Family get closer at Panorama near Plymouth

Kelly Heatley (25) was so impressed with her parents' new home at Barratt's Panorama development on the outskirts of Plymouth she decided to buy one herself. "I loved Mum and Dad's new house and, thanks to Barratt's Dream Start scheme for first-time buyers, I was able to buy a smaller home just five doors away with my partner, Paul," said Kelly, who works for Virgin Atlantic.

"It's a spacious house with two double bedrooms, an en-suite, lounge and diner with patio doors, separate kitchen and downstairs cloakroom. We've also got a garden and parking space," she continued.

"As part of the Dream Start deal, we only needed to secure a mortgage for 75 per cent of the full asking price - the other 25 per cent was covered by Barratt and is repayable interest free when we move or within 10 years' time.

"Barratt also paid our Stamp Duty and £1,000 towards our legal fees. It was a really good deal as the house came with carpets and kitchen utilities like a cooker, fridge/freezer and washing machine."

Kelly's parents, Jeanette (50) and Mick Heatley (51), took advantage of Barratt's Agency Selling Service to move to Panorama, so they were spared the cost of estate agents' fees.

"We actually sold our old house within a week of it going on the market, so we stayed with relatives until our new house was ready," Jeanette said.

"This development overlooks Tothill Park and offers some nice views. We used to live in a larger house on the other side of the park, but we decided to move to a smaller property when our children started to leave home."

Jeanette and Mick chose a three-bedroom terraced house at Panorama, which comes with en-suite facilities, a lounge, kitchen and diner, downstairs cloakroom, garden and parking space.

"We're really pleased with our new home and it's lovely to have our daughter living close by. We moved in just after the New Year and the Barratt sales team has been really helpful - I'm delighted with the way things have worked out."

Panorama, a cul-de-sac development, offers a selection of two-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom houses. Although it lies on the outskirts of Plymouth city centre, it enjoys a quiet location with views over the distant river Plym to the rolling hills beyond.

Prices start from £151,950 for two-bedroom apartments, from £162,250 for two-bedroom houses and from £191,950 to £212,500 for three-bedroom houses.

There is easy access to the mainline railway station, the A38 into Cornwall and Plymouth City Airport. The main Plymouth City Hospital is nearby and an excellent bus service is available with park and ride.

For further details, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.