Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group is set to launch Hartley Acres, a new development located within the undulating landscapes of the High Weald in Cranbrook, Kent. Comprising a stunning collection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, Hartley Acres is set within an abundance of green space and blends modern living in a commutable location with all the benefits of a rural, community-focused village lifestyle.

Prospective buyers are invited to an exclusive launch event on Saturday 10th February 2024. Please register your interest by emailing enquiries@hartleyacres.co.uk or calling 01580 231556 to book your space and find out more information on the event.

New residents at Hartley Acres will move into a home with an enduring appeal in an idyllic and highly desired location. Designed with sustainability and the future in mind, all homes are energy-efficient and have been thoughtfully considered in terms of layout and specification. The homes have also been designed to be reflective of Kent’s historic architecture with a modern touch to blend in effortlessly with the beautiful surroundings. The colour palette used is inspired by the authentic architectural style of the county; for example, The Crane House is crafted in the style of Kent’s oast houses, which were once used for kiln-drying hops. These buildings are a key part of the region’s historical identity and brewing and agricultural past.

All properties include sleek and stylish integrated appliances as standard and range from two- to five-bedrooms. There is something to suit everyone at Hartley Acres, whether downsizers, second-steppers, families or young professionals.

The impressive development is positioned within open, green spaces and is in an ideal location to enjoy the quintessential Kentish countryside. Precious woodland spaces have been protected for residents to enjoy, with new wildflower meadows, ponds, an orchard and reconnected hedgerow corridors to enrich habitats and biodiversity. At the heart of Hartley Acres, there will be a village green where neighbours can come to meet and socialise.

Reflecting Kent’s status as the ‘Garden of England’, young families will love the extensive open space and rural surroundings at Hartley Acres.  Offering an idyllic and family-friendly lifestyle, Cranbrook is ideally situated within the catchment for several exemplary schools. Most schools are rated ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and range from pre-school and nursery to primary schools and secondary schools. There are also highly regarded sixth form colleges that help young students progress into successful careers.

In addition, Hartley Acres stands out as it will enable residents to discover a true work-life balance. The nearest train station, Staplehurst, is a short drive from the development and is convenient for direct connections to the city, as trains run to London Bridge in 50 minutes and Charing Cross in one hour. Living in this perfect position will allow prospective buyers to embrace the best of being both connected and set apart from the hustle and bustle. While access to the city during the week is simple, residents can relax in the tranquil countryside on the weekends.

Often referred to as the ‘capital of The Weald,’ Cranbrook is a highly sought-after village location that offers many amenities. A post office, bakery and farm shop are just a few of the conveniences only a short walk away, and an array of eateries where first-class food and drink can be enjoyed, complete the enviable lifestyle available here. There is also the Weald Sports Centre nearby, which has a range of exceptional sports and fitness facilities.

Cranbrook is a town that prioritises tradition and culture, which is evident from their recurrent events such as the Apple Fayre, which takes place each autumn, and the bi-annual Cranbrook Literature Festival, which celebrates the area’s literary history, complete with events and competitions for all booklovers involved.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at The Hill Group, comments: “It is a privilege to be able to enhance this already thriving community while reflecting Kent’s incredible history and architecture within our new collection of homes. This is a highly sought-after location where residents will enjoy quick connections to the city and the coast, as well as relaxing in the open green spaces of the countryside, and I look forward to seeing many others appreciate the benefits of living in this area.”

She continues: “These outstanding, energy-efficient homes are built to the highest specification and are ideal for those looking for a long-term place to settle themselves and establish their roots.”

Prices at Hartley Acres start from £429,950 for a two-bedroom, detached home. For more information, please visit www.hill.co.uk/hartley-acres, or please call 020 3906 1952 or email enquiries@hartleyacres.co.uk.

With cold weather closing in, it’s not surprising that people are concerned about the cost of living, and in particular, energy prices.

To help you avoid hefty energy bills this winter, we asked a variety of industry experts to reveal their top tips on how to retain heat in your apartment. From zero-cost switches to more long-term investments, these were the best pieces of advice.

Free and instant tweaks 

Don’t overheat your home

Jo Trotman, window and door designer at The Residence Collection, explains that to start with, you need to make sure your thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature:

“To save energy, you should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature. Turning your thermostat down by just one degree could help you save around £60 a year on your heating bill. Always wear an extra layer before you turn to the thermostat.”

Nick Duggan, managing director at The Radiator Centre, says between 18 and 21°C is a good temperature:

“The ideal temperature for a room is between 18-21C, every extra degree adds around 10% to the average heating bill, so it’s important to ensure your radiators are working as efficiently as possible.”

Bleed radiators

Nick Duggan explains that it’s important to make sure your radiators are running efficiently:

“Bleeding radiators at least once a year is a must to ensure they are operating efficiently. Over time, air will build up in radiators. This means that you will not be benefitting from the radiator’s full heat potential, which may mean you are tempted to turn the heating up or keep it on for longer, both of which will add to the cost.”

Clean your radiators

Perhaps surprisingly, radiators require regular cleaning, as Nancy Emery, heating expert at Tap Warehouse, outlines:

 “A quick and easy fix is to regularly clean your radiator to ensure it’s heating up as well as possible. Over time, they’re likely to become a little dirty and dusty which can affect the efficiency of the radiator, so it’s important to vacuum in and around your radiator once a week and brush the dirt from the inside. It’s always a good idea to also clean the outside of your radiator once a week with warm, soapy water and a sponge.”

Don’t block radiators

Jo Trotman stresses why you should avoid blocking radiators:

“Blocked radiators make it harder for warm air to circulate your home. Having space around your radiators could reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your space warm.”

Open your curtains in the daytime

Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV, illustrates how your curtains can be used to trap heat from the sun:

“Another simple yet effective strategy for retaining warmth in your home is to keep curtains open during the day and close them when it gets dark. During daylight hours, allowing sunlight to penetrate through the windows will help to utilise the natural heat from the sun. In the evening, closing the curtains creates an additional layer of insulation which helps to trap the warmth generated during the day and prevents it from escaping through the windows.”

Cover your walls

Oliver Creevy, co-founder of Insulation Advisor, explains how covering walls with furniture, or even decorative homewares, can prevent heat loss:

“Covering walls with items such as picture frames, mirrors, or bookcases serves a dual purpose of adding both style and thermal efficiency to the room. These objects add thermal mass, acting as insulators that prevent heat loss through walls and enhancing the thermal efficiency of a living space.”

Move your furniture

Debbie Leigh recommends repositioning your furniture so it’s not against an external wall:

“Think about the position of your furniture and if possible, arrange sofas and chairs away from your external walls as they are often the coolest and can make you feel cold.”

Put ceiling fans on reverse

Sophia Phillips, lifestyle expert at CouponBirds, shares a hack for anyone with ceiling fans:

“Although they’re not particularly common in the UK, if you do have any ceiling fans in your apartment, try putting them on reverse so the blades turn clockwise. This allows warm air that is trapped near the ceiling to circulate around the room.”

Close vents in unused rooms

Oliver Creevy shares a tip for anyone with a rarely-used space such as a spare room:

“It’s a good idea to close any vents in rooms that are not in use. This allows the airflow from the heating system to be directed more efficiently towards the occupied spaces, ensuring that the warmth is concentrated where it is needed most.”

Longer-term investments

Buy a humidifier

Sophia Phillips suggests buying a humidifier:

“Humid air keeps warm better than dry air. Buying a humidifier is a small expense but can save you a large amount of money. What’s more, humid air can prevent your skin from getting dryer and keep it in good condition.

“Mini humidifiers can be purchased for around £20. As a bonus, you could even add a couple of drops of essential oil to the water to fragrance the room.”

Install window film

Stephen Day, founder of iHeat outlines how window film can reduce heat loss:

“Window insulation film is a plastic film which can be applied to glass windows to reduce heat transfer. It’s a cost-effective way to improve the insulation of existing windows, especially in older properties.”

Use rugs to insulate floors

Shaun Starr, exergy expert at Love Energy Savings explains how to prevent heat loss through the floor:

“You may not be able to insulate the floor in your flat but adding rugs or carpet where possible could help to block draughts and keep your living space warm. Additionally, a runner in an entranceway, for example, can make the space more inviting.”

Invest in thermal-lined curtains

Debbie Leigh suggests installing thermal curtains:

“Good quality, lined curtains are worth the investment. They offer temperature control and privacy. Blackout and thermal-lined window dressing help to keep the room warm in winter by stopping unwanted cold air from seeping in. As an added bonus, they also keep the home cool in summer by totally blocking out unwanted light.”

Install heat-reflective wallpaper

Oliver Creevy recommends a special type of wallpaper:

“Heat-reflective wallpaper is a special type of wallpaper equipped with a reflective layer. When applied to exterior walls, this wallpaper reflects heat back into the room. This helps to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature inside the home while also serving as a decorative element.”

The benefits of an energy-efficient home

Yolanda Jacob, Sales & Marketing Director at Barratt London, explains how Barratt London homes are designed to retain heat and reduce your energy bills:

“Our new build homes in London are built with highly-efficient insulation and enhanced double-glazing as standard. This allows the heat in and keeps the cold out. This technology means there is less need to turn on the heating, and when you do switch it on, the heat remains inside your apartment.

“In fact, a Barratt London apartment could be up to 65% more energy efficient than an updated Victorian apartment. This could equate to a saving of up to £2,200 each year on your energy bills.”

Work is progressing well at a new Bovis Homes location in West Malling, with show homes due to open this spring.

Construction work at Pippins Place on the eastern edge of the Kent village started last year and the first homes were released for sale in the summer.

Two show homes are to open in the housebuilder’s four-bedroom Aspen and five-bedroom Birch house styles in February while the first new residents are expected to move into their completed homes in early Spring.

Candice McCabe, marketing manager for Bovis Homes, said: “The first homes are beginning to take shape at Pippins Place, and we are looking forward to opening a permanent sales office and show homes on site very soon.

“West Malling is highly sought-after among home-hunters because it is a charming village with a range of great restaurants, gastro pubs and boutique shops, and it is within easy reach of London.

“Pippins Place itself is just a 10-minute walk from the train station which has regular services into London taking less than an hour, so it’s the perfect location for commuters who work in the city but want to live away from the hustle and bustle.

“And there will be plenty to enjoy for those who come to live here as the development will include a country park, a children’s play area and an orchard. It will be a pleasure to come home to a property at Pippins Place.”

The development will be made up of 250 homes, which will include 150 three, four and five-bedroom properties for private sale and 100 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership. The affordable homes will range from one to four-bedroom properties.

The properties are being built on 44 acres of land to the south of the A20 London Road, with more than half the site providing green space, including a new country park.

A range of sustainability measures are planned for the scheme including solar panels and electric vehicle charging points at every house. There will also be measures to protect biodiversity including bird boxes and badger and hedgehog highways across the site.

Bovis Homes is part of Vistry Group, which also includes Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Pippins Place is a joint venture between Vistry Kent and Wates Developments.

Natalie Flint, residential investment director at Wates Developments, said: “We have worked with many Vistry regions over the years, with Pippins Place being the first joint venture with Vistry Kent.

“The development has been carefully designed to minimise its impact on the environment and deliver sustainable new homes which will become an integral part of the local community in West Malling.

“We are pleased to see that construction at Pippins Place is now well underway and look forward to seeing the first new homes taking shape.”

There’s currently a choice of three, four and five-bedroom Bovis Homes houses available to reserve at Pippins Place, with prices starting from £459,995. To find out more, visit bovishomes.co.uk.