Redrow meets the needs of home-workers

As more people choose to work from home every day, Redrow is offering the perfect solution for those striving to improve their work / life balance.

A selection of homes at The Glades, in the Wiltshire village of Downton, have been expertly designed to feature self-contained home office space over the garage, with a separate entrance and kitchenette. It’s a move that should help meet the needs of home workers escaping the rat race.

Not-for-profit central information service Work Wise UK estimates that around five million people worked from home each day last year, eliminating the stress and financial strain of the daily commute. That figure was up 31.8 per cent over the past decade, according to research by the TUC, and is estimated to rise to eight million by 2012.

For many, the economic downturn has increased the appeal of home working, as it enables businesses to save money on office running costs and employees to cut back on commuting expenses.

Hannah Newnes, area sales manager for Redrow Home (South West), said: “As the trend for working at home gains pace, we have reevaluated what some of our buyers may be looking for from their home.

“We understand that people who live and work under the same roof still desire a degree of separation between their home and work life, which is why we have incorporated a self contained element into the design. The office space can be accessed via a separate entrance and features a kitchenette and cloakroom, reducing the need to enter the living area as frequently, and creating what we believe to be an ideal working environment.

“Alternatively the space could be transformed into a ‘den’ for older children or a games room, if not required initially as a home office.”

Located in an attractive rural area of Downton, The Glades is close to the tranquillity of the New Forest National Park and within easy travelling distance of Salisbury, Southampton, Bournemouth and Poole.

Prices start at £339,995 for a three-bedroom home with a first floor study, which could also be used as a nursery, up to £499,995 for a five-bedroom home with dedicated home office space over the garage.

The homes also benefit from a number of eco-features, which help them achieve level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes and potentially reduce residents’ energy bills, including solar panels, low-energy light fittings and water butts.

For more information visit the marketing suite and show home, open daily from 10am to 5.30pm, or log on to redrow.co.uk.