Three-storey glory

With three-storey living on the rise, one major new homes developer decided to investigate the reasons for its popularity – with uplifting results. National house builder Redrow – building new homes at Stourscombe Vale in Launceston, Cornwall - commissioned a survey of 1,000 customers living in both two and three-storey homes, and the results show some compelling reasons for choosing height over width when moving house.

According to the study almost two thirds of three-storey converts would rather keep their extra floor than move into a two-storey home.

Although most of the three-storey buyers didn’t specifically look for a home with three floors, the choice clearly paid off – as over two thirds of people questioned have found the extra floor useful, with most buyers using it for extra bedrooms.

It’s also likely that those enjoying elevated living have had the odd envious look from their neighbours, as nearly 75% of people living in a traditional two-storey home said they were attracted to the idea of adding an extra floor to their living space.

Three-storey homes have become increasingly common throughout the UK as government planning guidelines promote the need for developers to be economic with their land – which means utilising upward, instead of outward space. Modern life has also had an impact on the type of housing we need. Families are now less conventional, with a rise in step-families and more unusual living arrangements. Friends also frequently buy together in order to get on the property ladder. These changes mean the demand for a flexible type of living space is higher than ever.

Simon Bennett, group marketing director for Redrow, explains the appeal: “We’ve always known the advantages that three-storey homes can offer, but hearing the reasons directly from our own customers – those who are actually experiencing it for themselves - confirms this for us.

“Whilst three-storey living was popular back in Victorian times, living spread over three floors today is a contemporary solution to modern day life, and we’ve found that buyers at all stages of the property buying ladder appreciate its appeal – from young families right through to ‘empty nesters’.”

Buyers also highlighted many reasons why three-storey property is now coveted, including an increased level of privacy offered by first floor living areas, as well as the fact that it gives home owners the option to be creative and flexible with their internal layout. The extra stairs in this type of property also have an added bonus – with several owners saying it helped keep them fit!

Those who have bought a three-storey home from Redrow have used their extra floor space in various ways. Many have used the opportunity to give teenagers and older children their own space and independence, which can be difficult to do in the traditional two-storey home. And people who work from home have also benefited, as a home office can be tucked away on the top floor, separating ‘home’ and ‘work’ lives.

One thing that both two and three-storey owners agreed on was the value for money this property design offers, with the majority of each group believing that three-storey buyers get more for their money.

Many of these attributes are displayed to good effect in the Ouse and the Ribble, two fine examples of spacious four-bedroom homes with accommodation arranged over three floors, which are being built at the popular Stourscombe Vale development in Launceston.

The normally redundant roof space of both of these properties has been cleverly converted to create an extra floor of living accommodation. In the Ribble, this translates as a sumptuous master bedroom with en-suite show room; while the Ouse has two bedrooms ‘in the roof’, either of which could equally be used as a home office, hobbies room, playroom or a home gym.

Stourscombe Vale currently has a mid-terrace Ouse available from £209,995, whilst an end-terrace Ribble is priced from £225,995.

As an added incentive and for a limited period only, Redrow is offering a mortgage subsidy of £500 per calendar month for two years on selected plots. Alternatively, the developer may be willing to take a purchaser’s existing property in part-exchange.

Redrow’s area sales manager Katrina Shore says: “As our survey shows, the versatility, space and advantages of three-storey living should be more than enough to tempt purchasers, but these incentives are the icing on the cake.”

Stourscombe Vale is ideally situated on the outskirts of the market town of Launceston, the ancient gateway to Cornwall. The nearby A30 offers convenient access to Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and Truro, and there is a mainline railway station 12 miles away at Tavistock.

Find out more about the properties at Stourscombe Vale by visiting the development on Bluebell Way, any day between 10am and 5.30pm. Alternatively, or go on line at Redrow.co.uk.