The first residents have now moved into their homes at a new housing development in Corfe Mullen.
Bellway Wessex is delivering 78 new homes at the Windgreen Gardens site, off Wimborne Road.
Launched in October 2020, the development will comprise 58 properties for private sale and 20 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.
The homes are part of the Artisan Collection, Bellway’s flagship range of house types which combine traditional craftmanship and architectural flair.
Kim Caldwell, Sales Director for Bellway Wessex, said: “Corfe Mullen boasts a wealth of amenities and good transport links, making it a highly desirable area for Dorset housebuyers. Our Windgreen Gardens development will make a significant contribution towards meeting the demand for new homes in the area.
“Interest in the development remains high following the launch last autumn and construction work is progressing well, with the first homes now completed and occupied.”
As part of the planning agreement for the development, Bellway will provide £200,000 for open space and recreation improvements, as well as a further £250,000 to maintain the on-site natural green spaces.
Windgreen Gardens features a range of two, three and four-bedroom properties for sale, with viewings of the three-bedroom showhome available by appointment only.
Kim said: “The development’s unique location is ideal for families, with the site being situated next to both Lockyer’s Middle School and Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground.
“Commuters will also appreciate the good transport links, with easy access to the A31 for Dorchester to the west and Wimborne to the east, as well as connections to the M27 and M3.”
A selection of two and three-bedroom houses are currently available, with prices starting from £298,995.
For more information about Windgreen Gardens and to take a virtual tour of available properties, visit bellway.co.uk. The sales team can be contacted on 01202 983978.
The first residents have now moved into their new homes at a housing development in Plasdŵr.
Bellway Wales is delivering 120 new homes at Rhiwlas at Plasdŵr, off Llantrisant Road, as part of a wider 630-home neighbourhood situated north-west of Cardiff.
The first homes were released for sale at the development in August 2020 and will comprise two, three and four-bedroom properties in a mix of traditional, classic and contemporary styles.
The housebuilder also opened two showhomes, a three-bedroom Shipton and four-bedroom Wilbury, earlier this year for prospective buyers to view.
The overall development at Plasdŵr, described as a 21st century garden city, will span 900 acres and eventually deliver 7,000 new homes, alongside new schools, shops, commercial offices and 400 acres of green space for parks and woodland areas.
Daniel Shone, Sales Manager of Bellway Wales, said: “It has been great to welcome the first residents into their new homes and we are looking forward to seeing more residents make Rhiwlas their home over the coming months.
“We are building a variety of house types to meet the needs of buyers who are at various stages of the property ladder. This is an emerging and sustainable countryside community that has been designed to offer something to everyone.
“Buyers appreciate the area has good connections into the centre of Cardiff and is just within two miles of the M4 for easy access to Swansea and Newport. Once the development is complete, residents will be able to take advantage of the range of amenities that will be available on their doorstep.
“We are proud to be playing a major role in delivering this new neighbourhood which is providing much-needed housing in the area. With construction work progressing well and our two showhomes open, demand continues to be high.”
There’s a selection of three and four-bedroom homes currently available at Rhiwlas, with prices starting from £329,995. Further two, three and four-bedroom homes are yet to be released for sale.
For more information about Rhiwlas, call 029 2060 8479 or visit bellway.co.uk.
The first homes have been released for sale at a new housing development in Shirley near Solihull – after going on sale early due to high demand.
Bellway brought forward the release of its first phase of properties at Lucas Green, off Dog Kennel Lane, after being inundated with enquiries from prospective purchasers.
Information on the first homes for sale can be found at Bellway’s nearby Tidbury Heights development in Tidbury on Friday 16 April.
A selection of two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom houses are available, with prices starting from £239,500.
More homes will be released onto the market in the autumn when a sales office will open at the development.
Bellway is building 76 homes on the site, which was previously occupied by Lucas Engineering and is part of a wider proposed scheme of 260 homes.
Marie Richards, Sales Director for Bellway West Midlands, said: “Such has been the level of interest from buyers in the Solihull area that we have taken the unusual step of releasing the first homes for sale at Lucas Green several months ahead of schedule.
“We have received a huge number of enquiries since announcing our plans for the site. The site is in a highly sought-after location just a 10-minute drive from Solihull town centre and has good road and rail links to Birmingham. It is therefore appealing to a broad mix of buyers, from young professionals and first-time buyers to growing families and commuters.
“With construction work underway, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to Lucas Green in the autumn. In the meantime, anyone interested in the new homes at the development can find out more by contacting our sales team at Tidbury Heights.”
The homes at Lucas Green will include two-bedroom apartments as well as three, four and five-bedroom houses.
For more information, call 0121 756 0770 or visit bellway.co.uk.
Image Caption
CGIs of the homes available at Lucas Green in Shirley
The first residents have now moved into their homes at a new housing development in Corfe Mullen.
Bellway Wessex is delivering 78 new homes at the Windgreen Gardens site, off Wimborne Road.
Launched in October 2020, the development will comprise 58 properties for private sale and 20 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.
The homes are part of the Artisan Collection, Bellway’s flagship range of house types which combine traditional craftmanship and architectural flair.
Kim Caldwell, Sales Director for Bellway Wessex, said: “Corfe Mullen boasts a wealth of amenities and good transport links, making it a highly desirable area for Dorset housebuyers. Our Windgreen Gardens development will make a significant contribution towards meeting the demand for new homes in the area.
“Interest in the development remains high following the launch last autumn and construction work is progressing well, with the first homes now completed and occupied.”
As part of the planning agreement for the development, Bellway will provide £200,000 for open space and recreation improvements, as well as a further £250,000 to maintain the on-site natural green spaces.
Windgreen Gardens features a range of two, three and four-bedroom properties for sale, with viewings of the three-bedroom showhome available by appointment only.
Kim said: “The development’s unique location is ideal for families, with the site being situated next to both Lockyer’s Middle School and Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground.
“Commuters will also appreciate the good transport links, with easy access to the A31 for Dorchester to the west and Wimborne to the east, as well as connections to the M27 and M3.”
A selection of two and three-bedroom houses are currently available, with prices starting from £298,995.
For more information about Windgreen Gardens and to take a virtual tour of available properties, visit bellway.co.uk. The sales team can be contacted on 01202 983978.
Building work continues apace at a new Linden Homes development in Sutton, where many of the final homes have now been released onto the market.
Fewer than 20 homes remain for sale at Laithwaite Gardens, off Mepal Road, where construction is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Linden Homes, part of Vistry Group, is building 77 properties at Laithwaite Gardens, including 54 for private sale and 23 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership.
The development will also feature public open space, a cycle path and a children’s play area in the centre of the site.
Charlotte Barber, sales manager for Vistry East Midlands, said: “The release of the final properties for sale represents the last chance for house-hunters to secure a home at this highly sought-after development on the edge of Ely.
“Although there are now only 16 homes available, they include a variety of three, four and five-bedroom houses, meaning there’s something to suit a wide range of people, from first-time buyers to growing families. Given the high demand we have experienced at the site, we don’t expect these homes to remain on the market for long.
“Being just six miles from Ely, recently named one of the best places to live by The Sunday Times, is one of the major attractions of living at Laithwaite Gardens. Another is the community spirit and family friendly atmosphere which so many of our residents have commented on.”
Katie Martin and her partner Barry Stewart moved into a three-bedroom townhouse at the development, along with their children Grace and Sienna.
Katie, 31, said: “There are plenty of shops and a doctors’ within a 10-minute walk of the house which is really convenient. There are also some farm fields right next to the development that everyone uses for walks – which has been lovely, especially during lockdown.
“We have spoken to or met all of our neighbours – we get on really well with them. The couple who live on the corner of the street by us have a one-year-old and we see each other on our driveways.
“Sometimes we’re out there chatting for half an hour. It’s been strange because lockdown came soon after we moved in, but we’ve still managed to make friends. I feel like we’ve been really lucky with our neighbours.”
Prices for the final homes for sale at Laithwaite Gardens start from £259,995.
Last year a report from buy-to-let mortgage lender Paragon Bank[i] showed that the number of over 55s that are renting has more than doubled in the last decade, and over 55s are much less likely to want to own their own home (45%), compared to those under this age (81%).
One growth area is the luxury retirement rental market where Girlings Retirement Rentals has seen increased demand from people wanting aspirational homes in age-exclusive and sociable communities with onsite facilities such as restaurants, gyms and community hubs.
In response, Girlings has expanded its range of luxury rentals through Brio Retirement Living, also part of Places for People. Brio offers properties for sale or rent in age exclusive new communities in desirable locations across the UK and is committed to improving the quality and experience of later living.
In the beautiful Cotswolds, Girlings is offering apartments at Brio’s Beechwood Park, a community of stylish bungalows and apartments in the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. The facilities including a wellness suite and spa, a brasserie and bar, a community hub, roof terrace and much more.
In Scotland, Girlings is offering beautiful rental apartments at Landale Court in Chapelton, on the Aberdeenshire coast. The facilities include the Slate & Grain Brasserie and Bar, a club lounge, hobby and multi-purpose room, fitness suite and outdoor gym equipment plus access to a range of social, leisure and wellbeing activities.
The community also has 24-hour on site staff presence, a rapid response in the event of an emergency and a dedicated General Manager and team. A one bedroom apartment is available for £1452per month on a private residential tenancy (a Scottish tenancy).
Brasserie Bar at Button House
New to the collection is Button House in Hackbridge, where 80 stylish apartments are available, with impressive facilities including a fitness suite, a brasserie and bar, a community hub. The location is a short walk from the lovely Beddington Park, where the River Wandle runs but just a 23-minute train journey from central London.
Jamie Turnbull, Business Director at Girlings Retirement Rentals says, “We have seen a growing interest in the luxury end of the retirement market as people want to move somewhere that suits their lifestyle. They want a home that offers independent living but with support services should they need them later in life.
“Through Brio we are delighted to offer new rental properties in stunning age-exclusive communities with amazing facilities such as spas, gyms, libraries, restaurants and club houses.
“Included in the rent is two hours per week of domestic help (including light housework/laundry, admin support) plus Internet and all services and maintenance charges. There is a 24-hour on site concierge for additional security, plus a guest suite for visiting family and friends.”
Lifestory Pegasus Steepleton Tetbury
Girling is also promoting Lifestory’s Steepleton development in Tetbury, Gloucestershire – a collection of 68 homes designed to fit with the beauty of the surrounding Cotswolds. There is an onsite restaurant, lounge, gardens, gym, wellness spa and outdoor swimming pond. Support services include an on-site development manager and a 24-hour emergency Careline in each apartment.
A one bedroomed apartment is £1,848 per calendar month on an Assured Tenancy and includes all services and maintenance charges. Lifestory is offering three months free rent for people that move in here before June 2021.
Communities include The Vale in Streatham, London where 30 luxury, one-and two-bedroom rentals are available for the over 55s. The apartments feature open-plan living spaces, luxury kitchens and beautiful bathrooms. There is a bistro and bar, hair and beauty salon, wellbeing room and resident’s library and cinema room all onsite. A one bedroom apartment is available for £1,600 on an assured shorthold tenancy or £1,800 on an assured tenancy, per calendar month.
For more information on Girlings Retirement Rentals Diamond Collection visit: www.girlingsdiamond.co.uk
CitySuites has unveiled a new website that supports its future ambitions to expand the number of luxury short and long stay residences within the brand, beginning with the opening of a second exclusive aparthotel in Manchester City Centre in summer 2021.
As the hotel welcomes guests again, the website reveal indicates the positive future for the luxury five-star hospitality business, which is part of the Select Property Group based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
Developed by its digital agency partner Absurd, CitySuites’ new site features innovative technology and digital-first services. It has a bespoke contactless check-in process that eradicates the need for guests to go through the typical registration process on arrival, and enables them to just verify their identity on entry to the aparthotel based on the information already provided. There is also a new portal for guests to view their reservations, make changes ahead of their stay and that simplifies repeat booking.
As well as exploring the different types of accommodation offered across the two hotels, visitors can also discover more about Citysuites’ other facilities including the Embankment Kitchen restaurant, gym and pool.
Tara Homayounbod, Marketing Director “As well as evolving the site to include our new hotel, which will open this summer, we have added new features to further enhance the visitor experience. Users can explore our rooms and facilities through virtual tours, as well as learn more about our locations.
“Many service requirements for CitySuites differ from the more typical hotel needs, due to the specialist accommodation offered and lengths of stays, which we have built into the new user journey, booking process and site features. Absurd has done a fantastic job with the design, brand positioning and the functionality of the site. We’re just so glad to be reopening again and to build on our future plans.”
Oliver Bailey, co-founder of Absurd, adds: “The new design and features are baked in user insight and testing, and we’ve created a framework that will support CitySuites’ growth as they expand both in the UK and internationally. We’ve focused on the navigation and how ultimately users will be able to explore all aparthotels with ease.
“As a result of a platform upgrade and a headless CMS, the new site also benefits from a much faster load time and improved experience. By implementing a component based set up, content admins can create new pages with ease. This means Citysuites can operate with agility and be more reactive around campaigns and deals, and the platform facilitates ongoing communication with guests with more personalised marketing.”
CitySuites is located in Manchester City Centre and combines the comforts of home with the luxury touches of a hotel, providing an exceptional living experience that surpasses standard serviced apartment accommodation.
LiveWest, a housing association with more than 38,000 properties across the south west of England, is adopting a video telematic solution from VisionTrack across its fleet of 380 vans. The company will implement a phased roll-out of the VT2000 connected dashcam following a successful trial involving 40 vehicles, which demonstrated clear enhancements in insurance claims management and driver behaviour. As a result, LiveWest aims to have almost 50% of its fleet fitted with a vehicle camera by the end of 2021.
“We wanted to explore the benefits of using connected vehicle cameras alongside our existing tracking solution provided by Webfleet,” explains Paul Ayris, Fleet Manager at LiveWest. “The video footage from the VisionTrack solution is providing the added context needed to quickly prove liability; challenge fraudulent, exaggerated and 50/50 claims; and better engage with our drivers. Moving forward, we expect this to help reduce insurance costs, while improving road safety in the communities we work in.”
The VT2000 dashcams have already had a positive impact on LiveWest’s loss ratio and provided irrefutable evidence following road traffic collisions. Following one serious incident, the company was able to quickly prove its driver was not at fault, which would have previously resulted in a costly 50/50 claim. It is also supporting LiveWest’s accident management process, which was remodelled in 2019 to change the way the company investigated and handled driving incidents. With the help of the fleet dashcams, LiveWest is aiming to double the annual rebate it receives from its insurance partner.
Following the initial trial, it was clear that the fitted dashcams had a positive impact on driver behaviour at LiveWest. However, the benefits of the technology have gone far beyond simply influencing the mindset of drivers by enabling the company to effectively engage with mobile staff as well as gain a greater understanding of the risk they face out on the roads.
“Our safety culture is all about continuous improvement, so the VisionTrack solution is already playing a crucial role in helping us to reduce fleet risk and share best practice. Backed with high quality video footage, it has been far easier for us to provide guidance to drivers on areas of improvement and for them to take feedback onboard. This means we can quickly nip any issue in the bud before it poses a threat to driver welfare, other road users and the reputation of the business,” concludes Ayris.
Jason Craven, Head of Channel at VisionTrack commented: “We are helping fleet organisations to operate in a safe, efficient and socially responsible way. By combining our extensive range of proven connected technology with exceptional levels of service and support, we can create video telematics solutions that deliver significant benefits and cost reductions.”
As enthusiasm for the tiny homes market continues, the first ever Boxabl factory in Las Vegas is about to go live in a few short months, with a ground-breaking progress that will forever change the housing industry.
Boxabl’s unique ‘Casita’ container homes have seen a rush of orders, and come complete with a stylish interior, packed with tech and stunning looks to boot.
However, the exciting news is that these homes are compatible with automobile style factory mass production. By using a product been engineered to build almost every building type in almost every country on the planet, Boxabl has the potential to disrupt a massive and outdated trillion dollar building construction market, starting with the rapidly growing USA Accessory Dwelling Unit market.
Boxabl’s first 170,000 square foot facility is quickly filling up with materials, heavy equipment, new office space, as well as 15+ full-time employees and counting. Priority number one is the first order for the United States Federal Government, a total of 156 “Casita” houses are set to be made in a few short months.
“It feels great to be moving into a new space where we are about to change history for an entire industry,” said Paolo Tirimani, Boxabl’s CEO. “You can almost feel the electric in the air as we are prepping to start fulfill this first order, it’s really quite amazing.”
However Boxabl is looking forward to not only fulfilling this order, but also getting started on the 30,000+ reservations the company has around the globe – and 2,000 of those orders with deposits paid on them, at least one in every state, are of utmost importance.
With a reservation list growing by the hour, the company is set for worldwide expansion and is seeking Franchisee partners worldwide, who will play a strategic role in making sure orders are fulfilled.
Possible Franchisee partners are encouraged to go to the Boxabl website and fill out the forum under the Partner tab.
Welsh Government has announced that the rates holiday for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors in Wales will be extended for a further 12 months.
The £380m package announced by Finance Minister Rebecca Evans provides retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with rateable values of up to £500,000, and charities, with a straightforward year-long business rates holiday.
The relief package, in combination with the Small Business Rates Relief scheme will mean that more than 70,000 businesses across Wales will continue to pay no rates at all in 2021-22.
The Minister has also committed to providing 100% rates relief for charities and businesses in the leisure and hospitality sector with a rateable value of over £500,000.
Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said: “The Welsh Government has worked tirelessly to ensure businesses in Wales have access to the most generous business support package anywhere in the UK.
“Our targeted, responsible approach has allowed us to dedicate more funding for business support than we have received from the UK Government. I am pleased to confirm that our 100% rates relief package for those hardest-hit sectors will continue for a further 12 months, protecting jobs and businesses across Wales.”
The Deputy Leader, Cllr Hywel Williams said: “This announcement is very welcome news and will bring some relief to businesses that have faced huge challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The extension of the rates holiday will provide a much-needed boost for small and medium-sized businesses struggling to cope with the impacts of the virus.
“Bridgend County Borough Council will be looking to automatically award the business rates relief to all eligible
businesses as soon as possible, and they will receive a new bill when the award has been made.”
