Bellway Chamberlains Bridge is set to open the doors to two new showhomes at a development in Leighton Buzzard.

The developer is building 180 new homes at Chamberlains Bridge, off Vandyke Road, including a range of 145 two, three, four and five-bedroom houses for the private market and 35 affordable homes for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership.

Potential purchasers will be able to explore the four-bedroom Nene and three-bedroom Chandler house types, when they are unveiled on Saturday 25 February.

Aly Morehen, Sales Manager at Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “It is great to be able to throw open the doors to these two new showhomes at Chamberlains Bridge, which are the first completed properties at this development.

“Chamberlains Bridge has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the local housing market by offering a range of homes for buyers at various stages of the property ladder. There is a mix of two to five-bedroom properties being built here and the two showhomes are provided to help give visitors a real insight into how different houses may look and feel.

“The attractive three-bedroom Chandler would be ideal for a young family or couple needing a dedicated work space at home. It features a welcoming hallway leading onto the kitchen/dining room, with French doors into the back garden, while there is a separate living room bathed in light from a bay window to the front. Upstairs, the master bedroom has an en suite while the other two bedrooms share a family bathroom.

“Meanwhile, the luxurious Nene is an impressive detached property which has been designed to offer the flexible layout demanded by modern families. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms with en suite facilities, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

“Downstairs is where this home really ticks so many boxes. There is a large kitchen/breakfast/family room and a separate living room, both with French doors to the garden, plus a separate dining room and a study, making it ideal for those working from home or looking for more living space.”

Chamberlains Bridge is the third phase of the wider Chamberlains Barn neighbourhood, which is planned to bring a total of 950 new homes to the town. The scheme is also set to deliver a site for a lower school, a local centre and public open space including a country park, allotments, orchards and play areas.

Aly said: “Construction work at Chamberlains Bridge began on site in April 2022 and is progressing well. We launched this site from a sales cabin in November 2022 but hope to be in a position to open a brand-new sales complex on the development in the coming months.

“In the meantime, our expertly trained and dedicated sales team are ready and waiting at the site to welcome visitors, arrange viewings of the showhomes or answer any questions potential purchasers may have about the different homes available or the site itself.”

There’s currently a selection of three and four-bedroom new homes available to reserve at Chamberlains Bridge, with prices starting at £395,000 and £560,000 respectively.

For more information, call the sales team on 01525 574297 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/chamberlains-bridge.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

The larger homes at Bellway’s Castlegate development in Skelton are selling well as home-hunters looking to upsize opt for new-build properties to save on their energy bills.

Nearly half of the 51 homes reserved so far at Bellway Durham’s Castlegate site are four-bedroom detached houses, which offer substantial savings compared to older homes of a similar size.

In fact, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) 2022 ‘Watt a Save’ report says that owners of new-build houses would save on average £2,600 a year on their combined gas and electricity bills, based on prices from October 2022, compared with existing houses.

Hayley Teasdale, Sales Manager at Bellway Durham, said: “The recent rise in energy prices means that house-hunters are focusing their attentions on their future domestic fuel bills as a matter of huge importance.

“The HBF figures show that if a buyer purchases a new-build house from Bellway they would save an average of £220 a month on energy bills, compared to an older property of the same size.

“People looking for larger homes, who might previously have considered buying a period property, are now deciding that an energy-efficient new-build home is a much more attractive choice, and this is certainly a factor in the demand we’re seeing for four-bedroom homes at Castlegate.

“New technologies and modern construction techniques allow us to build homes which are more energy efficient and less expensive to run, which not only saves money but also helps save the planet. Buyers also benefit from the fact that Bellway new-build homes are fitted with modern appliances which run on less gas and electricity.”

Castlegate, off Bowland Road in Skelton, forms the second part of a wider scheme of 262 homes, with the first phase already completed by another housebuilder. Bellway is building a total of 140 new three and four-bedroom houses at the development.

Hayley said: “When customers move from an older property to a Bellway new build they often also save money on maintenance costs because they are now in a home that has been constructed to higher building standards.

“In addition to this, purchasers know they are buying a home from a highly reputable company because Bellway has retained its status with the HBF as a five-star builder for the sixth year in row. This rating was achieved after more than nine in ten customers said they would recommend Bellway to a friend.”

A choice of three and four-bedroom houses are currently available at Castlegate, with prices starting from £179,995 and £259,995 respectively.

For more information about the development, call 01287 236052 or visit  https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/durham/castlegate.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

The first residents have moved in at a new Bellway housing development in Sherfield on Loddon near Hook.

Bellway Wessex is building 150 new homes at Longfield Place on an 18-acre site off Reading Road.

The housebuilder is delivering a total of 90 new homes for private sale with 60 affordable properties for local people through rent or shared ownership.

Longfield Place will feature a collection of two, three and four-bedroom houses for private sale.

Kim Caldwell, Sales Director for Bellway Wessex, said: “Handing over the keys to our first residents is a very significant milestone in the continuing progress at Longfield Place. As people move in, the development is transforming from a construction site into a vibrant new neighbourhood.

“As buyers settle into their new homes, they are starting to meet their neighbours and beginning to build a real sense of community.”   

Longfield Place will feature a public open space, including footpaths, a kickabout area and a children’s play area. There will be 350 parking spaces on the site.

A four-bedroom Philosopher showhome has been opened on the development.

Kim said: “Prospective purchasers are taking full advantage of the opportunity to walk around the property to get a real feel of the high-quality specification and finish that comes as standard with a new Bellway home. The Philosopher showhome has been expertly dressed by our interior design team and paints a perfect picture of exactly how life could look in such a stylish property.

“We would encourage anyone who is interested in a new home at this development to come down and have a look. The rural setting, which has well-regarded schools and shops within easy reach is proving particularly popular with families.

“The fact that Basingstoke town centre is just four miles away also appeals to a wide range of buyers.”   

There’s currently a choice of three and four-bedroom homes available to reserve at Longfield Place, with prices starting at £439,995 and £564,995 respectively.

For more information about the new homes at the development, call the sales team on 01256 588216or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/wessex/longfield-place.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Online lettings platform lettingaproperty.com has called on tenants and landlords to focus on the value of open communication in the current economic climate. 89% of adults in Great Britain reported that their living costs rose in August 2022, according to government research, with tenants and landlords alike impacted by spiralling food, energy and other prices. Shawbrook Bank, meanwhile, reports that 85% of renters have made changes so that they can cope with the increasing cost of living.

Renters worrying about paying their bills or their rent can feel reluctant to raise their voices, but the team at lettingaproperty.com are encouraging them to do just that.

“Communication is key when it comes to finding solutions to economic hardship. By opening-up dialogue, preferably early in the process, tenants and landlords can work together to find the best way forward.” Jonathan Daines, Founder and CEO, lettingaproperty.com

The lettingaproperty.com team has long advocated the value of communication. During the pandemic, they encouraged tenants and landlords to talk, helping to reduce fear and misunderstanding by promoting open, honest dialogue. The team facilitated conversations while leaving landlords and tenants in control. They also offered support by facilitating payment plans during the Covid crisis, with around 30 of the company’s 1,500 landlords putting these in place to avoid their tenants going into default.

“There is much that we can learn from the pandemic and apply to supporting both tenants and landlords under current economic conditions. Recognising the value of speaking out is the first step in working together to solve issues before they escalate. Tenants who raise worries about finances or talk to their landlords about how to cut energy use may find unexpected solutions to their concerns. It’s definitely good to talk.”

Jonathan Daines, Founder and CEO, lettingaproperty.com

lettingaproperty.com is currently in the process of launching a new rental platform, which will facilitate further communication between tenants and landlords. With 64% of respondents saying a global recession is “somewhat likely” in 2023 and that the outlook for the global economy has “darkened”, according to the World Economic Forum, communicating and working together to find solutions will likely become increasingly important over the months ahead.

For more information, please visit www.lettingaproperty.com or call 0333 577 8888.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

The first homes have gone on sale at a new Bellway housing development in Saffron Walden.

Bellway Essex is building 150 new homes at Poppy View, off Thaxted Road. The site will feature 90 properties for private sale and 60 affordable homes for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership.

The private homes will feature a range of two, three and four-bedroom houses, while the affordable homes will include a mix of house sizes as well as four apartments and four bungalows.

Bellway opened the doors to a sales office at Poppy View on 24 September as it welcomed house-hunters to the development for the first time.

Jenny Walker, Sales Director at Bellway Essex, said: “Saffron Walden is a much sought-after location and Poppy View has already attracted a high level of interest from potential purchasers. On the launch day our sales staff were inundated with questions from would-be buyers keen to find out more about the selection of homes available.

“The development will include a wide range of houses to meet the varying demands of buyers at different stages of the property ladder, as well as much-needed affordable homes for local people.

“The initial phase of properties includes houses of all sizes to cater for different requirements and budgets. We have two-bedroom homes from £402,995, three-bedroom properties starting at £499,995 and the bigger four-bedroom houses from £604,995.”

Poppy View is to feature landscaped public open spaces and a children’s playground. Bellway Essex will plant 190 new trees and a swathe of native hedgerow to create a green edge nearly 1km long at the development. 

Jenny said: “The opening of our sales office on site gives house-buyers the opportunity to see with their own eyes the exact layout of the development and how it sits within the locality.  Poppy View has been carefully designed to complement its countryside surroundings and we believe it will be attractive to first-time buyers, and growing families.

“The development is also proving popular with commuters due to its close proximity to Audley End railway station and direct services to Cambridge and London.”

There’s currently a selection of two, three and four-bedroom homes available to reserve, with prices starting at £402,995.

For more information about the new homes at Poppy View, call the sales team on 01799 282314 or visit bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/poppy-view.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

A new residential development named after a war hero who fell in Ryhope is beginning to take shape, with the first homes now on sale, Bellways’ Barton Meadows.

Bellway is building 60 new homes at Barton Meadows, named in honour of RAF pilot Cyril Barton VC. The Flying Officer died after crash-landing his Halifax bomber in a field in Ryhope, avoiding houses and pit-head workings, following an overnight air raid on Germany in 1944.

Construction work began at the site to the north of Burdon Lane earlier this year, after plans were approved by Sunderland City Council.

The development will include 54 three and four-bedroom houses for private sale, alongside six affordable homes available for local people through rent or at a discount to market value.

The first homes are being sold from Bellway’s Hartwell Park development in Hartlepool, with a sales office planned to open atBartonMeadowsin November.

Hayley Teasdale, Sales Manager for Bellway Durham, said: “We have already seen a great deal of interest in Barton Meadows, especially as the story of Cyril Barton is quite rightly the stuff of local legend, and we’ve also had really positive feedback about the new properties we’re providing.

“As a housebuilder based in the North East, we are part of the communities in which we build new homes and our extensive knowledge of the area means we can respond to the local need for housing.

“People buying a new home here in Ryhope will be joining a thriving community, which benefits from well-regarded schools and local amenities, making this a popular place for families to put down roots.

“Parents like the fact that St Paul’s CE Primary School, which was judged outstanding by Ofsted in its most recent inspection, is a short walk from the site, while there’s a further choice of schools for children of all ages within a mile of the development.

“There are also sports clubs close by, including Ryhope CW Football Club, Ryhope Cricket Club and Sunderland RCA Football Club, which all add to the rich community life of the village.”

There’s currently a choice of three and four-bedroom houses available to reserve at Barton Meadows, with prices starting from £214,995.

For more information about the development, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/durham/barton-meadows.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Housebuilder Pro is a cloud-based software application created by software development experts Shoothill with invaluable design input from Shropshire-based house builders Shingler Homes.

In April, the average cost of a home reached a record of £286,079. However, with rising interest rates and
outrageously fast increases to the cost of living, could house prices have peaked?

On Thursday last week, the Bank of England raised interest rates to 1% from 0.75% to try and fight off increasing inflation, the rate in which is forecast to surpass 10% this year – the highest level since 1982. With our daily lives becoming more and more expensive, this seemingly unstoppable house price growth month on month must come to an end eventually, so at the very least, we should expect a significant slowdown at some point, if not a decline.

Repositioning yourself for this is key as a salesperson in the new home construction industry – as selling homes will become increasingly more challenging, and for first time buyers, increasingly confusing; Will monthly mortgage payments increase? Will deposits need to be higher? Will house prices decrease? These questions are going to be at the forefront of the minds of a new home buyer, which in turn may
encourage you to rethink your sales strategy. Here are some ways you might go about doing this.

Offer a wider range of financing options.

With rising interest rates, the cost of borrowing will only increase. The word ‘mortgage’ may be enough to terrify first time buyers, so encouraging larger deposits is key. Offering a wide variety of mortgages can help those that may find saving the hardest and help find a solution that can work for them. ‘Green Mortgages’ are new options that offer buyers of energy-efficient homes more favourable terms, ideal for many new home sellers. Learn more about green mortgages here.


Implement educational content into your marketing strategy.

Changing your marketing strategy in a way that will help buyers achieve their financial goals might prove to be mutually beneficial. Offer them tips and actions they can take to save more for that deposit. Not only are you helping them achieve their goals, but you are helping them achieve your goals too. A great example of educational blog formats that help achieve this include ‘top 5s’. Short, punchy content resonates well with a younger audience, the first time buyer demographic.


Communicate the financial benefits of new-build homes over traditional homes. Ryan Lloyd, Digital Marketing Specialist, Housebuilder Pro

With the cost of living so high mainly thanks to the war in Ukraine, utility bills will be one of the major concerns for prospective buyers. New homes have many benefits over traditional homes that help keep these costs low. Communicate these benefits as much as possible as part of your sales and marketing efforts. New homes offer increased energy efficiency benefits as they are built to much higher standard and need to adhere to modern regulations. On average, new build homes are far cheaper to run for this reason alone.

The best thing sales teams can do in times where buyers might be more hesitant than usual is to be as transparent as possible and be as efficient as possible in managing enquiries, so no questions are left unanswered. The sales process doesn’t need to feel like you’re juggling a hundred tennis balls. See how Housebuilder Pro helps sales teams here.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Bellway is preparing to start construction on 181 new homes in the Stoke suburb of Meir, after detailed plans were approved by the local authority.

The development, to be known as The Crescent, is one half of a joint 350-home project with another developer on land to the west of Caverswall Lane.

Bellway’s detailed plans were given the go-ahead by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in late 2021.

The Crescent will occupy two land parcels within the wider site and provide a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, with the first homes expected to be released for sale in August 2022.

As part of the planning agreement, the developers will contribute almost £2.6 million towards essential services in the local area.

Marie Richards, Sales Director for Bellway West Midlands, said: “With our detailed plans for The Crescent approved by Stoke-on-Trent Council, we are now looking forward to seeing the site take shape as building work starts on the first homes.

“The Crescent will deliver much-needed new housing to Meir, as well as significant financial investment into the area, with the wider development including £2.5 million towards local education through the planning agreement.

“This makes The Crescent a positive addition to Stoke that will improve services and facilities for the local community, while also helping to meet the high demand for new homes.

“Construction work at The Crescent should take approximately four years to complete but we are already planning to launch the development in August of this year when the first homes will be released for sale.

“Due to its desirable location near the Staffordshire Moorlands, with great local amenities and excellent transport connections, we are expecting high levels of interest in these homes from families, first-time buyers and commuters.”

For more information about The Crescent or Bellway, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/the-crescent or call 01827 255755.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Well-connected, affordable homes are now on offer at Collingtree Park as Latimer launches its new collection of high-quality shared ownership homes. Surrounded by parks and green space, Collingtree Park is an exciting new village development on the outskirts of Northampton. It is growing into a vibrant community with a wide range of new amenities for the people who live there.

Latimer, part of the Clarion Housing Group, has recently launched its first two, three and four bedroom homes, that are carefully designed to suit a mix of residents from first time buyers to growing families. As the only shared ownership homes available at Collingtree Park, they offer a more accessible route into home ownership as buyers need as little as a 5% deposit and prices currently start from just £89,250 for a 35% share on a two bedroom home and £105,000 for a 35% share on a three bedroom home.

Conveniently located for the M1 and Northampton’s bustling town centre, Collingtree Park retains a peaceful feel with its location next to the green expanses of the golf course. As the new neighbourhood develops, alongside high-quality homes, there will be a new primary school, shops, business space and sports facilities to bring people together and create a practical and friendly place to live.

Richard Cook, Group Director of Development at the Clarion Housing Group, comments: “Collingtree Park is becoming established as one of the best locations in Northampton offering that sought after combination of convenience and good connections, with both urban and rural living on the doorstep. We are delighted to launch the first shared ownership homes at Collingtree Park giving buyers a more affordable opportunity to get onto the property ladder. Working with our partners, we are committed to delivering our long-term vision for Collingtree Park to create an attractive and sustainable place to live with excellent amenities, well-designed homes and plenty of green spaces, providing the foundation for a strong community to grow. We anticipate high levels of demand for the new homes so anyone that is interested should register now for the latest information.”

The range of two, three and four-bedroom houses are designed to offer spacious accommodation and a superior level of specification guaranteeing comfortable living. Set in a series of quiet residential streets, The Ash is a two-bedroom semi-detached or terraced home, and The Willow is the three-bedroom detached, semi-detached or terraced house type. Both The Ash and The Willow have a flexible living / dining space and a separate kitchen, while The Chestnut, the four-bedroom layout, has an airy open-plan living and kitchen space with dual aspect windows to maximise natural light.

Each home comes complete with a comprehensive range of fixtures and fittings with carefully considered detail in every aspect of the design and finish. Kitchens include individually designed contemporary units with stylish worktops and upstands, as well as a range of integrated, energy efficient appliances. Sleek bathrooms incorporate contemporary sanitaryware, wet room showers and full height tiling. Kitchens and bathrooms feature Porcelanosa floor tiles, with quality carpets fitted elsewhere. Moving outside, each home has an enclosed, turfed rear garden and two car parking spaces.

Collingtree Park from Latimer, will be green in both senses of the word, embracing nature and caring for the environment. Not only are the homes set in leafy surroundings with surrounding fields, mature trees and parkland, but also Latimer builds its homes to the highest levels of sustainability, so they will be energy efficient, low carbon and cost-effective to run and to heat.

Convenience is high on the agenda at Collingtree Park with its easy access to junction 15 of the M1 and just five miles from the centre of Northampton. The thriving town centre has a popular market, range of high street shops, cafes and leisure attractions such as the Royal & Derngate arts venue. And plans for ongoing investment into the shopping areas, parking and transport will ensure the town’s future fortunes. Excellent rail links from Northampton station make it a popular location for commuters – the journey time into London Euston is under an hour and there are also direct connections to Milton Keynes, Birmingham and beyond.

Prices at for the shared ownership homes currently available at Collingtree Park currently start from £89,250 for a 35% share of a home with a full market value of £255,000.

For further information and to register interest in the launch visit: https://www.latimerhomes.com/new-build-homes/northamptonshire/northampton/collingtree-park or call tel: 0300 100 0309.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

With the number of first-time buyers doubling in the past year according to Barclays, it’s timely that Latimer Homes is preparing to launch The Bowery in West Ealing. Launching on Saturday 21^st May and recently regenerated, pocket of west London. Prices for a one-bedroom apartment start from £138,900 for a 30% share and require a £6,945 deposit whilst prices for a two-bedroom apartment start from £129,500 for a 25% share and require a £6,475 deposit. Offering a brilliant combination of attractive green spaces, vibrant bars and restaurants, and excellent transport connections, The Bowery is the ideal option for first-time buyers.

Buyers who choose to make The Bowery their home will be well placed to enjoy the benefits of Ealing’s programme of regeneration, at a time when local areas are so important to our everyday lives.  Krete Luca, Sales Director at Latimer, part of the Clarion Housing Group, comments: “For those eager to find an affordable home with a London postcode, The Bowery is great contender.  The combination of regeneration prospects, which include the arrival of Crossrail, and new affordable homes place this development firmly on the first-time buyer map. Everything’s in place for establishing a new community at The Bowery and the new apartments are finished to the impeccable standard Latimer Homes has become known for. The development’s location truly offers the best of both worlds within the area, placing residents on the doorstep of a range of amenities as well as stunning green spaces.  This is a great time to move to West Ealing and be part of a vibrant neighbourhood.”

Residents at The Bowery will be ideally positioned for weekend shopping trips, with several high streets close by.  Just a five minutes’ walk away is Ealing Broadway’s variety of high street grocery shops and fashion retailers. Northfields High Street, which features a range of independent interior and coffee shops, is also a short walk from the development and home to Northfields’ tube station.  However, what really sets The Bowery apart is its proximity to wonderful green spaces.  With 3,300 acres of green space, Ealing is one of London’s greenest boroughs and The Bowery is perfectly positioned to reap the health and well-being benefits this provides.  The development faces onto a charming allotment and is just a 10-minute walk from Walpole Park, the Grade II Listed jewel in Ealing’s crown, boasting a beautiful ornamental lake as well as Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery. A little further afield lies Lammas Park, a 25-acre open green space with a variety of sports facilities.

The Bowery features landscaped gardens and a range of community facilities including a car club and potential space for meetings and events. All apartments enjoy access to private outdoor space via a balcony or juliet balcony, and feature high-specification fixtures and fittings throughout, including contemporary kitchen and bathroom units.

For connections further afield, home-movers to The Bowery can also enjoy the benefits of the long-awaited Crossrail service, which is scheduled to start running from Ealing Broadway Station in summer 2022. The new service will be transformative for the area, putting a range of locations across the capital within easy reach of Ealing Broadway, including Bond Street in just 11-minutes and Canary Wharf in 25-minutes.  Existing commuter links are also excellent, with West Ealing train station situated a 10- minute walk from the development, taking buyers to London Paddington in just 13-minutes.

Prices for a one-bedroom apartment at The Bowery start from £138,900 for a 30% share of the full market value of £463,000. Prices for a two-bedroom apartment at The Bowery start from £129,500 for a 25% share of the full market value of £518,000. For further information please contact: 0300 100 0309 or Shared.Ownership@myclarionhousing.com

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News