It's official - the best starter homes are at Holborough

Judges at this year's What House? Awards were unanimous in deciding that the UK's best starter homes can be found at Holborough - Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd's New England inspired development near Maidstone in Kent.

The judges felt that The Maine two-bedroom apartment warranted the very top accolade - a gold award in the Best Starter Home Category. Purchasers wanting to reserve one of these award-wining apartments should act quickly as there are only two Maine apartments remaining for sale in the current Birchleigh phase of Holborough, priced at £205,000.

The judges said of the Maine apartment: "Views from the windows are pleasant and the rooms are all good sizes. The very decent package offered to buyers incorporates snazzy Villeroy and Boch sanitaryware and aerial points in every room. The development also boasts excellent eco credentials."

The Maine apartment is a clever design that's sees the accommodation set over a garage. The apartment is accessed by its own private pretty whitewashed staircase, avoiding the need for communal access, and features the same New England style architecture as the rest of Holborough. Internally, there are two double bedrooms; one with en-suite facilities, a family bathroom, an open plan living/dining room and a kitchen.

The apartments also benefit from the Super E technology deployed throughout Holborough. This hidden technology works with superior levels of construction and insulation to create a naturally warmer environment in the home. As a result, the need for central heating is reduced and monthly fuels bills are lower - a bonus in an age of rising utility prices.

The Best Starter Home Gold Award wasn't the only reason Berkeley Homes were celebrating at the What House? Awards 2008 - the developer was also crowned Best Large Housebuilder (Gold Award), and it also picked up a Silver award in the Best Sustainable Developer category. Other regions of Berkeley Homes also triumphed in two further categories, making it a very special day for the developer.

Piers Clanford, Managing Director at Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd, said after the ceremony: "We are thrilled that The Maine apartment won Gold in the Best Starter Home category as we feel it represents excellent value for money without a compromise on style or quality. It is very telling that the judges picked up on the standard of specification in the Maine - we apply the same, high level of specification to every home at Holborough - no mater the price or size.

In today's market it's important that we provide homes for first-time buyers. Those taking their first step towards home ownership can come to Holborough and be assured of an award winning home of the highest quality but at an affordable price. What's more, these award-winning apartments are part of the MyChoiceHomeBuy scheme."

Holborough is one of Kent's most exciting new communities, lying close to West Malling and Sevenoaks. The development is influenced by New England architecture, with pastel coloured weatherboarding, a timber frame construction, and white washed wooden verandas and balconies. For sale is an inspiring collection of apartments and houses, ranging from one to five bedrooms, all set in landscaped grounds with a nature pond and lake.

Prices at Holborough start from just £165,000, meaning a number of homes are now stamp duty exempt. For further information about the townhouses and Holborough, log on to Holborough.co.uk.