Beechcroft Developments Frenchlands Gate in East Horsley.
Cash injection for retirement specialist Beechcroft
The growing retirement property market has caught the interest of Alchemy Special Opportunities which has committed to invest £30 million in Beechcroft Developments; a provider of high quality retirement property. Established in 1984, Beechcroft builds
apartments, cottages and houses for the over 55s. Typical developments include 20-30 homes. In all Beechcroft’s developments a strong emphasis is placed on property management and maintenance of both private and communal landscaping. Beechcroft builds predominantly on brownfield sites, located
within easy reach of facilities in some of the most attractive market towns and villages in the southern counties. Beechcroft’s MD, Chris Thompson, says,
“Alchemy’s timely cash injection will enable Beechcroft to invest in land. In the face of a national crisis in the retirement housing sector, Beechcroft has developed an ambitious strategy to acquire development land within its area of operation and to expand its portfolio of high quality housing in the under-supplied South of England.
“The housing crisis is a result of the UK’s FTBs embrace eco-friendly designs
The launch of Fabrik, a sustainable, shared ownership development by Notting Hill Home Ownership has highlighted the desire for eco-friendly features. The Brixton development was built in
partnership with developer Skanska, using a radical new construction technique known as Modernahus. It is the first of its kind in the UK and is proving popular amongst buyers attracted by the fact that the apartments are 44 per cent more energy efficient than traditional equivalents, and therefore, so with the benefits of shared ownership, represent a cost effective way of living in central London. The properties are available through
shared ownership, with shares between 35 per cent and 75 per cent, meaning that buyers can step onto the property ladder for £47,187. Over 70 per cent of the homes at Fabrik have already been reserved. The one, two and three-bedroom
apartments include a range of eco- features, from water efficient fittings and underfloor heating to a central biomass boiler. Other features include bike stores and allotment spaces, helping residents in reducing energy consumption and fuel costs. Mark Vaughan, director of Notting Hill Home Ownership says, “It is becoming increasingly important for developers to provide homes that will help families and young people to not only reduce their energy consumption, but their fuel bills too particularly in light of rising fuel and energy costs. The homes at Fabrik not only meet ambitious eco standards, but their modern design and contemporary fittings make them a desirable place to live for both young professionals and families.” Shares of 35-75 per cent are available to buy though shared ownership, with one-bedroom apartments starting from £47,187.50 based on a 35 per cent share.
ageing population. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over increased from 15 per cent in 1985 to 17 per cent in 2010, representing an increase of 1.7 million people. By 2035, it is projected that 23 per cent of the population will be aged 65 and over. Unless action is taken now by policy makers and developers, it will be impossible to avert the housing crisis facing this ageing population. “Build rates across all sectors of the retirement
market need to grow four times from that prior to the 2007/8 downturn in order to cope with a moderate increase in demand.”
Notting Hill Housing’s Fabrik development.
Contemporary styling and high standards. PROPERTYdrum JANUARY 2012 51
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68