Three is the magic number

Two storeys will never be enough for one Hilton couple, soon to celebrate the arrival of a baby into their home.

Helen and Paul Appleton are expecting a new baby this summer and they recently made space for the new arrival by moving into a three-storey, four-bedroom Neale home at Redrow’s Meadow Brook development in Hilton, near Derby.

Helen works with nursery aged children while Paul is a primary teacher. There are already two children in the household – Lucy and Harry – and the couple are expecting their new baby boy in July.

Helen said: “Our previous home was also at a new homes development in Hilton and that had three storeys too. It only had three bedrooms, though and now we need space for a new nursery.

“The Neale at Meadow Brook has the same great three storey character, but it has more space, so it is ideal for us.”

The Neale comprises a kitchen, a living room and a cloakroom on the ground floor, a lounge and a master bedroom with an en-suite shower room on the first floor and three double bedrooms and the family bathroom on the top floor.

Helen explained that, having lived in a three storey property for several years, the family could not go back to a more conventional two storey house.

She continued: “We have become very much accustomed to the three storey lifestyle. Our bedroom is on the first floor and the three children’s bedrooms are on the top floor.

“It’s great because it means that as well as the children all having bedrooms of their own, they have the whole of the top floor all to themselves. And we get some peace and quiet on the middle floor!”

Research by the National House Building Council – whose warranty covers over 80 percent of new homes in the UK – shows that 18 percent of new homes started in Great Britain during the third quarter of 2006 were terraced.

This eclipsed the number of semi detached properties (14 percent) and for the first time equals the number of detached homes that were started.

Julia Pallister, sales director for Redrow Homes (Midlands) said: “Terraced townhouses are really coming into fashion, and the three storey homes at Meadow Brook are a prime example of this.

“It is no surprise to hear customers like Helen say they could not go back to a two-storey home as three-storey properties allow a lot more living space for the size of the footprint, giving house buyers more space and lots of character for their money.”

There is much more to Meadow Brook than innovatively designed homes though; the location of the development is equally impressive.

Positioned close to the new A50 road and with links to the Midlands’ motorway network, Meadow Brook is an ideal spot for commuters, with Derby, Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham all less than an hour away. The three cities also offer major shopping, leisure and cultural opportunities.

The development itself overlooks open fields, giving it a semi-rural feel, and Hilton has plenty of local amenities if you prefer the gentle pace a bit closer to home.

The venture also has the breathtaking benefit of being close to the Derbyshire Dales with its stunning scenery, refreshing walks, historic properties and outdoor sports.

Julia continued: “There’s so much potential from this location. Whether it’s shopping, cultural excursions, food, drink, work or enjoying the quiet life, it’s all accessible from Meadow Brook.”

Currently available from Redrow is a selection of four-bedroom terraced and detached houses, with prices for a Neale similar to Helen & Paul’s new home starting at just £189,950.

Also available, and ideal for first time buyers, is a selection of two-bedroom apartments with prices starting below the £125,000 stamp duty threshold at just £119,950.

For more information about availability at Meadow Brook, visit redrow.co.uk.