Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds, was set up to introduce imaginative, modernist architecture into a rural setting, to protect and enhance the natural environment, to engineer a harmony between residents and wildlife, and to protect the local and wider ecology.

The project’s success in achieving these objectives has been acknowledged with two awards in the Daily Telegraph Your New Homes Awards in March, for Best Architectural Innovation and Best Waterside Development.

Richard Reid and his team of architects have set a new agenda for others to follow by designing a series of contemporary houses, in a landscape setting that are both contemporary and highly inspirational.

The man behind the project, Jeremy Paxton is interested in pioneering homes, which excite and inspire with new design ideas, interesting materials, and intelligent environmental thinking.

Judge Cherry Maslen of The Daily Telegraph) said, “Stunning architecture and creative use of interior space, have made the absolute most of the waterside setting; decking right over the water and glass walls positioned for sunset-over-the-lake views, ensure an absolute appreciation of the outstanding natural environment”.

Lower Mill Estate is an exclusive development in the Heart of England, of high quality lakeside second homes stunningly designed, enjoying the most magnificent views over 450 acre country estate.

There is a selection of two, three, four, five and six bedroom homes available with prices from £495,000 to a little over £1m.

Arrange your personal tour of the estate online:

Web: http://www.lowermillestate.com

Tel: 01285 869489

The timber that lies at the heart of a Swedish House Company property, comes from pine trees that grow very slowly, straight and true in the Dalarna Forests in Sweden.

In the process they produce uniquely dense, close-grained timber that can’t be beaten for structural strength; ideal for the framework for a house - a substantial, strong and stable structure.

This timber also provides the beauty of natural wood for staircases, beams, interior doors, window frames and other visible surfaces.

Warm Winters:

• Swedish Houses are so well insulated that they heat up straight away and the heat is spread evenly throughout, so that there are no undesirable cold spots.
• A unique heat recovery system employs an optional heat pump, which utilizes the outgoing warm air to heat the incoming air, thus providing economy in energy use and costs.

Cool In Summer:

• High standards of insulation keep their buildings warm in winter, and keep it cool in the summer, they are designed to minimise solar gain, e.g. using glass with a protective coating to repel the heat of the sun.
• Built in ventilation constantly circulates fresh air throughout the house, while stale air, cooking smells and excess heat are extracted.

The Swedes value things that are not only superbly designed, but also superbly constructed e.g. Swedish cars and furniture; this obsession with quality extends to every aspect of design and construction of the Swedish House Company’s homes.

The Swedish House Company are exhibiting at the Spring Self Build & Renovation Show at The Renovation Centre from 6th to 9th March.

Web: http://www.swedishhouses.com

When it came to looking for her first home, Joanne Milne was just one more struggling first-time buyer trying to get her foot on the property ladder.

Then she discovered Barratt’s pioneering iPad apartments at Farrier’s Park, Stockton.

“I loved the iPad design and the fact that everything was finished to a really high specification, which was lacking in other properties I considered,” said Joanne.”

So after a small deposit, she purchased a top-floor apartment for £96,000 in a three-storey block in this attractive riverside location.

Joanne added: “I went for an iPad because it was within my price range, yet because of the open-plan design it didn’t feel poky.

“The bathroom is best of all; it has a large basin with a vanity unit, which is just right for a girl’s needs and a full-size bath with a shower over; many of the affordable homes only have a tiny shower room.

The Barratt iPad measures 381 sq ft and comprises a living, dining and kitchen area, with the kitchen separated off by a breakfast bar and comes with a freezer, fridge, oven and hob with extractor hood.

The living area leads on to a private balcony while the double bedroom has a 1.5m run of wardrobes, plus a dresser, bedside cabinet and double bed with ample room to walk around it.

Barratt is currently selling Barratt iPads at Parkside Gardens in Middlesbrough at prices from £95,000 and further iPad’s are planned for Hardwick Green in Stockton.

Web: http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/ipad

Tel: (0845) 60 80 100

Barratt has developed the new Barratt iPad Home, specifically to be more affordable for increasing numbers of first-time buyers around the UK, struggling to achieve their first step on the home ownership ladder.

The design philosophy was to produce highly affordable accommodation, which is still classy, ergonomic and manageable, within attractive elevations.

The accommodation had to be innovative with creative use of space to appeal to a variety of buyers; primarily first-time buyers, but also parents funding children at college, and single people.

The stylish 1 and 2 bedroom apartments make creative use of space and include a living/dining area, fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, plus a private balcony providing additional amenity space.

At just over 380 sq ft, the iPad has a wealth of features including a spacious open plan kitchen with integrated oven, hob, extractor hood, fridge and freezer.
An 18ft 8in by 10ft living/dining room, a separate bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a bathroom, with a full-sized bath, basin and loo.

The living area in the 2-bedroom iPad has a contemporary double-height ceiling and mezzanine floor with en suite.

Building is soon to begin on 170 more apartments on six sites, at prices from £85,000. They will cost from £100,000 in the Midlands and from £120,000 in London and the South.

Another 1,600 iPads on 40 sites across the country are in the pipeline;
Locations include Leeds; Stockton on Tees; Edinburgh; Chorley, Lancs; Wirral, Merseyside; Cardiff; Swansea; Bognor; Fareham; and Bournemouth.

Web: http://www.ipad.barratthomes.co.uk/

Launched to coincide with the expansion of the Government’s HIP scheme to include 3-bedroom properties, The Law Society have developed an online Home Information Pack to ensure solicitors are able to offer a quality, simple and effective HIP solution to estate agents and home sellers.

In only five days since its launch, the new Law Society Home Information Pack bureau service attracted almost 600 enquiries and notched up its first orders for 75 starter packs.

The Professional Solution - with the amount of legal content contained in a HIP, solicitors are best placed to prepare them.

The Law Society bureau HIP is designed as a reliable, easy to use service that allows solicitors to prepare packs quickly and conveniently.

Core pack components are prepared to order for the individual solicitor, who then adds any further items – such as leasehold documents – completing the HIP.

The components of a Law Society bureau HIP are:
Energy Performance Certificate
Sales Statement
Land Registry Individual Register
Land Registry Title Plan
Local Land Charges (LLC1)
Local Enquiries (Con 29R)
Water and Drainage Enquiries

In recent ICM Research, solicitors were identified as the most trusted agency to prepare (57%) and interpret (70%) HIPs, compared to any other agency.
77% of respondents indicated that they would be more likely to buy a HIP, which was endorsed by the Law Society.

Web: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk

Tel: 020 7242 1222

In the first couple of hours, dozens of people interested in securing a home on the UK’s first BoKlok housing development, visited IKEA’s Gateshead store to apply for the much sought after properties.

They obtained information about the different homes on offer and the application form that could qualify them to acquire a BoKlok property at St James Village in Gateshead.

Once the application forms are submitted, BoKlok will begin the process of allocating the homes, which will involve interviewing people who meet the necessary criteria,

This will include prioritising those who earn between £15,000 and £35,000 per year and not already homeowners; home ownership tenure preferences will also be discussed, including whether outright or part purchase options are the most suitable for applicants.

In the first release in Gateshead, there will be 60 flats and houses available for shared ownership or outright sale:

• A one-bedroom flat will cost £99.500 while a two bedroom one will be £124,950.
• Two-bedroom townhouses the Molna and the larger Ålsten, will cost £132,500 and £139,500 respectively.
• The three-bedroom townhouse the Järnbro, will cost £149,500.
• Some additional units will be released for rental in early 2008.

Work on the St James site is now underway and the first homes will be ready to move into in January 2008.

See also our previous article - BoKlok Homes Are Set To Launch In The UK

Web:  http://www.boklok.co.uk

Tel:   (0800) 028 3629

Potton Homes the leading self-build company, have unveiled the first of six exciting house designs from their new Renaissance collection, created to capture the imagination of self builders and developers throughout the UK.

The Renaissance collection, was inspired by the Victorian Arts and Crafts movement, and as such, epitomises the quality, beauty and craftsmanship of the late Victorian era.
 
Potton’s unique Ruskin Show Home cleverly marries a traditional exterior with a contemporary interior design:

It is a 2,300 sq ft four bedroom house, which externally boasts an impressive Gothic style window clad in beautiful bricks and roof tiles; inside, the floor plans have been designed to include all the conveniences of a modern day lifestyle.
 
The Ruskin Show House is the star attraction at BuildStore’s new 67,000 sq ft Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon and was built in just 12 weeks.

Visitors to this impressive Show House are taken through each step of the self build process, which is sure to provide real inspiration for homeowners to join the 20,000 families who build their dream home every year!

For further information visit the website:

Web: http://www.potton.co.uk
Tel:  (01767) 676 400

An exciting new concept in housing - BoKlok, is now coming to the UK; It aims to provide space-saving, functional and high quality housing at a price that enables as many people as possible to afford a comfortable home!

BoKlok, which was pioneered in Scandinavia by furniture giant Ikea and construction firm Skanska, is a partnership between property company Live Smart @ Home and Ikea.
 
The first BoKlok site in the UK will be in Gateshead at St James Village, subject to planning approval. Work will commence in the late spring 2007, with the first marketing of BoKlok flats anticipated in the autumn; Over 90 flats and houses will be constructed on the St James site.

The Scandinavian-style timber framed properties, will primarily be aimed at households earning between £15,000 and £35,000 a year and will be sold on an outright sale or shared ownership basis.

The BoKlok flats are designed to be energy efficient and have a flexible open-plan layout, high ceilings and large windows, giving the apartments a light, airy and contemporary feel.

They come with a host of additional features as standard, such as extra height rooms to give a feeling of space, wooden flooring throughout, fitted kitchens and free interior design advice from Ikea, as well as an Ikea furniture voucher.

These unique homes will be like nothing else seen before in the UK and will play an important role in helping first-time buyers to get on the property ladder!

Web: www.boklok.co.uk
Tel:    (0800) 028 3629

Tudor Cottage is a 17th Century Grade II listed Cotswold stone house in the historic market town of Burford.

The property has five bedrooms and an integral garage. Beneath its Cotswold Stone roof, there are stone mullioned windows, and the house is adorned with roses and wisteria.

The ground floor includes a drawing room with open fireplace and doors to the garden and east wing, dining room, kitchen utility room, bathroom and cloakroom.

The east wing can be used as a self-contained cottage if required, featuring its own kitchen, sitting/dining room, bedroom and bathroom - giving potential owners the flexibility to rent part of the property out.

Butler Sherborn are inviting offers in the region of £950,000 for Tudor Cottage.

web: http://www.butlersherborn.co.uk
tel: (01993) 822 325

This is Sylvan Lea, 14 luxury two and three bedroom apartments inspired by the design of an 18th Century grain mill, and created by Westpoint Homes.

Sylvan Lea enjoys an enviable waterfront location in Edinburgh’s Colinton Village conservation area. Many apartments have balconies overlooking the water of Leith - ideal for relaxing with a glass of wine after a stressful day in Scotland’s capital.

Although the setting is tranquil, Edinburgh city centre is only three miles away, and Colinton Village is also close to the city bypass and Edinburgh airport.

No two apartments are the same, and the properties have been finished to a high standard with sanitaryware by Porcelanosa, doors veneered in Innova Cherry inlaid with American Walnut, granite worktops in the kitchen and paint throughout by Farrow & Ball.

Prices start from £249,995

web: http://www.westpointhomes.net
tel: (0131) 441 6841