To meet the lack of later-living homes, the Sonning Common scheme will provide 133 ‘state-of-the-art’ age-appropriate properties, as well as communal facilities open to residents and the local community. These will include a restaurant, cafe, hairdressers, cinema, library and craft rooms, as well as a wellness centre comprising a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, two treatment rooms and a gym with a fitness studio.
The operator says by creating vibrating communities carefully designed for the needs of older people and focused on promoting an active lifestyle, it can improve the holistic wellbeing of the over 65s and support them in living healthier, independent lives for longer.
Inspired Villages’ research reveals that the scheme will free up local family housing and will also provide ‘significant’ benefits for the local area’s health and social care system, including savings to NHS and social care budgets and reduced GP visits.
The development will also further benefit the local area by creating over 100 construction jobs, and in excess of 40 operational jobs for the local economy once complete.
Phil Bayliss, chief executive officer of Later Living at Legal & General and Chairman of Inspired Villages, comments: “As we have seen over the last 15 months, isolation and loneliness have become one of the most common issues faced by over 65s in the UK. Within the later living sector, we are now seeing increased demand for appropriate housing that meets the needs of retirees both physically and mentally.”
“As lockdown starts to lift, it’s a pivotal time for retirees reconsidering how they’d like to spend what can be the best years of their lives and this latest planning permission is a welcomed step forward in our ability to accelerate the growth of a new generation of purpose-built housing, bringing them to communities across the UK.”
‘Multi-generational living’ scheme coming to the Midlands with Lovell Homes
National housebuilder Lovell Homes has launched its latest Midlands development located off Engleton Lane, Brewood.
Named Somerford Park, the scheme will create a collection of two, three and four-bedroom homes that have been designed with a variety of family living arrangements in mind, including a brand-new house type unique to the development.
Each model comes with a unique design that takes inspiration from the surrounding area, incorporating elements from Georgian, Victorian and Tudor architecture.
The four-bed Windsor includes a double garage and an annex with its own bathroom, making it suitable for families with members who would need a separate, more independent living area or an ideal home office space.
Similarly, the three-bed Newbury is a Dormer bungalow, which features one bedroom and a bathroom to the ground floor along with all the usual ground floor living spaces, plus a further two bedrooms and a family bathroom to the first floor.
Stuart Penn, regional managing director for Lovell, says: “We know that every family unit is different, and it’s important that housing provision reflects that too. Somerford Park’s homes have been designed with this in mind, and we’re really pleased to be bringing forward a brand-new house type with an over-garage annex – the Windsor – to help support different living arrangements.”
“This annex space is ideal for families with older children or grandparents who need their own independent space within the home, or for those who wish to provide a more separate area for guests when they come to stay.”
Located close to Cannock Chase Forest and Chasewater Country Park, the development is a stone’s throw away from ‘beautiful’ countryside space for walks, cycling and outdoor activities for the whole family.
Brewood boasts ‘excellent’ transport links, affording quick and easy access to several motorway routes connecting it to the wider Midlands and beyond. Plus, with several shopping centres less than ten miles away, and a number of retail parks located on the edge of the town, residents will find themselves spoiled for choice when shopping.
The brand-new development brings 43 high-quality homes for open market sale, as well as a further 30 homes for shared ownership, and incorporates green community spaces. The homes also all include integrated appliances, contemporary finishes, French doors leading onto the garden, open-plan spaces, and a cloakroom to the ground floor.
To officially launch the development, Lovell Homes has teamed up with YouTube home influencers Elliot and Matt, who were given exclusive access to the show home which is now available to view on demand.
Interest in Somerford Park has already been strong thanks to its desirable Staffordshire location and excellent transport links, providing access to major transport links such as the M6, M54 and M6 Toll. Current released homes start from £255,600 for two-bed properties, from £324,950 for three-bed properties, and from £412,950 for four-bed properties.
Site visits and show home tours must be booked in advance with visitors adhering to Covid-19 guidelines, including the use of face masks, limited numbers, and social distancing.
For further information on the development or to book an appointment, you can enquire via the website or call 01902 283 405.
Hamptons rebrands Lanes New Homes in line with new services
Having been part of Hamptons for the last several years, Lanes New Homes adopted the Hamptons name and branding in its entirety from July 5 2021.
The Residential Development teams will remain and will be joined by new Residential Sales and Lettings teams in Hertford and Enfield.
The Hertford teams will relocate to a new premises right in the heart of the town centre later this year.
With Sales, Lettings and New Homes now in Enfield and soon to be in Hertford, Hamptons has considerably expanded its footprint in North London and beyond. With its 90-plus branch network, including 40 across London, branches in Whetstone, Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Enfield now connect with the outer north fringes in Stanmore, St. Albans, Wheathampstead, Harpenden and soon to be Hertford, strengthening Hamptons reach and ability to help more clients.
Lesley Cairns, managing director at Hamptons, comments: “The rebrand of Lanes New Homes and the expansion of Sales and Lettings teams into both Enfield and Hertford marks an exciting step for Hamptons.”
“Now, not only will our established New Homes division be able to continue servicing our developer clients and assist buyers who are looking for a new home, but we will also be able to offer potential homeowners access to a newly formed and highly experienced sales and lettings team. This fully integrated service is currently unrivalled in the local area.”
Sue Fisher, head of Hamptons residential development, Greater London, adds: "As Lanes New Homes, we have represented both medium and national housebuilders for many years and have successfully marketed their developments through our unrivalled knowledge of North London and Hertfordshire. Although our name is changing, our commitment to our clients and developers is not. We look forward to nurturing our established relationships and forming new ones going forward.”
“By integrating into Hamptons’ 90+ branch network, including 40 across London, we will be able to bring a far greater number of buyers to the developments we are selling. In fact, in 2020, 53% of all Residential Development sales came from Hamptons’ branch network. With this track record and our brilliant existing team, we will undoubtedly be able to continue offering our developers the very best results and an unrivalled client experience."
Prime resi site for nine executive homes in Nottingham comes to market
A site of 1.5 acres fronting Melton Road in Edwalton, which has an outline planning consent for nine large houses, is set to go on the market with FHP Property Consultants.
David Hargreaves joint founder of FHP who is handling the sale, comments: “Many people will know this site as ‘the Xmas tree site’ on Melton Road, as many have bought their Christmas trees from the site over the years.”
In addition to the 0.9-acre field, there is a four-bed bungalow which sits on a further 0.6-acre site.
Jules Hunt of FHP Living said: “The site has outline planning consent for nine executive homes of 2,500 sq. ft, which, with sales prices of up to £450 per sq. ft in the area, should attract prices of £1million to £1.2million each. Adjacent to the site, FHP Living have sold four properties for £1million each.”
The site sits across the road from the site where Guy Phoenix developed two ultra-luxury homes at prices of £4 million and £7 million.
Hargreaves confirmed that offers in the region of £3 million are required for the site, with very strong early interest.
Although the planning consent is for nine houses, the site could suit three very large homes, an apartment scheme, or a care home or ‘later living’ development.
Investors – the benefits of adding a waterside apartment to your portfolio
For investors looking to add another property to their portfolio this year, Monk Estates and Harmony Bridge Ltd, are offering an exclusive incentive to those looking to reserve a waterfront apartment by the end of July.
The developers behind The Waterside Apartments in Nottingham are offering buyers who reserve a property by the end of July and complete before the end of September the chance to have their full stamp duty tax paid in full.
The stamp duty holiday was introduced by the Chancellor in 2020 to give the property market a boost. After extending the deadline, it has ended in June 2021 for properties up to the value of £500,000.
If investors proceed with sales at The Waterside they would not be able to benefit from the normal stamp duty holiday due to the time taken to complete a sale, therefore the developers have announced that if buyers reserve by the end of July then stamp duty will be paid in full for anyone to complete by end of September.
This will not include the 3% premium for being an investor, but property investors looking to secure a quick sale with no chain can take advantage of the stamp duty offer – and invest in a ‘modern, sleek’ city apartment with views across the River Trent.
Situated on Pavilion Road, with vistas across West Bridgford, Nottingham city and the river, the 121-home Waterside Apartments boast a central location, close proximity to independent shops, bars and restaurants, and is within walking distance of the city centre with its historic spots such as Nottingham Castle, the Lace Market and Old Market Square.
Sam Monk, director at Monk Estates, comments: “Investors looking to purchase their next property can benefit from diversifying their portfolio with the addition of an apartment – they are a reliable investment, holding value and maintaining appeal to residents looking for both short and long-term lets.
“Apartments in a great location, with waterside views surrounded by convenient and desirable amenities and attractions, will likely increase in value too, making them an excellent investment for the long term.”
He adds: “Appealing to a wide demographic including young professionals, couples, students and commuters wishing to benefit from the lifestyle that living in an apartment affords them, it will be easy to secure both short and long-term letting arrangements with tenants looking to move into a centrally located home.”
Monk says over recent years, Nottingham has seen an influx in people relocating from major cities, including London. This shift has only increased following lockdown, as many are keen to leave the capital and its high overhead prices behind, looking for cheaper desirable locations, as the trend towards remote and flexible working continues.
“Many local experts including the chief executive of Invest in Nottingham put the influx of people from the capital down to the city’s attractive affordable house prices and lower cost of living, solidifying Nottingham on the map as a desirable place to invest in property, offering quality living spaces for those looking to rent,” he notes.
“Apartments are also lower maintenance compared with a traditional house, so landlords have less worry when it comes to the upkeep and preservation of their property. The Waterside Apartments offers investors a unique opportunity to purchase waterfront apartments that hold tremendous appeal to tenants – stunning views and close proximity to Nottingham’s landmarks, amenities and major employers make it a highly attractive place to live.”
“Anyone looking to invest in an apartment here can take advantage of having their stamp duty paid in full, if they reserve a property by the end of July.”
Fourteen two-bed apartments remain available to purchase, priced from £285,000 to £395,000. Visitors are welcome to view the three-bed show penthouse – complete with a panoramic roof terrace overlooking the River Trent, open-plan island kitchen and bathroom with floor to ceiling windows.
All homes have been finished to the finest quality using high specification fixtures and fittings, with onsite parking and vibrant communal spaces including a reception concierge.
The £365,000 two-bedroom show apartment is available to view, and all appointments can be booked with selling agent FHP Living.
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