Wolverton development steams ahead

A historic former railway works in Wolverton, three miles outside Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, which once housed the Royal Train and the building of both locomotives and carriages for the UK's railways, is undergoing a stunning transformation into a 21st Century mixed use community.

Places for People, one of the UK's leading development and regeneration groups, is behind the Wolverton Park development which is set to provide 300 homes, on a 10.5 acre site running alongside the Grand Union Canal. Across the canal there will also be a selection of shops, offices, and a proposed restaurant / pub.

Wolverton was the world's first railway town and sprang up in the 1840s to service the steam locomotives making their way north from London. At that time, engines could only travel around 50 miles before needing water, fuel and servicing. Conveniently the old village of Wolverton was just over 50 miles from London and the mid-point on the London & Birmingham Railway.

Three Grade II listed buildings form the heart of the new scheme - the former Royal Train Shed, the Triangular Building where locomotives and carriages were built, and a Reading Room which was an educational facility for the works' employees. These are being converted into a selection of one, two and three-bed apartments and two-bed townhouses and there is potential for a bar restaurant.

The addition of Trevithick Court and Hamilton House, two new buildings overlooking the park which is to form a focal feature of the scheme, will provide an extra 223 apartments.

The new build homes are due to be launched on the weekend of 27th September. The homes within the converted Triangular Building and Royal Train Shed are scheduled to be launched in 2009. Prices start from as little as £69,995 (for a 50% share) and from £150,000 for a privately owned one bedroom apartment overlooking the canal, through global property consultancy Knight Frank.

A short walk over a bridge across the canal is all that separates the development from Wolverton Station, where trains to London take just one hour. Alternatively trains to Milton Keynes take four minutes, from where fast trains to London Euston take just 40 minutes. Both the M1 and A5 are less than a mile away. Nearby Milton Keynes provides a range of leisure facilities, including shopping at the MK centre and the slopes and skydiving at the XScape leisure centre. Oxford, Cambridge and Northampton are not far either.

Mark Johnson, associate for selling agent Knight Frank, comments: "The development of Wolverton Park is revolutionary for the area - it is an exceptional example of a mixed-use scheme which provides the right blend of homes in a superb setting with history and charm. The conversion of such attractive buildings is a fine use of the Victorian architecture and the development marks the progress that Milton Keynes as a city and the surrounding area is making in terms of regeneration and redevelopment, also helping to meet Government targets for the region. The new apartments are in keeping with ensuring the projected population forecasts are met, and combine with the city's status as a growth zone.

Mark continues: "The excellent transport links, local services, large amount of open space and wide range of local services and good schools deem the development popular with commuters, local people and young families seeking a relaxed and convenient way of life."

Ian Troughton, Project Director at Places for People, said that the new homes will give people the chance to step onto the property ladder. "This new community - in one of the founding villages of Milton Keynes - will help create a viable and sustainable neighbourhood with a mix of homes, including a proportion of affordable homes for local people, as well as new business opportunities and improved green open spaces. The economic growth in Milton Keynes and its proximity to London has made it an attractive place to live and work, and this scheme will help local people step onto the property ladder whilst embodying the rich heritage, character and history of the railway town."

Every property benefits from the inclusion of a fully fitted kitchen, and most apartments have integrated appliances, including a dishwasher and fridge freezer. The apartments have an EcoHomes very good rating, helping to reduce their carbon footprint.

Wolverton Park also holds a small business area in one of the other old railway buildings, The Coachworks. This is separated from the Royal Train Shed by the Grand Union Canal. On the bank of this canal with a seating area on the water’s edge is the Reading Room, which is currently proposed to be transformed into a restaurant.

The services of a daytime customer services manager combined with access to a 24 hour support network helps to bring peace of mind to residents. Added to this is the availability of secure fob accessed parking, making Wolverton Park a safe and secure environment.

A Tesco supermarket is based across the road and the Milton Keynes General hospital and local Police station are close by. There is a good choice of primary and secondary schools nearby.

Prices start from as little as £69,995 (for a 50% share) and from £150,000 for a privately owned one bedroom apartment. For more information log on to Wolverton-park.co.uk.