Larkfleet to build affordable homes in multi-million pound development

Larkfleet Homes has started work on a £6.8 million project that will see a disused former allotment site transformed into affordable housing for local people.

The site, located on Monarch Avenue in Fletton, Peterborough, will comprise 59 new affordable two and three-bedroom family homes targeted at those struggling to get onto the housing ladder.

Home Group, one of the UK’s largest providers of affordable housing, will offer 29 of the properties for affordable rent and the remaining 30 for shared ownership.

The disused allotment site on Monarch Avenue was formerly owned by Peterborough City Council which has worked closely in partnership with Home Group and Larkfleet Homes to facilitate the development.

The 59 affordable properties will go a long way to meet the need for affordable housing in the Peterborough area. According to a 2012 report by the National Housing Federation, there are around 7,650 households in Peterborough on housing waiting lists. The average cost of a home in the area is £153,426 and the average salary is £19,932. However the salary needed to buy an average home with a 75 per cent mortgage is £32,877.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, commented: “Larkfleet is committed to helping local people get onto the housing ladder. This project is making a real contribution to meeting local housing need by providing high-quality homes on land that was surplus to other requirements. It is a demonstration of how a local authority, a housing association and the private sector can work in partnership to benefit local people.”

Jackie Beazley, Home Group project manager, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Larkfleet Homes and Peterborough City Council to increase affordable housing provision in the area.

“As a not for profit housing provider Home Group places great importance on providing high quality homes for people and creating desirable neighbourhoods.”

The development will include four phases and work is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

House hunting 'Larkfleet style'

Larkfleet Homes has launched a new scheme to enable homebuyers to view its developments in the easiest and most comfortable way possible. As part of the housebuilder’s new ‘chauffeur service’, Larkfleet is offering to collect potential homebuyers from various train stations in the East of England and East Midlands – or in some cases their current home town – and take them on their very own tour of its developments across Lincolnshire, Rutland and Cambridgeshire.

Larkfleet’s own branded vehicle will transport homebuyers to as many sites as they wish – the perfect option for homebuyers who are not familiar with the area but are interested in relocating, or even those who know the area but want a stress-free new home search.

During their chauffeured tours, homebuyers can spend time speaking to sales staff in the different Larkfleet showhomes and learn more about what Larkfleet has to offer at its different developments.

This scheme will significantly reduce the travel costs incurred by homebuyers who would normally visit showhomes in their own vehicles and allows them to enjoy a relaxed, informed and personal viewing experience.

Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick commented: “At Larkfleet, we understand that searching for your next home can be time-consuming – and expensive when travel costs are taken into account! With our chauffeur service, homebuyers can sit back and relax as they get to know the local area and what Larkfleet developments have to offer.

“We believe this chauffeur service sets us apart from other housebuilders in the area and highlights our commitment to quality customer care.”

In addition, if potential homebuyers purchase a Larkfleet property after enjoying its chauffeur service, Larkfleet will reimburse the new homeowners for any additional travel costs (such as train fares).

Larkfleet now offers the government’s new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme on selected developments which allows homebuyers to potentially own 100 per cent of their new home with just a 75 per cent mortgage and 5 per cent deposit.Current homeowners selling to buy a new home can also benefit from the scheme and there is no cap on household income in order to be eligible. Furthermore, there is no restriction on the number of bedrooms a property may have, so in theory a single person could purchase a four-bedroom property with the Help to Buy scheme.

For more details on Larkfleet developments and its chauffeur service, please contact a sales advisor on 01778 391550.

Terms and conditions apply to this promotion.

It's a family affair

When Pat Crabb visited his son Norman who lives near Bourne, Lincolnshire, last year he never guessed that it would result in a 130 mile move north from his home in Clacton-on-Sea to the market town for both himself and his sister Molly Gentry within 12 months.

However, during his trip Pat decided to take a look at The Croft development to see whether it could offer him the new life he sought closer to his son following the loss of his wife.

The Croft is an age exclusive development for the over 55's which is being developed by Larkfleet Homes and Keystone Developments. It comprises 68 one and two-bedroom bungalows and two and three-bedroom chalet-style bungalows set around attractively landscaped courtyards.

Pat immediately 'fell' for the development which 'struck a chord with him from his first visit' to such an extent he never looked at any other developments. Pat returned to Clacton and showed The Croft's brochure to his sister Molly Gentry.

'I wasn't really thinking of moving but when Pat showed me the brochure I really liked the look of the development and thought it would be nice to live near Pat and his son as they are the only family I have, so I decided to make the move too,' explained Molly.

Molly put her existing house up for sale using Larkfleet's Ezy-move scheme, which helps buyers to sell their existing home. The scheme can include providing assistance with getting valuations right through to the exchange of contracts and, on completion of the sale, Larkfleet will also pay the estate agent's fees.

In order to make his own move, Pat used Larkfleet's Ezy-share scheme to buy his new home. 

'The Ezy-share scheme worked really well and meant I was able to buy the property I wanted. It was cost effective, too, as it is an interest free loan, which is only repayable when the property is sold,' added Pat.

The scheme offers buyers the ability to buy a property for typically 85 per cent of the purchase price and then borrow the remaining 15 per cent as an interest-free equity loan from Larkfleet.

Having received an offer for his Clacton home within four weeks, Pat was swiftly able to move into his new one-bedroom 'Browning' style bungalow.

Pat explained: 'The Croft is just right for me, it offers me an ideal location close to my son, as well as the ability to be independent whilst being part of a community.

'The property itself offers me everything I need, as it is well set out and has lots of storage space. This, coupled with the fact that everything is new and therefore requires little upkeep and all the external grounds maintenance is taken care of, means my life is a lot easier now.'

The Croft is built in the grounds of a former manor house and offers residents a secluded and tranquil environment, with no through traffic and a community feel. The former manor house has been fully restored and is now the hub of the development, featuring a residents' lounge, kitchen and library all of which can be used for social events and activities.

 Molly who will move into her property this month (June) added: 'I will definitely be using the manor house facilities, I really enjoy getting out and meeting people. The social aspect of The Croft appealed to me from day one, as it is lovely having the option of mixing with neighbours and the manor has been so well decorated it will be a pleasure to use.

'The addition of a guest suite in the manor house is a further bonus, as it means that even though both Pat and I have brought one-bedroom homes we can still have friends and family to stay, which is very handy.'

Set in the heart of historic Bourne, The Croft offers easy access to the local amenities including the town's bustling centre which has shops, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets, all of which are only a short walk away.

The added convenience of good public transport links means Lincolnshire's gems such as Stamford - recently nominated by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in Britain - are also within easy reach.

'We both really like Stamford and I am sure Pat and I will be making trips there and being able to get there on the bus means we don't need to rely on anyone. It's the ability to do things like that together, while still living apart and independently from each other, which has made this move so appealing for me,' added Molly.

Larkfleet is offering a range of incentive packages at The Croft which can be tailor made to suit the needs of individual buyers, including a £1,000 cash back for buyers who recommend the site to a family member or friend.

So as Molly Gentry moves in, Pat Crabb is able to bank a £1,000 cheque from Larkfleet as a 'thank you' for introducing his sister to The Croft.

For more details on Larkfleet developments, please contact a sales advisor on 01778 391550.

Call the sales team on 01778 426995, pop in to the sales office located on North Road in Bourne for more information.

Treat your dad to wine and cake this Fathers' Day

Larkfleet Homes is providing a special Father’s Day treat for visitors to its sales offices on Sunday 16 June.

To celebrate Father’s Day, visitors who bring their fathers to Larkfleet sales offices in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire or Rutland can enjoy a very different house hunting experience as cakes and a glass of wine – or tea or coffee – will be available for them to enjoy whilst learning about the development.

Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: “The offer is open to sons, daughters and dads of any age – so even fathers who visit with their toddlers can enjoy cake and wine too. And I am sure there will be enough to share with mums and children too – though the wine will be for adults only!”

Larkfleet has properties to suit a variety of needs and also offers a selection of financial incentive schemes for buyers in a range of different circumstances.

For example, Larkfleet’s Ezy-give scheme aims to help young people own their first home by allowing parents, family or friends to pay 20 per cent of the purchase price.

Through the Ezy-give scheme, the homebuyers will have a smaller mortgage and a lower interest rate while the relative or friend lending the money gets a 5 per cent return for five years after the purchase.

Larkfleet is welcoming all homebuyers to its developments to enjoy the Father’s Day refreshments – particularly those whose parents may be thinking of ‘downsizing’ and purchasing an age-exclusive property as well as those who may be interested in taking advantage of its Ezy-give scheme and owning their own house with a little help from their family.

Karl Hick added: “It may be just the right moment to ask mum and dad, while they are enjoying a Father’s Day treat, if they could help you with the purchase of a home like the one they are sitting in!” The Croft, in Bourne, Lincolnshire, developed by Larkfleet Homes and Keystone Developments, and Spinney House in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire, both offer modern and stylish properties for the over 55s.

The Croft consists of 69 one and two-bedroom bungalows and two and three-bedroom chalets arranged around attractively landscaped courtyards. A renovated manor house acts as the ‘hub’ of the development – perfect for housing community activities or hobby groups.

Spinney House has two high-quality, modern one-bedroom apartments left for sale and boasts quiet, attractive grounds complete with outside patio and seating areas.

Larkfleet’s Abbeyfields development is located on the old Co-op site on Spalding Road in Bourne, Lincolnshire, and comprises two and three-bedroom properties with prices starting at just £124,995.

Leighfield Park is the first phase of Oakham Heights, Larkfleet’s major urban expansion of Oakham, located on land between the Oakham bypass and Barleythorpe Road. The development currently offers traditionally-styled three, four and five-bedroom properties starting from £184,995.

The Coppice development – located on the Orchard Field site in Deeping St James – is now in its second phase of development and offers 12 two and three-bedroom properties for sale.

As part of phase two of Glen Grange in Pinchbeck, 29 additional two and three-bedroom homes will be constructed, helping to further meet the need for rural housing – especially for local people looking to purchase their first property.

Solar photovoltatic (PV) panels will be fitted as standard to every property constructed at Glen Grange and Leighfield Park, and to selected properties at Abbeyfields and The Coppice, so homebuyers can benefit from reduced energy bills. The PV panels will produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy days.

Karl Hick said: “Larkfleet has a variety of different properties across its developments – there is something to suit everyone. Our Ezy-give scheme is a great way for parents to help their children onto the housing ladder. Our developments for the over 55s also offer a fantastic opportunity for the people to release equity in their current home and ‘downsize’ – without compromising on the quality of their property or lifestyle.”

Contact Larkfleet on 01778 391550 for more information about its developments.

Sales offices are open from 09:00 until 17:00 daily – apart from Abbeyfields, The Coppice and Leighfield Park which are open until 18:30 on Thursdays.

Retirement living in style

The Croft (Bourne, Lincolnshire) offer exclusive retirement living for the over 55's, set within a secure community with all the freedom you want. There is a manor house situated in the heart of the development, with a residents lounge, kitchen, meeting room, library and a guest suite for visitors are just some of the things this exclusive development offer. Also with the external maintenance and upkeep of your property taken care of you can relax in the communal facilities.

There are frequent transport links to the surrounding areas, and facilities like the shops, restaurants and supermarkets within a short walk of the development.

Contact us now for more information about this development.

Local woman's ten minute phone call

Peterborough-based marketing communications company Metrix Marketing has made a ten minute phone call extremely lucrative for one lucky Oakham resident.

During March and April this year, Metrix carried out some market research that invited people buying and selling houses to talk about their experiences searching for a new home.

The market research, sponsored by Larkfleet Homes, asked homebuyers how easy they found the hunt for their ideal home and what housebuilders could do to improve their offering – from the houses themselves through to the way information is presented on websites.

Everyone who took part in the research had their name entered into a draw and Oakham resident Alison Sharp’s details were drawn from over 100 entries to win the £1,000 prize.

Like all participants, Alison took part in a brief, ten minute telephone call in which she talked to Metrix about her experience of looking for a new home. As an Oakham resident, Alison’s feedback involved a discussion of Larkfleet’s Leighfield Park showhome just outside the town and how impressed she was with the quality of the development and helpful sales team.

Alison said: “I can’t quite believe that I have won! The market research was very easy to take part in and I was happy to give my views to try and help improve the home buying process for others. A ten minute phone call was well worth this fantastic prize!”

Hannah Thomas from Metrix Marketing presented Alison with her prize money at Larkfleet Homes’ Leighfield Park development in Oakham. She said: “I am really pleased to present Alison with her prize money. We valued the views of all our market research participants and the collated information will be very helpful in informing the future design and marketing of new-build homes – benefiting both housebuilders and housebuyers in the future.”

Larkfleet Homes’ Leighfield Park development in Oakham is aimed at families looking for a stylish, traditional home that allows them to enjoy rural life while still benefiting from good transport links to surrounding towns and cities.

The development currently offers traditionally-styled three, four and five-bedroom properties with prices starting from just £184,995 for a three-bedroom property.

All 143 properties at Leighfield Park will have solar PV (photovoltaic) panels fitted as standard so homebuyers can benefit from reduced energy bills. The PV panels will produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy days.

Larkfleet will also provide allotment gardens for residents to encourage a sustainable lifestyle and community. Larkfleet now offers the government’s new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme at its Leighfield Park development. The Help to Buy scheme allows homebuyers to potentially own 100 per cent of their new home with just a 75 per cent mortgage and 5 per cent deposit.

Leighfield Park, located between the Oakham bypass and Barleythorpe Road, is the first phase of Oakham Heights, Larkfleet’s major urban expansion of Oakham.

For further details on Leighfield Park, please call 01572 722 262

Larkfleet and Bourne school provide school lunches

Housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Homes and Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary Academy have worked together to raise funds for a school in Kenya.

Over the recent Easter holidays, Larkfleet organised a special ‘Easter egg hunt’ around its Abbeyfields showhome, located on Spalding Road in Bourne, for all pupils at the local school.

For every pupil that took part in the Easter egg treasure hunt, Larkfleet pledged to make a £2.50 donation to local group Friends of Nyansakia which raises money for an impoverished community in Nyansakia, Kenya.

In total Larkfleet donated £120 to the Friends of Nyansakia which will go directly to the local primary school in Kenya. The donation is enough to provide 48 Kenyan school children with a school dinner for an entire month.

Helen Jones, Larkfleet’s marketing director and governor at the school, presented £120 to Martin McKenna from the Friends of Nyansakia in a special school assembly.

During the assembly, Thomas Lawson, a Year 5 pupil at the Bourne school was selected at random from all Easter egg hunt participants to win a special chocolate prize.

Karl Hick, managing director of Larkfleet Homes, commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary Academy to raise money for the school in Nyansakia. I am delighted with how many pupils took part in the Easter egg hunt and the money raised will go a very long way. Larkfleet looks forward to helping the school raise more funds for the Friends of Nyansakia later in the year.” 

Larkfleet’s Abbeyfields development comprises two and three-bedroom properties with prices starting at just £124,995. The development is ideal for first-time buyers and young growing families looking to invest in a larger home.

Selected properties at Abbeyfields have solar PV (photovoltaic) panels fitted as standard so homebuyers can benefit from reduced energy bills. The PV panels produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy days.

At Abbeyfields, homebuyers can bridge the deposit gap by taking advantage of the government-backed Help to Buy and NewBuy schemes to secure a mortgage with a deposit of as little as five per cent of the purchase price.

Larkfleet has several developments across the East Midlands and East of England including Bourne, Pinchbeck and Deeping (Lincolnshire), Peterborough (Cambridgeshire) and Oakham (Rutland) which offer plenty of choice for those looking to purchase a home.

For more details on Larkfleet developments, pleasecontact a sales advisor on 01778 391550. Terms and conditions apply to any promotions.