Cristina Diaconu
Vogue UK Investment Opportunity with Kartell UK

Vogue UK Investment Opportunity with Kartell UK

The UK’s largest British designer and manufacturer of premium radiators and towel warmers, Vogue (UK), look ahead with renewed enthusiasm as new development opportunities are expected following investment by Kartell UK, one of the largest and fastest-growing suppliers of heating and bathroom products to the independent merchant and showroom sector in

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Vonder Launches All in One Living Concept in Wembley

Vonder Launches All in One Living Concept in Wembley

Vonder, the global lifestyle brand, has revealed its ‘all-in-one living’ concept with the opening of its latest flagship project, Vonder Wembley. Comprising 313 apartments with on-site amenities across over 160,000 sq ft of space, Vonder Wembley pioneers the all-inclusive living model of providing renters with everything they need for both

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Groundbreaking for Net Zero Carbon Residential Development

Groundbreaking for Net Zero Carbon Residential Development

Gresham House and ilke Homes have cause for celebration, as of 30th November the organisations officially broke ground at their first partnership zero carbon development at Hope Green in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Delivered by ilke Homes and funded by Gresham House, via its evergreen UK limited partnership Gresham House Residential Secure Income

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Abode Appoints Frank Cassidy as Project Engineer

Abode Appoints Frank Cassidy as Project Engineer

Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions is delighted to welcome Frank Cassidy, newly appointed Project Engineer within its Design & Quality Department to support and manage a wide range of exciting projects and development opportunities currently ongoing, planned-in or new

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Shanly Wins Housebuilder of the Year Award

Shanly Wins Housebuilder of the Year Award

Shanly Homes has taken home the Housebuilder of the Year award at the 2021 Thames Valley Property Awards. The award was presented during the gala evening held at Ascot Racecourse on Thursday 9th December. Privately owned and headquartered in Beaconsfield, Shanly has been building high quality homes across the Thames

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Final Homes for Sale at Former Police HQ Site in Stafford

Final Homes for Sale at Former Police HQ Site in Stafford

All but a few homes have now been sold at two developments which are transforming the former Staffordshire police headquarters site in Stafford into a new residential neighbourhood. Bellway West Midlands is delivering a total of 141 new homes on the site, off Cannock Road, with 111 properties at Baswich

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The Most Popular Carpet Colour of 2021

The Most Popular Carpet Colour of 2021

Although carpets have a reputation of being a boring – and typically beige – necessity, 2021 has seen some bolder and brighter carpet colour trends come through, including royal blue, forest green, dusty pink, mustard yellow and geometric patterns. According to JustServicesGroup.com, who analysed global Google search volumes, ‘grey’ is the

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The Hill Group Completes Portfolio Refinance

The Hill Group Completes Portfolio Refinance

he Hill Group, the UK’s second-largest privately-owned housebuilder, has completed the full portfolio refinance in the first major sustainability-linked loan (SLL) valued at £220m, maturing in 2026. As the group’s main source of debt funding for the delivery of its private development pipeline, this revolving credit facility was last renewed

Read More »
Luxury Apartment Development at Salford Quays Is Available

Luxury Apartment Development at Salford Quays Is Available

Aspen Woolf, a property investment firm, has announced that Mariners Wharf, the new luxury apartment complex set to be built at Salford Quays is now open for reservations to future residents. The new 30 story apartment complex, with 158 luxury apartments available on pre-sale, is being built by developer Fortis Group.

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Essex Housebuilder Introduces Energy-Efficient New-Build Homes

Essex Housebuilder Introduces Energy-Efficient New-Build Homes

With household bills set to rise, there has never been a better time to buy an energy-efficient new-build home, says an Essex housebuilder. With experts forecasting that the ongoing gas and electricity supply crisis could see domestic fuel bills increase by hundreds of pounds a year, those looking to move

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Latest Issue
Issue 326 : Mar 2025

Cristina Diaconu

Vogue UK Investment Opportunity with Kartell UK

Vogue UK Investment Opportunity with Kartell UK

The UK’s largest British designer and manufacturer of premium radiators and towel warmers, Vogue (UK), look ahead with renewed enthusiasm as new development opportunities are expected following investment by Kartell UK, one of the largest and fastest-growing suppliers of heating and bathroom products to the independent merchant and showroom sector in the UK.  “Vogue is something I am very proud of, offering a renowned history which has been developed by a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce over the last 30 years. In this post-pandemic environment, I am confident the investment from Alex and Kartell will enable future growth and secure an exciting future for Vogue, all its staff and the Kartell Group,” explains Raymond Tunks, one of the founders. Kartell’s investment in Vogue (UK) will support further growth across the UK and internationally, adding to the market presence Vogue already has in the US, as well as enable a more comprehensive range of products and services to be offered by both brands. “When the opportunity to partner with the team at Vogue arose we immediately identified the strategic fit this acquisition represents and we are delighted to announce the deal. Everyone at Kartell is excited about working with Ray, Rob and the team at Vogue to address the multiple market opportunities in the UK, Europe and International export markets. Our shared focus of best-in-class quality and service will bring added value to all of the group’s customers and stakeholders,” says Alex Norford, CEO of Kartell. Vogue (UK) will continue to operate autonomously, remaining a stand-alone manufacturing and design business within the Kartell group under the guidance of the existing, highly experienced management team. This will all be supported by ongoing integration and leadership support from the founders of Vogue (UK), Raymond Tunks and Rob Kelley, respectively. “Vogue’s success can be attributed to the continual endeavour to provide the best in class service and high quality products to our markets and customers. We wanted to find the ideal home for the business to complement and accelerate the work we have done as a team over the last 30 years and believe that Alex and the wider Kartell group are the right people to take Vogue forward,” adds Robert Kelley. Vogue (UK) is the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of quality towel warmers, designer radiators and heating accessories, with market leading eco-credentials since 1990 and here’s to the next 30 years!

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Vonder Launches All in One Living Concept in Wembley

Vonder Launches All in One Living Concept in Wembley

Vonder, the global lifestyle brand, has revealed its ‘all-in-one living’ concept with the opening of its latest flagship project, Vonder Wembley. Comprising 313 apartments with on-site amenities across over 160,000 sq ft of space, Vonder Wembley pioneers the all-inclusive living model of providing renters with everything they need for both their personal and professional lives. Located at 1 Olympic Way, next to Wembley Park Tube and just a few minutes’ walk from the renowned stadium, Vonder Wembley spans 15 floors and offers 174 studios, 121 one-bedroom apartments, and 18 three-bedroom apartments. The flats all come fully furnished with a contemporary stylish design for Vonder members – Vonderers – to enjoy. Taking urban living to a whole new level, Vonder Wembley also includes state-of-the-art amenities such as 73 co-working desks and three conference rooms, a 1,250 sq ft fitness studio, a yoga room, a 18-seat cinema, reception area with pool table, foosball, televisions and communal kitchens and bike storage. In addition, the 14th floor of Vonder Wembley presents a 18,000 sq ft exclusive members’ lounge that can accommodate up to 50 people. The lounge will host community and cultural events and provides spectacular panoramic views of the capital. Designed by Vonder’s in-house design team, the ‘all-in-one living’ spaces have been inspired by the building, its setting, and the lifestyles of the Vonderers. The bright colourways, reflect the vibrant nature of Wembley, and are complemented by designer furniture from a mixture of Scandinavian, British and Italian brands. Commenting on the scheme for Vonder Wembley, Tomer Bercoviz, CEO and Co-founder of Vonder, said: “’All-in-one living’ is a new concept that reflects the ever-changing lifestyles of younger renters. Hybrid working and a greater focus on achieving an optimum work-life balance means that people are looking for something that provides them with more for their money. Vonder Wembley is a direct response to the needs of young renters, providing them with high quality, well-designed and inspiring spaces in which they can live, work and socialise. All the communal spaces can be booked easily via our Vonder App, which also allows our members to interact with each other and enjoy additional value-added services. “The response from renters has been incredibly positive, with demand outstripping supply for the first phases of apartments available. Vonder Wembley demonstrates that by listening to renters, thinking creatively, and working with the right partners, a new and highly relevant approach can be delivered in such a competitive rental market as London.” This flagship development, Vonder Wembley, join Vonder’s existing London property schemes including Vonder Skies, Vonder Hill, Vonder Shoreditch, Vonder Village and many more, and will continue to strengthen the growth of Vonder’s international portfolio of over 30 locations spread across London, Berlin, Munich, Warsaw and Dubai. The company is also in active negotiations to increase its portfolio in the UK, the US and continental Europe as it rolls out the ‘all-in-one living’ concept.

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Groundbreaking for Net Zero Carbon Residential Development

Groundbreaking for Net Zero Carbon Residential Development

Gresham House and ilke Homes have cause for celebration, as of 30th November the organisations officially broke ground at their first partnership zero carbon development at Hope Green in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Delivered by ilke Homes and funded by Gresham House, via its evergreen UK limited partnership Gresham House Residential Secure Income LP (GH ReSI LP), the development at Hope Green is set to become one of the first and largest operational net zero carbon residential developments to be delivered in the country. Sales launch off plan in January 2022 and will be marketed by the sales and marketing team at SO Resi exclusively for shared ownership. Due to additional investment by Gresham House more than two-thirds of the properties at Hope Green will include innovative technology meaning the houses will generate enough energy to become operationally carbon neutral. Crucially, the boilers will be replaced with air source heat pumps, which require just a third of the energy of conventional heating systems. In addition, photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed which will generate electricity to support the functionality of the home. Gresham House have worked with ilke Homes to build in other sustainable measures including highly insulated homes, efficient LED lighting, and water fittings. Alistair Wardell, Investment Director within Gresham House’s Housing team comments: “It is vital that corporations consider the long-term sustainability implications for delivering residential housing. This is particularly the case for the affordable housing sector, where more acute financial constraints generally preclude investment into greener living and technology. We are proud to be working in partnership with ilke Homes to deliver Hope Green, as the first of several pioneering residential developments in the pipeline for the partnership, which is seeking to break the mould while working towards a greener future. With most houses being upgraded to operational zero carbon, our investment at Hope Green is helping to create a genuinely affordable development for future homeowners alleviating fuel poverty issues whilst protecting the environment. “Gresham House’s aim to invest in better placemaking through sustainable innovation is supported by the ilke Homes’ fully modular construction method. The homes are built in a factory setting, which allows for greater build efficiencies with significantly less waste and reduced carbon emissions during the construction process. The speed of delivery to site, provides enhanced returns from the development and means the model can deliver much-needed housing at a rate closer to market demand.”

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Abode Appoints Frank Cassidy as Project Engineer

Abode Appoints Frank Cassidy as Project Engineer

Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions is delighted to welcome Frank Cassidy, newly appointed Project Engineer within its Design & Quality Department to support and manage a wide range of exciting projects and development opportunities currently ongoing, planned-in or new to both brand and business. “I have always been resolved to improving and refining processes to create the best possible, quality products for the end user and so it was an easy decision for me to accept the offer to join Abode. The in-house product design and development team, which is based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire is renowned for its industry-wide commitment to delivering market leading products – year in, year out. I am therefore eager to make an impression and be at the forefront of brand development alongside some of the company’s best award-winning designers,” commented Frank Cassidy, newly appointed Project Engineer at Abode. Frank’s new role will largely impact future growth as Abode enters a new phase of business evolution in 2022 with a series of product innovations and new commercial prospects to be unveiled next year. His previous role as Quality, Technical & Maintenance Manager for a leading kitchen manufacturer saw him responsible for tooling development and process improvements, which will be put to good use given the level of excellence and ingenuity on offer at Abode.  “We are thrilled to welcome Frank to the Adobe family and are keen to harness his extensive industry experience to focus on generating new market potential for our portfolio of products. With over 34 years’ experience and extensive technical knowledge, his addition will be a genuine advantage to us as we continue to develop the Abode brand over future years,” said Matthew Pitt, Managing Director at Abode. “Frank is so tuned in to our company values and for us, tap and sink design is not just about problem solving, it’s a real skill. Our mission has always been to deliver the right mix of aspirational design, quality, performance and product evaluation and I am confident Frank will help strengthen our position market-wide,” added Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode.

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Shanly Wins Housebuilder of the Year Award

Shanly Wins Housebuilder of the Year Award

Shanly Homes has taken home the Housebuilder of the Year award at the 2021 Thames Valley Property Awards. The award was presented during the gala evening held at Ascot Racecourse on Thursday 9th December. Privately owned and headquartered in Beaconsfield, Shanly has been building high quality homes across the Thames Valley and South East England for over fifty years. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the performance of Shanly’s Thames Valley division has remained strong. Group Residential Managing Director, Tim Nutt accepted the award on behalf of Shanly Homes. He commented: “We are delighted to receive the Thames Valley Property Award for Housebuilder of the Year recognising the success of our team, supported by our fantastic contractors and partners in what has been a very challenging year. We are committed to creating sustainable, innovative developments that deliver environmental and community value to improve quality of life for people that live and spend time there. What we have achieved for example at Waterside Quarter in Maidenhead has been pivotal in the regeneration of the town, creating an attractive and integrated riverside destination for all the community to enjoy.” The Thames Valley is Shanly’s heartland where flagship developments include Waterside Quarter in Maidenhead and Merchants Place in Aylesbury. These are significant schemes in terms of shaping the future of these town centres, not only delivering new homes, but also exciting public realm and outdoor space to create places where communities will thrive. Homes built by Shanly Homes appeal to a wide range of homeowners including first time buyers, families and downsizers. With its market leading standards of customer service and quality, many of the schemes have sold out rapidly this year. As well as building outstanding new homes, Shanly also prioritises making a positive contribution to communities across the Thames Valley. The Shanly Foundation was set up as the company’s charitable arm and has in its lifetime contributed in excess of £25 million to good causes. Its Coronavirus emergency response fund donated almost £185,000 worth of funds to over 100 local charities and community projects in the Thames Valley and wider area.

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Final Homes for Sale at Former Police HQ Site in Stafford

Final Homes for Sale at Former Police HQ Site in Stafford

All but a few homes have now been sold at two developments which are transforming the former Staffordshire police headquarters site in Stafford into a new residential neighbourhood. Bellway West Midlands is delivering a total of 141 new homes on the site, off Cannock Road, with 111 properties at Baswich Grange and 30 at neighbouring Berswick Manor. Two homes are still waiting to be released for sale across the two developments, with just the four-bedroom Alder showhome and the five-bedroom Bransford house type yet to be released, at Baswich Grange. A total of five homes are currently available for purchase at both developments, including four at Baswich Grange and one final plot at Berswick Manor. The final properties available to purchase include a mix of three, four and five-bedroom houses, with prices starting from £255,500. Work started on the new homes at Baswich Grange at the end of 2018, with Berswick Manor launching last year to provide an additional range of luxury four and five-bedroom detached houses. Construction on both sites at the former police site in Stafford is on track to be complete by June 2022. “Only the final few homes remain for sale at our two Stafford developments. Built on the former police headquarters site, this new neighbourhood has a fascinating history and it’s been positive to have been able to transform this brownfield land for the benefit of both the new residents and people in the existing community, with significant investment also generated for local facilities,” said Marie Richards, Sales Director of Bellway West Midlands. “Due to the location of the developments, residents can not only reap the rewards and advantages of living in a new-build home, but also within an already thriving and well-established popular area,” Marie continued. “Berswick Manor, like Baswich Grange, is a highly desirable development with the added element of greater privacy and seclusion. All the homes at Berswick Manor have an impressive design, set within large gardens and surrounded by tree-lined public open space. Both sites benefit from the array of local amenities in the town centre, just over two miles from home, as well as residents having access to well-regarded local schools and being within a commutable distance of Birmingham city centre.” As part of Bellway’s planning agreement with Stafford Borough Council, the housebuilder is contributing nearly £1 million to local services, including more than £780,000 towards education in the area, more than £120,000 for open space, more than £110,000 towards sports facilities and £30,000 for highway improvements.

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The Most Popular Carpet Colour of 2021

The Most Popular Carpet Colour of 2021

Although carpets have a reputation of being a boring – and typically beige – necessity, 2021 has seen some bolder and brighter carpet colour trends come through, including royal blue, forest green, dusty pink, mustard yellow and geometric patterns. According to JustServicesGroup.com, who analysed global Google search volumes, ‘grey’ is the firm favourite among customers buying a carpet, with the colour receiving 88,620 monthly searches. Whilst the past few years has seen more colourful and exciting carpet options coming through, people have preferred to stick with neutral tones for their interior decorations. As a result ‘grey’ comes in first in the top 10 ranking. Moving away from the simplicity of grey was ‘blue’, which was second on the list with an average of 17,400 monthly searches. The most popular ‘blue’ search terms included midnight, ‘duck egg’, ‘royal’ and ‘teal’ – in terms of blue patterns ‘herringbone’ was amongst the most searched for.  Third in the top 10 was ‘black’, which reflects darker paint trends of the past few years. The brooding colour had 15,460 average monthly searches, and was followed by white (12,680) and green (11,780). Classic beige also appeared in the top 10, placing in position seven with 7,690 average monthly searches. The 10 most popular carpet colours of 2021 were:  Grey: 88,620 monthly searches Blue: 17,400 monthly searches Black: 15,460 monthly searches White: 12,680 monthly searches Green: 11,780 monthly searches Brown: 10,190 monthly searches Beige: 7,690 monthly searches Patterned: 5,870 monthly searches Pink: 5,350 monthly searches Silver: 4,240 monthly searches Interior designer Rita Chulani said: “For most homes and commercial spaces the durability and neutrality of greys, blacks and blues always works with a modern to bring a warm cohesiveness to most areas. In 2021 there has been a slight turn to warm beiges with a hint of grey to a colour that we have coined as ‘greige’. “Sticking to neutral beiges and grey carpets certainly helps to follow trends and personal likes for certain colours in fabrics for drapery, cushions and upholstery.”  Co-founder of JustServicesGroup.com Chris Burls said: “There are so many options for carpets whether it’s a large patterned rug or a neutral fitted carpet, it can be the perfect way to bring a room together. It doesn’t just have aesthetic value, it also has great insulation benefits in the colder months and can help to effectively retain heat in a home.  “Whilst past years have seen more colourful and patterned carpets become more popular, we’re not surprised to see that our research has uncovered that a more neutral colour like grey is the most favoured.”

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The Hill Group Completes Portfolio Refinance

The Hill Group Completes Portfolio Refinance

he Hill Group, the UK’s second-largest privately-owned housebuilder, has completed the full portfolio refinance in the first major sustainability-linked loan (SLL) valued at £220m, maturing in 2026. As the group’s main source of debt funding for the delivery of its private development pipeline, this revolving credit facility was last renewed in December 2017 for £200m but has now been increased to £220m, with household UK banks; Lloyds Bank, NatWest, HSBC and Santander, each committing to a £55m loan. The refinance will support the Group’s five-year plan to double the size of the business to £1.2bn by 2025. “Our sustainability-linked loan refinancing is an important step in our overarching group vision to become a leading sustainable housebuilder in the UK. We are extremely pleased with the confidence that these leading banks have placed in our long-term development plans,” said Tony Parker, Finance Director at Hill. The new SLL will fund Hill’s long term development projects including multiple award- winning Knights Park development in Cambridge; Woolwich Leisure Centre, a mixed-used regeneration project comprising 500 new homes and community facilities, and the regeneration of the Teviot Estate in Tower Hamlets, London. Using the SLL for its portfolio refinance, Hill will benefit from a lower interest cost as their green credentials increase in the future. This is based on four sustainability linked criteria – biodiversity net gain, reducing operational carbon, reducing scope 1&2 carbon and the company’s overall sustainability rating as measured by the NextGeneration scoring system. David Cleary, Head of Housing at Lloyds who acted as sustainability co-ordinator for the deal, added: “We are delighted to have helped complete the refinancing of The Hill Group’s assets in partnership with NatWest, HSBC and Santander in our first SLL of the year in the housebuilding sector. It is a great step towards achieving a more sustainable future and we hope to see more housebuilders follow suit in the near future.”

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Luxury Apartment Development at Salford Quays Is Available

Luxury Apartment Development at Salford Quays Is Available

Aspen Woolf, a property investment firm, has announced that Mariners Wharf, the new luxury apartment complex set to be built at Salford Quays is now open for reservations to future residents. The new 30 story apartment complex, with 158 luxury apartments available on pre-sale, is being built by developer Fortis Group. It will offer “picturesque views of the Salford waterfront, complete with a rooftop garden”. The apartments will be an ideal home for those looking to live close to Manchester City Centre, Salford Quays, and the vibrant MediaCityUK. Mariners Wharf is the new buy-to-let development to be situated along the Salford Quayside, which has become a dream location for young professionals. The apartments will be a short walk from hundreds of restaurants, shops, bars, and public transport options in and out of Manchester. The apartments will be in walking distance (5-minute walk) to the iconic MediaCityUK, the quayside development park home to the Quayside Lifestyle Retail Outlet, Imperial War Museum North, BBC, and ITV Studios, the Lowry Theatre and Gallery and a wide range of waterside activities. Mariners Wharf will offer an awe-inspiring private rooftop garden for residents, an on-site gym, concierge service, secure cycle storage, and car parking facilities (including electric charging points). The private communal rooftop garden will offer a stunning, unique view of the Salford Waterfront. Developers Fortis Group say many of the uniquely styled features of the 1, 2 & 3 bed apartments available at Mariners Wharf are being designed in response to the new post-pandemic world. After a year locked inside, many people are now looking for property with outside space and features that offer the ultimate luxury when working from home. Mariners Wharf could prove an outstanding opportunity for buy-to-let investors. Property prices in Salford are expected to enjoy a 30.5% increase in the next 4 years. As property opportunities are increasingly running out alongside Salford Waterfront, property in the area is in high demand. Investment firm Aspen Woolf are offering buy-to-let apartments at Mariners Wharf with just a 25% down payment needed. Due to open in 2024, sales at Mariners Wharf will officially open in the coming months, but Aspen Woolf are currently taking pre-launch reservations to enable early bird investors to secure access with just a 25% deposit. Apartments will start from £149,245. Mariners Wharf is being built at Fortis Quay, a new property complex that already homes two new-build residential towers. It will be built next door to the Northill Apartments which is due to open next month.

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Essex Housebuilder Introduces Energy-Efficient New-Build Homes

Essex Housebuilder Introduces Energy-Efficient New-Build Homes

With household bills set to rise, there has never been a better time to buy an energy-efficient new-build home, says an Essex housebuilder. With experts forecasting that the ongoing gas and electricity supply crisis could see domestic fuel bills increase by hundreds of pounds a year, those looking to move could help reduce that financial hit on the family budget by choosing a new-build home. The energy savings that can be made by buying new have been known for a while. Research by the National House Building Council and Zero Carbon Hub in 2013 showed that a new-build four-bedroom detached home could save a family £1,400 per year in fuel bills as compared to a Victorian property of the same style – with a new home being up to 57 per cent cheaper to run. Jason Colmer, sales and marketing director for Vistry Eastern, which is currently building new homes in Saffron Walden and Frinton-on-Sea, said that energy efficiency improvements offered as standard by new-build properties are now a key draw for prospective customers considering a home purchase. “Our new homes offer double-glazed windows and doors, insulation in the walls, ground floor and loft and are fitted with modern energy-efficient boilers,” he said. “One of our new homes is, on average, 65 per cent more energy efficient and generates more than 60 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions than a similar Victorian property, according to the Home Builders Federation data. “Research has shown that new-build homes can offer substantial savings, even before the predicted hike in costs due to the current energy supply crisis. What people also get with a new home from Vistry Eastern is the peace of mind that comes with a 10-year National House Building Council guarantee and our own two-year customer service guarantee. “There has never been a better time for buyers to opt for a new-build home. Choosing a new home from Vistry Eastern makes sense on many levels, not least that in doing so a family could save hundreds of pounds every year on their gas or electricity bills.” Vistry Group was formed in 2020 by bringing together Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships. The Vistry Eastern region is currently building homes across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

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