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UK Development Reviews

Fox Hollow, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

Number of properties: 13

Developer: Michael Shanly Homes

Price Range: £499,950 - £520,000

Description: A compact development of 13 four-bedroom family homes in the commuter town of Walton-on-Thames in Surrey. The plot is close to the newly-redeveloped town centre and is perfect for commuters as it offers direct service to London Waterloo in 30 minutes. The location also offers a short step into the countryside and is close to the River Thames. Environmental concerns are high on the agenda here, with water butts and water-saving WCs for each property, solar communal lighting and sustainable materials where possible. The property styles are traditional and will fit in with the local area and, unusually for modern homes, feature a large front garden.

Website: Simple and clean system of showing developments, with identical template for each project. Site plans, up-to-date availability, detailed specification and images of the show home are well-used. Some details missing, such as location maps and access and there is a lack of exterior images of the properties or site.

Brochure: Downloadable from the website, the brochure gives enhanced details on the individual properties, with good floor plans and exterior images of the property types. The brochure also sets out the developer’s building and environmental pedigree

Environmental Credentials: Clearly set out in the brochure but absent from the website, this development uses materials from sustainable sources, energy-saving techniques, renewable energy sources and even installs bird boxes to encourage wildlife.

The Wintles

Location: Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire

Number of properties: 40, in three phases

Developer: Living Villages

Price Range: £305,000 - £585,000

Description: This unique development will be a perfect project for those looking for a true eco-home. The Wintles offers eco-living at the cutting edge. While other projects are designed and then given something of a green treatment where possible, The Wintles is designed around natural and environmentally-friendly ideas, from the property designs to the layout of the site and how the properties interact with each other. From two-bedroom houses to huge six-bedroom properties, the homes employ natural materials combined with the latest technology to save, and recycle energy throughout. All properties have solar panels and are south-facing to maximize natural light and heat. The development itself is based around a village green to encourage residents to congregate, while the location on the outskirts of Bishop’s Castle gives access to a historic town full of shops and cafes.

Website: The website deals more with the concept of Living Villages and the philosophy of the developers than the specific project. Site plans provide information on completed and currently under construction houses, but there is a lack of individual floor plans

Brochure: Again, a general brochure on the concept of eco-living with this developer, rather than a sales tool for this project. It does a good job of explaining the energy-saving aspects of the development and the lifestyle choice that buying on the development involves.

Environmental Credentials: Possibly the most advanced development in the country in terms of making an environmentally-friendly development work in a modern context. Energy saving, using renewable energy, saving water and making the most of the environmental resources around the site are paramount to the success of the project. Electricity bills are currently as low as £3 per month.

The Bridge

Location: Dartford, Kent

Number of properties: 1,134

Developer: George Wimpey Homes

Price Range: £175,000 - £325,000

Description: Using the derelict site of a former hospital just outside the town centre of Dartford the developer, in conjunction with designers Wayne and Geraldine Hemingway, is building one of the biggest mixed-use regeneration projects to be seen in the region. The properties will include open spaces, unrivalled transport links and a location on the banks of the River Thames. ‘Homezone’ principles, borrowed from the Dutch housing industry, will promote the increased use of communal spaces. The properties themselves, a mixture of houses and apartments from one to four bedrooms, are built in the popular ‘townhouse’ style to allow a smaller footprint. The urban/industrial style will minimise the difference between the commercial and residential parts of the development.

Website: Almost as big as the project itself, the website for The Bridge features interactive site plans, a live webcam feed on the site, downloadable brochures and a blog from Wayne Hemingway himself. While it is somewhat cumbersome and at times slow to load, most of the information you need is available here.

Brochure: Without one definitive brochure for the project as a whole, the focus of the brochures is on the individual property types and their floor plans. Helpfully provided with measurements, these are clear and concise.

Environmental Credentials: A project of this size is bound to have an impact on the environment, but steps are being taken to make sure that this impact is minimised in any way it can be. Victorian pathways down to the riverside are being uncovered for access to the Thames Path, while a nature reserve and two lakes are being created.

Bourne Meadows

Location: Kirdford, West Sussex

Number of properties: 14 in phase one

Developer: Rydon Homes

Price Range: £315,000 - £750,000

Description: Hidden away deep in the West Sussex countryside, this new development of family homes in the historic village of Kirdford is perfect for families that are growing either in number or in stature and need more space in which to expand. The selection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses are arranged around a ‘village green’ for residents in the seclusion of their own private road. The focus is on living and family time, with the larger houses having family rooms and all of the properties have extensive gardens. Kirdford has period architecture and historic buildings, and is close to Petwoth and Billingshurst, linking directly to London.

Website: Measurements and floor plans are clear and well laid-out on the website, while there are extensive specification details of the final finishes of the properties. The site plan is well-presented for clarity and there is even a rundown of the environmental features of the project.

Brochure: At some 38 pages, this could be described as a slightly excessive use of marketing materials, but there are not too many superfluous pages. Floor plans and external views of the properties make it easy to see what you are buying and how the development should shape up.

Environmental Credentials: The website and brochure both make a point of the natural location of the development, and how they intend to fit in with it as much as possible. However, a ‘wildlife corridor’ and the installation of energy-efficient appliances seem to be the biggest concessions to the environment, while there are water recycling facilities in the kitchens to encourage owner to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles.

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Page 1: Fox Hollow, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

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