A new build home can cost half as much to heat as a Victorian house of the same size, according to a report by the NHBC Foundation[1]. The report also revealed more house-hunters are drawn to contemporary, flexible layouts and modern facilities of new homes such as new kitchens, bathrooms and appliances, as well as the idea of buying a ‘blank-canvas’. After only popping in for a look, Katie (30), husband Craig (32) and two year old daughter Grace were so impressed by the new homes at Beaulieu Chase in Chelmsford, Essex they decided to make the move from old to new, purchasing a three-bedroom house from Countryside.
Previously living in an old eighties style three-bedroom detached house close to Beaulieu, Katie Ewing, a college lecturer, explains: “We had no intentions of moving, and had always planned to stay in our old house and extend. Our old home wasn’t really big enough for us and the bedrooms were very small. Although we wanted more room, we didn’t think we would be able to afford anything better than the house we already had. The square footage of our new three-bedroom house at Beaulieu is much larger and we even get an office – it has made a massive difference to the way we live.”
Beaulieu Chase offers a contemporary collection of stylish two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, many of which offer picturesque views over garden streets, or an expansive landscaped park known as ‘The Chase’. Katie continues: “Personally, I always thought we would buy a period property, but when we came to look around we were so impressed by the design and space of the new-build home. A few of our friends have now bought new and I think more and more people are realising they are actually affordable because of the different purchase schemes available. We used the Help to Buy scheme, we wouldn’t have been able to move to Beaulieu without it. Countryside explained it all to us and made the whole process extremely easy.”
With the Help to Buy scheme available at Countryside’s Beaulieu, those looking for a beautiful home in the heart of Chelmsford can buy with a deposit of just 5%. The Government will then provide an equity loan of up to 20% of the property’s value, interest free for the first five years, with the buyer raising a mortgage for the remaining 75%.
Katie continues: “One of my favourite things about buying new, is that when you move in, there’s no need to spend more money on home improvements, because it has all been done for you. Little things in our old house used to annoy me, such as the window handles were gold, but the door handles were silver. Here, everything is perfectly planned and designed to match. Now, Craig and I have a huge top-floor master bedroom with an en-suite dressing area and terrace – it’s amazing, sometimes I feel like I’m in a hotel. We absolutely love the terrace area. In the summer when Grace is at nursery we can have lunch up there, or when she’s gone to bed we can sit and relax of an evening, it’s really lovely to have our own space.”
All of the new residential areas at Beaulieu, a joint venture by Countryside and L&Q will be supported by first class amenities that will allow the neighbourhoods to grow and flourish. Two primary schools and a secondary school are planned, as well as sports facilities and community, health and retail amenities, ensuring the development has a vibrant community hub from the outset. Investment in transport connections will also be key to the success of Beaulieu – the scheme includes a site for a new railway station on the East Anglian main line, as well as a new relief road connecting Beaulieu to the A12.
Katie adds: “We definitely didn’t want to move out of the Chelmsford area, because Craig has grown up here and its ideal for where we work. I drive to Colchester and Craig works in Witham so Beaulieu is perfectly located for road links and access to the A12. Grace’s nursery is within walking distance and the school is due to be finished by the time she starts primary school. Chelmsford is a great place to live, it’s really easy to get into London via train if we need to and there’s a great choice for shopping.”
Katie concludes: “We love living at Beaulieu, as there’s such a strong community spirit. Our neighbours in the cul-de-sac are lovely, there are a lot of young families who commute into London for work and some retired couples so we all try to meet up and get together.”
Prices at Beaulieu Chase start from £449,995 for a three bedroom house, £534,995 for a four bedroom and £899,995 for a five bedroom house. Guide prices for a one-bedroom apartment at Beaulieu Square start from £210,000, and from £265,000, for a two-bedroom apartment, all available with Help to Buy. For more information please visit www.beaulieu.uk.com or call the sales team on 01245 209 991 / 200146.
[1] https://www.nhbcfoundation.org/news-and-media/the-advantages-of-new-homes/