Why There’s Plenty Of Choice For House Hunters In The County
Martin Gibbon from Balgores Property Group discusses some new developments in Essex this year.
There is plenty of new house building going on in Essex, one of the leading areas in the country for new build homes construction. There’s certainly a big need for more housing in the county as more of the population are seeking a home in this dynamic corner of Britain.
For example, a report on the housing situation in Brentwood concludes that nearly 5500 properties will be required over the next 15 years to keep up with population growth. This figure is disputed by Brentwood Borough Council, who say it’s nearer 3500 homes. Either way, it’s clear that new housing stock can’t be built quick enough.
Here’s a selection of developments in Essex by some of the UK’s leading house builders.
Chelmsford: The Waterfront
The Waterfront is a development of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments being built by Taylor Wimpey. Likely to particularly appeal to those commuting or needing regular access to good road and rail links to London.
This development is expected to launch later this year. The Waterfront is an excellent location within England’s newest city, Chelmsford.
Witham: Maltings Park
Another Taylor Wimpey development, this time a range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes covering areas of the market from the first time buyer market up to the family and ‘executive’ householder.
Again, excellent transport links are a key attraction with main line rail services to London and the nearby A12 providing access to the M25 and M11 motorways. Maltings Park homes start at just £214,995.
Chelmsford: Marconi Evolution
A development of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 3 and 4 bedroom houses located on the site of the former Marconi electronics factory. This is a Bellway Homes development.
Very much targeted at the busy professional, there’s a gym and concierge service on site. Again, these will appeal especially to those who need quick and easy transport links by road and rail.
Chelmsford: Old Lodge Court
A brand new luxury property development, Old Lodge Court, on the site of Old Lodge Farm in the popular Beaulieu Park area of Chelmsford.
Properties are due to go on sale in the summer of 2015 and offers a more ‘off the beaten’ track option yet still with the proximity to a major town and the strong rail and road transport links.
Saffron Walden: Mandeville Place
A development of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom family homes from Countryside as part of their wide portfolio of housing developments in Essex. Transport links via the nearby M11 and proximity to major cities like Cambridge make the medieval town of Saffron Walden, in the north of the county, a convenient place to live.
Grays: Evolve
A development of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses from Barratt Homes who build extensively in the Essex and nearby areas. The accent is on energy efficiency with all properties fitted with solar panels, smart energy metering along with water saving features such as restricted flow taps and specially designed baths.
The Grays area is very close to London and thus major transport links, and nearby Thurrock is part of the Thames Gateway – an area due for huge regeneration.
Colchester: Nightingale Gardens
A Persimmon development of 3 bedroom detached and semi-detached houses in Stanway, just at the edge of Colchester to the west. There’s much housing construction in progress in and around Colchester; it makes for a convenient location with all the major town facilities available along with strong transport links such as rail with London less than an hour away and the nearby A12.
Other developments
There’s a wealth of new builds in progress throughout Essex from both major and smaller developers. A quick look at a map of development sites on a leading house builder’s website shows building work in progress or planned for most parts of Essex from Saffron Walden in the north to Tilbury in the south, and coastal towns such as Frinton to the east and areas such as Harlow to the west near the Hertfordshire border.
Choosing a New Build Property
Location is a prime consideration for any new house purchase decision of course. Along with excellent transport links accessible from the larger towns, there are many pleasant rural spots in Essex, such as the area around Saffron Walden and the area north of Great Dunmow, including the very picturesque village of Finchingfield.
Naturally the type, style and price of house is key and at present there’s much to choose from with new builds in Essex that meets many buyers’ requirements.
Of course, you do not have to get totally new for the new-build feel. In places such as Great Baddow, which has seen many new developments in the past decade, you can find excellent 6 bedroom homes at affordable prices. In areas such as this, you also get a great community, good schools, local shops and established pubs and restaurants.
Essex is one of the most dynamic property markets outside of London and is partly responsible for the success of the national property market, which is also fuelling growth in property investment trusts and also boosting buy-to-let investors and more established landlords.
