New technology fosters old community feel
Getting to know the neighbours is easy for new residents of Chestnut Walk in Bilston thanks to a dedicated Facebook group.
Redrow homeowners are using the social networking site as a means to develop a sense of community.
Residents’ association member Steve Childs explains: “I’d lived in a new build home before for 10 years before moving to Chestnut Walk, but other than the people next door and a handful of others didn’t know anyone. I longed for the days when everyone knew each other and wanted to recreate the neighbourhood feel that you don’t really get these days. I set up the Facebook group in the hope that enough people would share that feeling.”
There are now about 70 people in the Facebook group facebook.com/groups/chestnutwalk, where people can get to know one another and share ideas for community events. It’s also helped those who are buying homes at Chestnut Walk get to know the people who will soon become their neighbours.
As a direct result of communicating on Facebook residents have previously helped tidy up the Bradley Arm Canal which runs through the development, so that the area around their new homes is more enjoyable. They’ve also enjoyed a barbecue with bouncy castle hire funded by Redrow.
“With the help of social media, we’ve been able to create a sense of community that’s more like a rural village than an urban area,” Steve adds.
Steve, managing director of UK Websystems, moved from a three-bedroom semi to a four-bedroom detached Ruthin at Chestnut Walk with wife Kerrie, who works as a purchaser, and daughter Amelia.
“We were looking to buy in 12 to 18 months but when we came to Chestnut Walk the house we went on to buy was being completed and we fell in love with it there and then. We particularly like the double aspect front of the Ruthin, as it’s the kind of house that Kerrie and I both used to draw when we were kids,” Steve adds.
“We moved in on our daughter’s first birthday and the joke is that she thinks we bought her the house as a present.”
Having owned a new build home previously and after visiting other developments in the surrounding area, Steve says Redrow is miles better than its competitors.
“It’s like comparing Manchester United with a third division team. The difference in the quality of finish is miles ahead – there’s no real comparison,” he says.
“Redrow make the most attractive houses too. They look great and they’re different from the normal boring brick boxes you see produced by other developers.”
Current availability at Chestnut Walk includes two, three and four-bedroom properties with prices from £119,995.
To discover why Steve and other homeowners love living there, visit the sales office and show homes in Bankfield Road, Bilston, open daily from 10am to 5.30pm. Alternatively, see redrow.co.uk/chestnut.
