London developer reports strong sales

London’s leading homebuilder has reported a strong sales performance in the first three months of the year, adding to hopes that the worst of the economic news may have passed.

Barratt Homes has sold nearly 140 new homes in London & Thames Gateway during this period. The company says its sales success is down to great locations and products, competitive prices and deals to suit all kinds of buyers.

Homes are being sold at a rate of 2 per week at its six sites across the city. And visitor levels – a reliable indicator of how many people are planning to buy a new home in the next few months – are up by nearly 120 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008.

The news comes on top of a number of indicators over the Easter period that the wider economy may have turned a corner.

Bank of England figures showed that mortgage lending had increased by 19 per cent month on month. And the Nationwide Building Society released figures showing that house prices had actually risen – for the first time in 16 months.

“We have seen a strong performance in terms of the number of homes sold and visitors to our sites in the last few months as more and more people realise that now could be the time to buy,” said Alastair Baird, managing director of Barratt London.

“We are offering some of our best ever deals but they can only be available for a limited period and we are fast running out of stock. I’d advise anyone who’s interested in a great new home to come and talk to us soon.”

Developments in London include Maple Quays in Canada Water, Dalston Square in Hackney and a new top-of-the-range development at one of Europe’s finest addresses in Westminster.

Ten Rochester Row, SW1, comprises 34 homes for private sale ranging from large one-bedroom apartments with studies through to magnificent three-bedroom penthouses with roof terraces extending to almost 2000 sq ft. Prices start from £584,250. For more information, visit Tenrochesterrow.co.uk/development.

On the eastern side of the capital, Maple Quays is the start of one of London’s largest regeneration schemes in Southwark and will include a range of new town centre amenities, including a library, civic plaza, leisure amenities, shops and children’s play space. A stunning new marketing suite is now open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, alongside Canada Water station, complete with a fully-furnished show apartment.

The first phase of Maple Quays has been one of ther best-selling new developments in London and is already sold out; the second phase is just about to launch with prices from £250,000 for one bedroom apartments and £365,000 for two bedroom apartments. For further information, see barratthomes.co.uk.

In the heart of the old East End, Dalston Square is one of London’s key strategic regeneration schemes, a £160m project which will eventually provide over 550 new homes, shops, a library and archive, plus a brand new station for the East London line extension at Dalston Junction. Two, three and four-bedroom apartments are also available, starting from £290,000. For more information, visit dalstonsquare.co.uk.