After waiting four years for a home at Beaulieu, Chelmsford’s exciting new residential district by Countryside and L&Q that will provide up to 3,600 new homes, Matthew and Sarah Stringer (both 36) and their children Charlie (4) and Hollie (2) have used the government’s Help to Buy scheme to become the first new owners at this vibrant development.
Matthew explains: “My wife grew up in Chelmsford and we moved back four years ago when we were about start a family.We really wanted to buy a new build house that nobody else had lived in before, and targeted Beaulieu as it offers a great opportunity to be part of an exciting new community with an excellent range of new facilities.
We visited the development on the opening day of Beaulieu Heath, which is the first phase at Beaulieu and were greatly impressed with the overall design, with its attractive landscaped entrance, colonial style homes and warm ambience.We immediately reserved a four bedroom townhouse called The Laurensen, as we loved the overall design which provided light filled, spacious rooms and a good sized garden for the children, a roof terrace from the master bedroom and a great specification.
Another attraction was the outstanding internet connectivity available.Fast, reliable broadband is essential as Sarah works from home throughout the week and I often work late in the evenings to support my US client base.All the properties at Beaulieu are being built with BT’s ‘Fibre to the Premise’ wiring, which delivers speeds up to 330 Megabits per second, considerably faster than anything else available for home use, it’s simply unbeatable and at present more than anyone currently needs.
We used the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, as it provided a unmissable opportunity to buy a bigger home than we would have otherwise, requiring just a 5% deposit and providing a 20% loan interest free for the first five years.
As we were really keen to move in, we worked with the fantastic team at Countryside to complete as quickly as possible and moved into our new home at the end of August.We were assisted by the onsite team who have treated us like royalty and as we are the only people to live here for a month, we have had the whole development to ourselves which is amazing – it feels like we are living in a model town!
Since moving in we have been really impressed with our new home and the overall development.The children love their new home, especially their big bedrooms and the garden, where Charlie plays on his bike and scooter.Sarah is enjoying working from her home office, especially as she can watch the development progressing from the double height window in the converted bedroom, and I am commuting daily from Chelmsford station into Liverpool Street Station to my office in the City.
We are now enjoying watching the development cleverly unfold and are looking forward to meeting our new neighbours when they move in.It will also be great to use the new facilities when they are available, especially the shops, restaurant and community centre at Beaulieu Square, as well as the new schools and green open spaces.”
Set amid parkland and extensive landscaped spaces with colonial style architecture, Beaulieu Heath comprising 49 new houses in a range of sizes and layouts. From spacious five bedroom family homes splitover three floorsto stylish three and four bedroom houses offering flexible, well-designed space, Beaulieu Heath has a home to suit all buyers and lifestyles.
One of the three bedroom homes currently available at Beaulieu Heath is the Berchman. Set across two floors, the ground floor features a well-equipped kitchen. There is also cloakroom and separate open plan living/dining area with Velux windows and full-height glazed doors opening onto the turfed rear garden.
On the first floor, a light filled master bedroom can be found complete with fitted wardrobe. There are a further two bedrooms, one of which could be used as a study or home office. The family bathroom has crisp white sanitary ware with chrome mixer taps and heated towel rail, and full height wall tiling to shower/bath area. Flooring is included throughout and includes carpet, ceramic and vinyl tiling.
For residents who want great online entertainment or to work from home fibre optic capability is supplied to the main data point to all houses (subject to future connection by purchaser). Homes come with ample car parking thanks to a garage and driveway.
All of the new residential areas in Beaulieu will be supported by first class amenities that will allow the neighbourhoods to grow and flourish. Two primary schools and a secondary school are planned, as well as sports facilities and community, health and retail amenities, ensuring the development has a vibrant community hub from the outset.
A wide network of open spaces will include meadows, recreation areas for dog walking, as well as a community garden and large parks with play areas, all connected with a network of footpaths, cyclepaths and bridleways. Investment in transport connections will also be key to the success of Beaulieu – the scheme includes a site for a new railway station on the East Anglian main line, as well as a new relief road connecting Beaulieu to the A12.
Given city status in 2012, Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and its historic centre offers excellent shopping and a vibrant nightlife. Its shopping centres and bustling high street offer all the big name brands, along with a wide choice of pubs, restaurants and wine bars, while the city is also renowned for its excellent schools, including its two top performing grammar schools. From Chelmsford station there are direct services to London Liverpool Street in as little as 35 minutes.
The 3 bedroom Berchman house design is available from £399,995, with four bedroom houses from £690,000 and five bedroom houses coming soon. For further information or to register your interest in the new homes at Beaulieu Heath call 01245 597277
Information correct at time of publication.
