minded people who have made the right move into retirement.

OUR CURRENT VILLAGES OF LUXURY APARTMENTS AND COTTAGES LOCATIONS INCLUDE:

MAUDSLAY PARK WARWICKSHIRE PRICES FROM £485,000

DURRANTS VILLAGE WEST SUSSEX PRICES FROM £300,000

BRAMSHOTT PLACE HAMPSHIRE PRICES FROM £249,995

MILLBROOK VILLAGE DEVON PRICES FROM £340,000

T: 01789 508021 www.maudslaypark.co.uk

T: 01293 851935 www.durrantsvillage.co.uk

T: 020 8781 6114 www.bramshottplace.co.uk

T: 01392 275335 www.millbrookvillage.co.uk

ONLY 3 APARTMENTS REMAINING - NEW PHASE OF COTTAGES COMING SOON

SHOW HOMES NOW OPEN

RESERVE OFF-PLAN

NEW SHOW HOMES NOW OPEN

www.renaissancevillages.co.uk

*Subject to terms and conditions. Images shown are of the clubhouse at Durrants Village. Prices correct at time of going to press.

For more information call 01293 851935 or visit www.durrantsvillage.co.uk

For the latest on the property market

sussex 39

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Fair share

First-time buyer gets on the property ladder using shared ownership scheme in Chichester. Tilly Rubens reports.

O

wning wning her her own own property property I’ve I’ve got got beautiful beautiful parkland parkland on on the the was a distance dream doorstep, quiet countryside and was a distance dream doorstep, quiet countryside and the the for for 27-year-old 27-year-old Rosie Rosie beach beach within within aa short short drive. drive. I’m I’m also also Knott Knott when when she she began began near near all all the the shops shops and and entertainment entertainment looking for her first of the city.” looking for her first of the city.” property The property in in Chichester, Chichester, after after moving moving The new new development development is is surrounded surrounded to to the the area area to to start start aa new new job. job. Despite Despite by by 85 85 acres acres of of green green parkland parkland saving saving hard hard to to raise raise aa £25,000 £25,000 and and, once once completed, completed, will will provide provide deposit, deposit, strict strict mortgage mortgage lending lending rules rules 825 825 new new and and refurbished refurbished energyenergymade made it it difficult difficult for for her her to to obtain obtain aa efficient efficient homes, homes, featuring featuring striking striking mortgage mortgage for for the the full full asking asking price price of of contemporary contemporary interiors interiors and and designs. designs. aa property.

It property.

It is is aa joint joint venture venture between between Affinity Affinity Fortunately she discovered Sutton, Linden Homes Fortunately she discovered Sutton, Linden Homes and and the the Homes Homes Affinity Affinity Sutton’s Sutton’s shared shared ownership ownership and and Communities Communities Agency.

Agency. scheme Affinity scheme at at Graylingwell Graylingwell Park, Park, which which is is Affinity Sutton Sutton gives gives the the opportunity opportunity conveniently located less than a mile for young buyers to get conveniently located less than a mile for young buyers to get their their first first step step from from Chichester Chichester city city centre. centre. The The shared shared on on the the property property ladder ladder through through equity equity ownership ownership scheme scheme allowed allowed Rosie Rosie loans loans and and shared shared ownership ownership schemes. schemes. to to purchase purchase aa 45% 45% share share of of aa oneone- Graylingwell Graylingwell offers offers buyers buyers aa variety variety bedroom bedroom property property at at the the development, development, of of types types of of homes homes through through shared shared priced ownership, priced £165,500 £165,500 at at full full market market value. value. ownership, with with prices prices starting starting from from “Owning “Owning my my own own property property in in £43,750 £43,750 for for aa minimum minimum 25% 25% share share of of Chichester Chichester has has been been an an incredible incredible aa one-bedroom one-bedroom flat flat with with aa full full market market opportunity opportunity and and II wouldn’t wouldn’t have have value value of of £175,000. £175,000. been Rosie been able able to to do do it it without without the the shared shared Rosie wanted wanted to to find find somewhere somewhere ownership scheme,” says Rosie. to live close to family andand friends and ownership scheme,” says Rosie. to live close to family friends Half page edit_Layout 1 28/07/2015 16:33 Page 1she discovered the scheme, “My “My new new home home is is perfect perfect for for me. me. before and before she discovered the scheme

rented rented aa studio studio attic attic apartment apartment of of aa friend’s home in order she could friend’s home in order she could save save as as large large aa deposit deposit as as possible. possible. She She has has found found her her monthly monthly outgoings outgoings in in her her new new home home to to be be very very manageable. manageable.

“The £220 “The mortgage mortgage is is just just over over £220 aa month month and and the the subsidised subsidised rent rent is is just just under under £325 £325 aa month, month, far far less less than than the the average average rental rental price price of of other other properties in Chichester,” adds properties in Chichester,” adds Rosie.

Rosie.

“I’m “I’m delighted delighted II discovered discovered shared shared ownership, ownership, II was was able able to to get get far far more more for for my my money money and and get get on on the the property property ladder. ladder.”

Shared Shared ownership ownership allows allows the the buyer buyer to purchase 25-75% share to purchase 25-75% share of of the the property property initially initially with with aa proportionally proportionally smaller smaller deposit deposit and and mortgage. mortgage. The The remaining remaining share share is is paid paid for for by by way way of of aa subsidised subsidised rent. rent. Owners Owners can can then buy further shares as then buy further shares as and and when when they they can can afford afford to to (a (a process process known known as until they they own own the the as ‘staircasing’) ‘staircasing’) until property outright. property outright.

For For more more information information visit visit www.affinitysutton.com; 0300 www.affinitysutton.com; 0300 100 100 0303 0303

Making the right move into retirement June part-exchanges to her dream home at Durrants Village

A

fter many years spent living in her ageing apartment in an old manor house just outside Rusper, June Barton was starting to find things were either getting old or going wrong and, with the advancing of years, she was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain and manage. A friend had told her about Durrants Village in Faygate near Horsham – one of the latest being built by retirement specialist Renaissance Villages – so she decided to go and take a look.

June Barton comments: “As soon as I went to see Durrants Village and looked around the show apartment and cottages I was very impressed and, after making that first visit, I came away knowing this is where I wanted to be.”

June put her old flat up for sale almost as soon as she returned from her first visit to Durrants Village but, over the coming months, she

had very few viewings. As time passed she became increasingly desperate to move into her new home. Whilst attending a coffee morning for existing and potential residents at Durrants Village June was offered the option of using the part-exchange scheme, which the Company operates in partnership with Silverbridge Properties, and was only too pleased to have the whole selling process taken away from her. "From that moment onwards all the stress and hassle was put to bed. Once we started on the part exchange route I didn't have to worry about a thing I got a good price for my old flat and within eight weeks I had moved into my new one at Durrants Village!"

The location is also working well for June – as a local artist and ex art teacher and with a love for landscapes she is enjoying the semi-

rural location of Durrants Village.

“I would love to share my love for art in a group environment as I still think I have something to give and we are in an ideal location here for landscape drawing and painting.”

As a member of the local church she has made new friends in the area as well as on site and says;

“Once we started On the part exchange rOute I dIdn't have tO wOrry abOut a thIng.” “For single people it is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and get out and about.”

Durrants Village will have a range of 154 spacious two and three bedroom cottages and twobed apartments, all very highly

specified and featuring luxury fitted kitchens and bathrooms, specifically for discerning buyers over 55. The newly opened clubhouse with fitness centre, swimming pool and gym, library, medical centre, games room, meeting room, bar and restaurant will sit at the heart of the development and be the focus of social activities.

For more information about Durrants Village and to arrange a viewing of the showhomes, contact the sales and marketing suite, open every day from 10am – 5pm.

• Telephone 01293 851935 • www.durrantsvillage.co.uk • Prices start from £300,000

STATION ROAD, AYLESFORD, ME20 7JH

HO ME I T ’S A S M A L L WO RD W ITH A BIG M E A N I N G A stunning new gated development of 4 & 5 bedroom houses in the picturesque village of Aylesford, Kent. Beautifully landscaped with a mixture of imaginatively designed homes Ashlin Quarter is the perfect place to call home.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

W E B : W W W. A S H L I N Q U A R T E R . C O M / K E N T TEL: 01622 790 090

EMAIL: INFO@ASHLINQUARTER.COM

Help to Buy

MARKETING SUITE/SHOW HOUSE OPENING HOURS, 10AM – 5PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK Prices are correct at time of going to press. Computer Generated Imagery is for illustrative purposes only. Interior pictures are of the show house at Ashlin Quarter, the Blackwell and furnishings are not included. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. Available on new build homes up to £600,000 subject to the Government’s ‘Help to Buy’ terms and conditions and only available to customers where a primary mortgage is secured. Not available on second, additional homes, buy-to-let or let-to-buy properties. The equity loan is interest free for the first five years and needs to be a minimum of 10% of the purchase price up to a maximum of 20%. After five years, an annual fee of 1.75% of the outstanding equity loan is charged. This is increased annually at + 1% RPI. Subject to status, terms and conditions apply.

014767 ASHLIN WHAT HOUSE? AD D2 (PRINT).indd 1

07/01/2015 11:20

Spoilt for choice this summer BIRMINGHAM M42

Worcester Great Malvern

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Merthyr Tydfil

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Swansea

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MERRYBROOK GRANGE

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Bristol

ST GEORGE’S MEWS

Bath Radstock

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SOMER MEWS II Bridgwater

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Taunton

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CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS: 1 Elan@The Gateway, South Molton

Stunning development of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes Tel: 01769 574581 thegateway.sales@elan-homes.co.uk

2 Harbin Fields, Yeovil

Exclusive selection of 4 bedroom homes Tel: 07891 312887 harbinfields.sales@elan-homes.co.uk

3 Kathleen Grange & May Court, Bideford

Exclusive collection of 3 & 4 bedroom homes Tel: 01237 424224 kathleenandmay.sales@elan-homes.co.uk

4 Somer Mews II, Radstock

7 Kingsbury Gardens, Milborne Port

5 Derrington Mews, Kempsey

8 St George’s Mews, Cheltenham

Exclusive selection of 3 bedroom bungalows Tel: 01275 337250 somermews.sales@elan-homes.co.uk Stunning development of 10 houses & bungalows Tel: 01905 821066 derringtonmews.sales@elan-homes.co.uk

6 Merrybrook Grange, Evesham

A stunning selection of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom detached houses and bungalows Tel: 01905 821066 merrybrookgrange.sales@elan-homes.co.uk

Stunning development of 3 & 4 bedroom homes Tel: 07891 312887 kingsburygardens.sales@elan-homes.co.uk

Exclusive development of 3 & 4 bedroom homes Tel: 01275 337250

COMING SOON: 1 Bruton 2 Merthyr Tydfil 3 Castle Cary 4 Gorseinon Images are representative only.

www.elan-homes.co.uk

Homes you’ll love inside out

For the latest on the property market

kent 43

@What_House

Canterbury – a buyer’s guide ABOUT CANTERBURY Canterbury is a thriving city with a population of 55,000 and is probably best known for its world famous cathedral, which dates back to 597AD, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. As such, it is a tourist Mecca, both for young and old.

SCHOOLS

Martin Jordan, director of Humberts estate agents in Canterbury, gives us the lowdown on one of the country’s most famous and best-loved cities.

Canterbury offers a fantastic selection of highly reputed schools, both private and state. King’s Canterbury, set within the city walls, is a well-established private school that regularly features in the Tatler Good Schools Guide.

Kent College and St Edmund’s are two other favoured private schools situated beyond the city walls. For the state sector, the Simon Langton Girls and Boys schools are popular grammar options.

TRANSPORTS LINKS Canterbury is served by two mainline railways: Canterbury West, which provides the ‘Javelin’ service arriving at London St Pancras in just 53 minutes, and Canterbury East, which takes

passengers into London Victoria in just over an hour and a half. Another big selling point for Canterbury is its proximity to the coast - it’s within half an hour of the Channel tunnel terminal, which takes you to France in just 35 minutes.

ARTS AND LEISURE The vibrant city centre, enclosed by an original city wall, has been transformed in the past decade, with a splendid new shopping centre, together with a range of boutique shops, cafes and bars along the King’s Mile. Canterbury is also well known for the arts, with the wonderful new Marlowe Theatre situated in the heart of the city, together with the established Gulbenkian Theatre located on the university campus, to the north of the city.

HOUSING STOCK The city centre has many period buildings and a number of new flats, so as to cater for the growing student population. Just outside of the city wall, St Dunstan’s and the favoured roads to the south are made up of period and modern

family homes. Typical prices are from £150,000-£250,000 for one- to two-bedroom flats, up to £450,000£750,000 for four- to five-bedroom detached houses.

DID YOU KNOW? • The King’s School is the oldest continually operating school in

the world.

• Contemporary historians can find no trace that Geoffrey Chaucer, writer of the world famous Canterbury Tales, ever visited the city.

You can find out more about Humberts at www.humberts.com; 01227 452780

50% sold at the launch!

Join us to view the last remaining apartments

Pavilion Park North Foreland Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1EW

2 and 3 bedrooms, some with private gardens, some with balconies, off road parking with 2 garages available.

Step into a world of grandeur, ornate wood carvings, With sweeping balustrades and majestic views. Pavilion Park a truly unique development.

Prices from £250,000 For more information call 01843 860180 visit www.pavilionpark.co.uk

FABULOUS SHOW HOME AVAILABLE TO VIEW BY APPOINTMENT

Haine Lane

Broadstairs

Six 3 bedroom houses all with off road parking and gardens.

Price £225,000

BEACH WALK BEACH WALK, BROADSTAIRS CT10 1FA

AVAILA

3 bedrooms Ensuite to master bedroom Downstairs cloakrooms Lounge Kitchen Dining room/family room

Call haart Broadstairs 01843 860180

SOLD PRIOR TO LAUNCH

A stunning collection of New England style houses

O BUY HELP TE MESITE SCBLH E ON THIS • • • • • •

50% ALREADY

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Walking

3, 4 & 5 bedrooms distance to Private gardens beach All with garage, three having electric doors Off road parking Ensuites High specification

the

For more information call 01843 860180

Three bedroom townhouses available

from £335,000

For the latest on the property market

Show time Berkeley Homes quality, renowned across London, is now establishing itself all over Kent

T

h ere’s nothing your WhatHouse? editorial team enjoy more than a property “road trip”, getting out and about to see new homes first-hand, especially when it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re heading to some

kent 45

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of the more scenic parts of Kent.

So we were delighted to take up the invitation of Karrina Oki, sales and marketing director at Berkeley Homes, to join her and her team to see three of the company’s current projects in the county and a number of show homes.

Berkeley Homes is one of the bestknown names in UK housebuilding, winning multiple awards as much for its homes as for its achievements in sustainability and as a company whose stewardship is admired throughout the country and in Europe.

The Berkeley name is seen far and wide across London, building around 10% of all new homes in the capital in large and small schemes, and it is being seen more and more around the Home Counties as its ambitions stretch further afield.

Our trip takes in Tunbridge Wells, Snodland Lakes and Sevenoaks and the most striking thing we notice is the diversity of the property types on offer, and the wide range of homebuyers that are being attracted to each scheme. Furthermore, with a range of show homes and sophisticated marketing suites to look at, there are numerous opportunities to see close-up the individual elements that make up each home.

Oki and the Berkeley team spend a lot of time, thought and money on

these elements of each site, as for many homebuyers the show home is still a vital component of the purchasing process, a way to thoroughly check the details of specification and build quality before deciding to sign a reservation form.

They act as inspiration too, providing buyers with new ideas and the latest trends which they can then adopt in their own homes when they move in. Today, we see show homes designed by a handful of the best specialist companies, including Alexander James, Suna and Jane Clayton, and each is styled differently to suit the location, price point and buyer demographic.

Here, we take a look in more detail at each of the Kent schemes we visited.

Royal Wells Park

Holborough Lakes

Aspen Place, Ryewood

Just a few minutes’ from the railway station, on an elevated, central position on a former hospital site, progress is already well under way at Royal Wells Park. Just seven of the current phase of 29 two- and three-bedroom apartments are available. A launch of 12 townhouse and mews properties is planned for the autumn, which will provide a new four-bedroom show home to view.

A senior living block is already completed, as are a number of street scenes with a variety of property types. Visiting the marketing suite will give house-hunters the chance to see a model of the full development, explore details with some clever audiovisual technology and walk around a full-size, fully fitted show apartment that demonstrates the standard of fittings, fixtures and appliances.

This large development has been taking shape for a number of years, transforming a former quarry site into a desirable waterside residential development. The most striking thing about it is the architecture, which combines New England style with Kent vernacular design – so expect lots of weatherboarding in different pastel shades throughout the scheme, though each phase has different designs to provide variety throughout the site.

Whether you are looking for an airy apartment or a larger house, you can enjoy amenities such as the village green, village hall, the diving and watersports club, crèche and fitness centre.

A new primary school is also proposed as this development grows. A trim trail around the scheme emphasises its appeal to anyone looking for open spaces and outdoor activities.

Located just a couple of minutes from Dunton Green station, on the outskirts of Sevenoaks, this development offers the convenience of excellent transport links and proximity to the town’s amenities but is right on the doorstep of tranquil areas such as Rye Wood itself and the varied habitats of Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve.

The street scenes here show a diverse range of home styles. Currently for sale, the Aspen Place phase has traditional finishes such as brick, weatherboarding and hanging tiles, though the solar panels on the roof display some of the latest eco-credentials. Two children’s play areas and a residents’ gym are a boon to everyone, but the sheer number of great schools in and around Sevenoaks make it a particularly attractive option for families.

Prices from £460,000; http://whathou.se/d6NaKK; 01844 452 516

Prices from £195,000; http://whathou.se/rjSxQs; 01633 383058

Prices from £270,000; http://whathou.se/sr7zF9; 01733 785066

Culverden Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9QT

Manley Boulevard, Holborough ME6 5PD

Rye Lane, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, TN14 5HD

NEW IS GETTING YOUR NEXT HOME WITH HELP TO BUY With the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme you could take your next step up the property ladder sooner than you think. Buy any new Barratt home in England worth up to £600,000 and you could be eligible. Here’s how it works: you provide a 5% deposit and the Government gives you an equity loan of up to 20% of the property’s value. That means you only need a 75% mortgage and you’ll still own 100% of your new home.

St Mary’s Park, Dilly Lane, Hartley Wintney RG27 8EG The exclusive Rowling design is now released from £419,995 Marketing Suite open Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 10am - 4pm

barratthomes.co.uk 01252 842 867

Help to Buy

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Limited availability, selected plots only. Subject to status, terms and conditions apply. See www.barratthomes.co.uk for full details. BDW Trading Limited (number 03018173) whose registered office is at Barratt House, Cartwright Way, Forest Business Park, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1UF (“BDW”) BDW is a subsidiary of Barratt Developments PLC. The Homes and Communities Agency (“HCA”) provides an equity loan for 20% of the purchase price of the property. The equity loan provided by the HCA is secured as second charge on your property. The amount you have to repay to the HCA may be more than the amount of the equity loan provided. Help to Buy England Scheme is available in England only and on properties up to £600k. Prices correct at time of going to press.

Advertising images may include upgrades as home spec can vary.

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Inspired by tradition

TRADITIONAL CHARACTER, CONTEMPORARY LIVING If you're searching for a new home with traditional charm as well as all the internal features you desire for comfortable, convenient and stylish living, look no further than Hopkins Homes and Hopkins and Moore.

We are East Anglia's leading developers, building collections of homes to exceptionally high standards, each one individually designed to complement its setting, be it town, village, countryside or coast.

Call us or visit our website for further information hopkinshomes.co.uk • 01394 446860 Hopkins Homes builds traditional award winning homes throughout Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex

48 armchair gardener

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

A trick of the eye I

Small gardens can be challenging, but Richenda Oldham has some practical solutions that will help make your tiny space look bigger

f you are faced with a miserably small patch of ground that currently masquerades as a garden, take heart. There are plenty of visual tricks that can be used to transform a pocket hankie into a bold bandana. The key to achieving this metamorphosis is to think big and be confident.

So, go on, be brave and try using the following steps to create a spectacular space that you can be proud to call your garden.

SHAPE AND STRUCTURE The shapes you create within your garden are absolutely key to its success. So the lawn and patio areas need careful consideration. One of the best ways to make a garden seem larger is the use of circular shapes. A circle of lawn will have a fattening effect that will help make the garden seem larger than it is, particularly if the original space is square shaped. If you have room, you could try two circles together, but make the circle nearest the house larger than the one furthest away, which changes the perspective and makes it look longer.

PLANT IN PROPORTION Don’t allow your planting to outweigh your lawn or patio, as over-sized plants will overwhelm your garden. So keep a sense of proportion by choosing plants that won’t grow too large for the garden. If you have borders, plant small plants at the front and larger ones at

the back. Make use of climbing plants or even trees to create the illusion of height (and therefore space).

Circles – circular shapes are a great way of creating the illusion of space either through imaginative planting, lawns, or paving

HIDDEN SPACES Another way of creating the illusion of size is to keep the second half of the garden hidden from view – like a secret garden. You can do this by placing a pergola over a path, so it becomes part of the walkway or by laying a winding path that leads to an area of lawn or patio with a bench or table and chairs.

MATERIAL SIZES While it works to be bold in the overall design, when it comes to materials, such as paving slabs or tiles, it’s actually better to use smaller sizes that are in proportion to the space.

The same goes for stone gravel and decking. Pay particular attention to the direction in which you lay the slabs or decking – run it from side to side, to make your garden look wider or from top to bottom if you want it to appear longer.

COLOUR Choose warm colours to use nearer the house and cooler colours at the far end of the garden, which will create the illusion of distance. Another way of achieving this effect is to use darker colours in the distance. A feature, such as a statue or a fountain will also help give the impression of greater length than is actually there.

Pathways – a winding path that leads to a small patio at the end of the garden will add mystery

Mystery – an archway will prevent the garden from being seen in one go and will make it appear larger

Reflections – use water, such as a small pool, to reflect light and surroundings

Proportion – borders should have low level planting at the front with taller plants at the back

HOW SMALL CHANGE COULD MAKE YOU BIG RETURNS There aren’t many investment opportunities with a 2,000 year old heritage.

But this is a coin with the seal of approval from the first Emperor of Rome. It is a gold ‘Aureus’ struck in 15-13 BC, featuring both Augustus, the Emperor and a butting bull.

This Augustan Aureus is priced at £32,000. In 2013 an Aureus from 15-13 BC was auctioned for US $425,500, 227% up on its $130,000 estimate. Another, with a unique heifer design, sold for £300,000 in 2014.

Uncorrelated with other asset classes, rare coins and stamps provide several thousand Stanley Gibbons Investment clients with strong portfolio diversification and the potential for capital growth.

To find out more call 0845 026 7170 or visit sginvest.co.uk/whathouse The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back what you put in. Stamps and certain other collectibles are not designated investments for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 and as such are not subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or otherwise. Stanley Gibbons Investment does not provide valuations.

50 buy-to-let

Find your new home at Whathouse.com

The battle of buy-to-let W

ith homeownership levels at a 25-year low, and the number of private renters doubling between 2004 and 2014, there has been a spotlight recently on the relationship between the tenants of ‘generation rent’ and private landlords.

The tighter buy-to-let regulations announced in the recent Budget and increased discussion around improving standards in rental properties are going some way to

allaying the fears of tenants, but concerns remain about conditions and rent increases, particularly in the capital.

Concerns in the private rented sector are not limited to tenants, however. Landlords also report problems with their tenants, including damaged property and failure to pay rent on time. These two articles, based on recent research, show the growing divide between landlords and tenants in what might fast be becoming the battle of buy-to-let.

Rats, rent hikes and early evictions: More than half of tenants suffer problems with their rented property

M

400,000 UK landlords have been affected by property damage

A

n estimated 400,000 landlords in the UK (29%) have had their property damaged by tenants in the last 12 months, according to the latest research from the National Landlords Association.

The figures also show that 8% – or approximately 120,000 – landlords in the UK have had to make an insurance claim of some kind in the last 12 months, and spend an average 5% of their rental income on landlord insurance premiums.

However, half of landlords (49%) say they haven’t spent any money on insurance premiums in the last year.

The news comes after the

chancellor announced that insurance premium tax will rise this November from 6% to 9.5%. The new rate, which includes landlord insurance premiums, is expected to generate up to £1.75bn a year for the Treasury.

PROTECT YOUR RENTAL INVESTMENTS The NLA’s chairman, Carolyn Uphill, is keen to remind landlords to protect their rental investments in order to cover all eventualities and to insure against the unexpected.

Mrs Uphill said: “Property damage can be a costly issue for landlords, especially if the level of damage exceeds the value of the tenancy deposit.

“We hear time and time again from landlords who have suffered because they failed to properly vet their tenants before granting a tenancy, and it’s alarming just how many landlords find out the hard way that their basic home insurance policy doesn’t provide the cover they need.

“It’s vital to have the right policies and protections in place and landlords should ensure they carry out crucial tenant checks prior to letting their properties. Landlords who are unsure about what cover they need should get in touch about our bespoke property insurance offering, which includes some of the widest cover for landlords and buy-to-let owners in the market.”

re than half of o tenants say they have experienced problems with their homes over the past 12 months, ranging from poor maintenance to breaches of their contract.

The biggest problem raised by tenants was their landlord’s failure to fix structural problems including damp, a leaking roof or rotten window frames, according to the research by Ocean Finance.

A further 13% of tenants suffered delays in repairing broken furniture, showers and washing machines; 14% faced unexpected increases in their rent, disputes over money deducted from their deposits and even early eviction when their landlord sold the property.

Those in London fared the worst, with 60% saying they experienced problems in the past 12 months. This was followed by tenants in the East Midlands and the rest of the South East region.

Thirty-five per cent said even though they complained to the landlord or letting agent, their problems were not fixed. While 13% said they didn’t know who to turn to for advice, 5% took matters into their own hands and refused to pay their rent until the landlord resolved the problem.

KEY FIGURES • 15% of tenants faced delays in fixing damp, leaks and structural problems • 13% complained about broken appliances or furniture • 7% had properties infested with rats, mice or bugs • 14% faced rent hikes, deposit deductions or early evictions Gareth Shilton, a spokesman for Ocean, says: “Landlords have an obligation to ensure that the properties they let are well maintained and safe for their tenants to live in. The research indicates that many tenants are renting sub-standard properties.

It’s also concerning that people are facing mid-tenancy rent increases or have money unexpectedly taken from their deposits.

“One of the problems may be a lack of clarity over whose responsibility it is to maintain different aspects of a property. Often the landlord believes the tenant is responsible for doing repairs that in fact they are obligated to make.”

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52 mortgages

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Why your mortgage lender might be checking you out on social media If you’re applying for a mortgage, make sure your social media revelations don’t scupper your chances, warns Nick Parkhouse

C

h anges to mortgage rules in 2014 have made it more difficult to get a home loan. Lenders are now asking more questions as part of your mortgage interview and are analysing your spending habits more closely than they have ever done before in order to ensure your new mortgage is affordable to you.

A report in the Daily Mirror has also revealed that lenders are turning to social media to check that applicants are telling the truth in their applications. So, how could your LinkedIn profile or Instagram account sabotage your mortgage application – or even send you to jail.

USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO IDENTIFY MORTGAGE FRAUD

Specialist trade magazine Mortgage Solutions has revealed that lenders are

applicant claiming to be a UK resident only ever posted photos of Dubai on their Instagram account.

Mortgage broker Dominik Lipnicki says: “Whether you’re applying for a job or you are applying for finance, especially a big commitment like a mortgage, what you put on the internet can be available to everyone.

Take your job history on LinkedIn: lenders can see if you’ve just recently resigned after saying you’re in full employment, or even if you have ill health. Or if you’re posting about a messy separation on Facebook, but you told the lender you’re applying on a joint income.”

increasingly turning to social media to establish that mortgage applicants are telling the truth. Underwriters at banks and building societies are browsing your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

and other social media accounts to make sure that the information you give to them is correct.

The Daily Mirror recently reported a case where a lender found an

HIDING INFORMATION COULD LAND YOU A TERM IN PRISON While it may make sense for you to be discreet with your private life, Lipnicki stresses that the answer is not to hide important facts from the lender.

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He adds: “Clients should be aware that lying on an application form is committing mortgage fraud. It’s not just a case of being turned down, it could be much more serious.”

Keith Osborne, editor of new homes website Whathouse.com, agrees. He says: “Tweaking your application to make it look more favourable to a lender might seem innocent enough but it could land you in big trouble. Pretending you have fewer children to meet affordability rules or exaggerating your job is considered mortgage fraud and if you are caught you could end up in prison.

“Trying to pull the wool over a lender’s eyes often won’t work, especially if they can access information about you through social media. A better idea is to change your spending habits before you apply for a mortgage and to keep your current account in good order.”

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54 legal

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I will fix you Tilly Rubens looks at ways landlords can take the misery out of dealing with tenant’s repairs

and broken furniture.

WHAT ARE MY OBLIGATIONS AS A LANDLORD? Gareth Shilton, a spokesman for Ocean Finance, says: “One of the problems may be a lack of clarity over whose responsibility it is to maintain different aspects of a property.” Landlords have an obligation to ensure that the property is well-maintained and safe for their tenants to live in.

Repairing obligations will be an express term of the tenancy agreement and are also implied by law. Usually a landlord will be responsible for the following areas: • structure and exterior of the building including walls, roof, stairs and external doors and windows; • baths, sinks, toilets and other sanitary fittings including pipes and drains; • heating and hot water; • gas appliances provided by the landlord; • electrical wiring; • chimneys and ventilations.

WHAT ARE THE MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS OF MY TENENT? There is an obligation for a tenant to use his home in a responsible way which includes keeping the property reasonably clean and ventilated and not causing any damage. Even if the damage is accidental, the tenant will usually have to repair or pay for it. However this is different from fair wear and tear, which is generally the landlord’s responsibility.

The tenant may also be responsible for carrying out minor maintenance, eg checking the batteries for the smoke alarm or keeping the garden tidy. However, the tenancy agreement must be crystal clear and state what their maintenance obligations are.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY TENANT COMPLAINS?

D

e aling with dodgy cisterns and leaking U-bends are not the most glamorous parts of being a modern landlord but is an integral part of the job spec that unfortunately is often underestimated.

But there are some simple ways that landlords can take the stress out of dealing with tenant repairs.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN PROBLEMS TENANTS SAY THEY FACE? New research from mortgage and loan providers Ocean Finance found more than half of tenants said they had experienced problems with a rented home in the last 12 months, which ranged from poor maintenance to breach of the tenancy agreement.

Some 35% of tenants said even though they had complained to the landlord or letting agent, the repair problem was not fixed. The biggest problem (for 15% of tenants) was the landlord’s failure to fix structural problems including a leaking roof, damp or rotten window frames.

Another 13% of tenants said they had suffered delays in their landlord repairing showers, washing machines

If your tenant complains of disrepair, act swiftly and inspect as soon as you can. If you have a maintenance agreement with the letting agent, keep close tabs on what they are doing and ensure they carry out the repairs and report back promptly. Don’t assume that just because the job is done, it’s the end of the matter. Follow through with an email to the tenant to make sure they are happy.

Keep all communications between you and the tenant and make a detailed note of any telephone conversation you have with them. Consider buying a property repairs management app like Fixflo to make life a little easier.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY TENANTS TRASH THE JOINT? The majority of landlords will have taken a deposit before the tenancy starts to cover the situation where the tenant leaves the premises in a less than pristine condition.

Remember to complete a detailed

check-in report and inventory list, before the tenancy starts, which is agreed and signed by both parties. Also take photographs showing the condition of the property. Most letting agents offer an inventory check-in service.

When the tenant moves out, carry out a comprehensive inventory checkout report which again is agreed and signed by both parties. If you intend to make deductions from the tenant’s deposit, you must follow the procedure as set out in your agreement, tenancy deposit scheme and relevant legislation.

GETTING LEGAL Unfortunately, despite your best endeavours, a tenant may dispute his obligation to cover the cost of the repair or refuse to pay. If the sums involved are less than the amount of deposit held, the cheapest solution is probably to use the arbitration service of the relevant tenancy deposit scheme.

However if the cost of the repairs is more serious, or alternatively your tenant is complaining that you have failed to carry out repairs, you may need to consider instructing a specialist solicitor to deal with the matter.

There is a special protocol for dealing with disrepair cases that parties need to follow before starting a court case. Your tenant’s solicitor will ask for copies of repair schedules and invoices, which is why it is so important to keep detailed records.

If the matter cannot be settled by negotiations, then you may need to issue a claim in the County Court against your tenant. Alternatively, the tenant could bring a claim brought against you for compensation and/or an order to get the\rks done.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? The Deregulation Act 2015 has introduced new provisions to try and tackle so called “retaliatory evictions”, which is where a landlord serves an eviction notice on a tenant who has complained of poor conditions in the property.

Under the new legislation, a landlord will not be able to issue an eviction notice if the tenant has made a written complaint to the landlord regarding the condition of the premises before the notice was issued, and the landlord has not responded or responded inadequately.

Alternatively, a landlord will be prevented serving a Section 21 notice within six months of receiving a notice from a local authority advising him that improvements or emergency remedial repairs are needed to their property.

The provisions will not apply when a property is genuinely on the market for sale or when the tenant has caused the disrepair. However, a landlord will not be able to try to circumvent the legislation by serving a section 21 notice at the beginning of the tenancy as he can at present.

For the first three years, the provisions will only apply to new assured shorthold tenancies granted on or after 1 October 2015 when this part of the legislation comes into force.

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Prices and details correct at the time of going to press. Readers are advised to make their own enquiries to verify such information.

Whilst every care has been taken in preparing these particulars, Knight Frank and the respective landlords/vendors give no warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein. These particulars are subject to errors, omissions, change of price/rental or other conditions, withdrawal without notice, and any special listing conditions imposed by our principals. Knight Frank will not be liable for negligence, or for any direct or indirect consequential losses or damages arising from the use of this information. You should satisfy yourself about the completeness or accuracy of any information or materials. The information contained herein does not form part of an offer or contract.