First reservations at The Locks in Berkhamsted
There is a tradition in the UK of the majority of house-hunters not moving far from their existing home. Doris and Arthur Williams have taken this to extremes as they live immediately opposite the home they have chosen to buy at Bellway’s new Berkhamsted development - The Locks in Stag Lane. Such has been their enthusiasm for the development that they are the first to reserve there, and plan to move in during summer 2008. Until then, they are able to keep an eagle eye on proceedings as the buildings take shape.
When the scheme launched, there was enormous enthusiasm and interest. Doris Williams (80) and husband Arthur Williams (87) love the area but wanted to move from the first floor apartment where they have spent fourteen years to one on the ground floor. A corner plot at The Locks suited them perfectly, having been expertly guided by the sales team at Bellway. Prices for similar apartments at The Locks start at £249,995 and prices for houses start at £342,995.
Doris Williams explains: “As we get older we are not finding it as easy to climb stairs or walk up hills so the central location is just perfect for us. We are within easy reach of the high street and station and bus stops and, as I don’t drive, this means I can keep my independence. We needed an extra room as friends and also our 15 year-old grandson sometimes come to stay with us.”
The location is also perfect for them as both have active working lives. Doris Williams adds: “My husband still works part-time in our daughter’s independent, high street travel agency, Traveltime Ltd. Meantime, I do voluntary work at the local preparatory school assisting the teachers in the classrooms and, once a week, I help out at the Hospice of St Francis charity shop.”
Ian Sloan, Sales Director at Bellway North London, said: “We are delighted with the success of the launch, and thrilled that the first couple to reserve are so local as this endorses the excellence of this location in Berkhamsted.”
Doris Williams has praised Bellway for its method of working, saying that it is good to see a housebuilder taking such care to be a good neighbour whilst the construction takes place. The site was derelict and considered by locals to be an eyesore.
Doris Williams comments: “Keen though we were for this development to go through,” says Doris. “We did rather dread the mess but Bellway have been very considerate about keeping things tidy. They keep things so neatly swept and tidy that I think our street looks cleaner now than before the work started”.
As the Williams’ discovered when they moved from Manchester fourteen years ago, Berkhamsted has a great atmosphere. It is a quintessentially English country town with a delightful mix of period buildings, lovely restaurants and good shopping. The Locks is close to the Grand Union Canal and will improve what has been wasteland for many years. The site’s position at the end of the High Street makes it popular. Access to major motorways is good and, as Doris Williams has noted, the railway links to London Euston make this a perfect location for commuters.
At The Locks, there will be a mix of contemporary apartments bordering the Canal with more traditional houses to the southern section of the site. The housing mix will include 41 x two-bedroom apartments; 7 x two bedroom houses; 22 three-bedroom houses; 26 four-bedroom houses; and 4 five-bedroom houses. All homes have parking spaces with an allocation of two spaces for each house (more for the largest homes) and one parking space for each apartment plus visitor parking spaces and disabled parking bays.
As part of its Agreement with the local authority, Bellway will be making contributions to local education, sports facilities, library facilities, youth & childcare needs plus a contribution to upgrade play equipment in a local recreation area, sustainable transport and maintenance of the tow-path running along the Grand Union Canal.
The scheme will include 50 affordable homes of which Bellway Housing Trust will manage those allotted for shared ownership and William Sutton Housing Association will be responsible for rented affordable homes.
The development, featuring open space in the middle, with access for the public as well as residents, will cover a site measuring just under eight acres and will improve what has for many years been derelict land. The site was formerly used for warehousing and a timber treatment yard.
Homes are currently being marketed from local estate agents Aitchisons. A sales and marketing suite and show homes due to open on the development in mid February 2008. The site is programmed to be complete by summer 2009.
To find out more, visit Bellway.co.uk .
