State-of-the-art play area comes to Priors Green, Essex

The government has recently recognised the importance of play for children by funding a national play strategy to the tune of £235 million over three years*. Play is essential to help children develop their social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional skills and it is vitally important that children can play freely outdoors, therefore having well equipped play areas close to home could be a real bonus for parents and children.

Countryside Properties has provided a state-of-the-art play area at its new development, The Thatchams, at Priors Green, Essex.

The recently complete play scheme, created by international play specialist company, Kompan Ltd., is designed to be a fun-filled environment for children from six years of age.

Steve Allison, Eastern Region Area Manager for Kompan Ltd., comments: "Countryside Properties briefed us to create a challenging, exciting children's play area and something that was different from the run-of-the-mill play facilities found at many developments. We combined two of our best selling ranges, Galaxy and Elements, to create an innovative, vibrant play area that will be fun and functional for children and will also be extremely hard wearing."

Chris Crook, Subsidiary Managing Director, Countryside Properties, comments: "Countryside Properties invests a huge amount of time and resources in the design and layout of its developments to ensure that they meet our extremely high standards. As many of the properties at The Thatchams are large family houses, it was very important to include play areas that would be attractive to children and that they would want to use time after time. The play area has been located right at the heart of the development and is already proving extremely popular with youngsters. In addition, every property also has its own spacious private garden and the development is also punctuated by green open spaces that are perfect for play."

The Thatchams, at Priors Green, in the popular village of Little Canfield, near Stansted, comprises a range of two, three and four bedroom houses arranged along attractive tree-lined avenues and quiet cul-de-sacs. Externally, the 11 different house styles showcase a range of finishes including classic red brickwork, buttermilk render, white weather boarding and red clay and grey slate roof tiles.

Interiors offer light and airy open plan living spaces. Fully fitted kitchens include stainless steel appliances and bathrooms include stylish white sanitaryware. Master bedrooms offer fitted wardrobes or dressing rooms as well as en-suite bathrooms.

Priors Green is ideally situated close to the M11, the A120 and M25. Stansted Airport is close by and the rail network connects with London Liverpool Street in approximately 45 minutes**. Bishop's Stortford is approximately six miles from the development and has a wide range of high street and boutique shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. There are also several excellent local schools.

Prices at The Thatchams currently start from £195,000 for a two bedroom house and from £295,000 for a four bedroom house. The marketing suite and show home are open Thursday to Monday, from 10.00am to 5.00pm. For more information see Thatchams.net.

* Fair Play, announced April 2008
** thetrainline.com