South East of England new homes news in brief - week commencing 28th February 2011

This week's news in brief as featured on our regular fortnightly new homes newsletter...

13-year battle ends as 1,900 Crawley new homes get go-ahead

Following years of inquires and legal disputes, permission has finally been granted for 1,900 new homes in West Sussex at Tinsley Green, to the north of Crawley. Uncertainty over the proposed second runway at nearby Gatwick Airport also contributed to the epic stalemate, which has now reached an end after Community Secretary Eric Pickles granted outline planning permission for the scheme.

Critic were concerned that the second runway would create too much noise for new residents housed on the site. With the Coalition ruling out the possibility of the new runway, Mr Pickles decided that the time was right to give the development proposals the green light to proceed. Some 40% of the new scheme will be given over to affordable homes.

"This decision means we can now plan the future of the town with more certainty," says Crawley Borough Council spokesman. "A new neighbourhood will help the council reduce the pressure on housing elsewhere in the borough."

Developer appointed to create 4,500 new homes in Aldershot

Defence Estates and the Homes and Communities Agency have collaborated to appoint Grainger to create a mixed-use scheme on surplus military land providing new-build homes in Aldershot. The scheme will incorporate 4,500 new homes along with schools, leisure facilities and community amenities at the Aldershot Urban Extension site to the north of the town centre. The historic Cambridge Military Hospital building will also be restored and converted as part of the development.

"Aldershot is an extremely exciting opportunity and we are delighted to have been selected," says Andrew Cunningham, chief executive of Grainger. "The development will make a large and lasting contribution to the area, creating a successful and sustainable place to live."

Colin Molton, Executive Director at the HCA, says: "We are setting high standards for Grainger, which will deliver well-designed, sustainable new and affordable homes in Aldershot. I look forward to taking the next steps with our partners to transform the land at Aldershot Garrison into a new and thriving development."

Great choice of new and affordable new homes in Surrey

There are a number of new housing developments in Surrey on the market at present. House hunters hoping to find a property there will see it offers everything from five-bedroom family living to one-bedroom affordable new apartments and starter homes. A great road and rail network, pleasant towns and villages, great schools and health facilities and terrific countryside make it a very appealing place to live.

Amomng the new homes currently on offer: the height of luxury in Oxshott at Banner Homes' development of five-bedroom homes from £1.5 million; beautiful mews houses and a lodge house from Consero Homes in leafy Weybridge prices from £895,000; luxury apartments and houses in the Mole Valley from Bewley Homes in Ashtead, from £350,000; part-buy/part-rent apartments and maisonettes from L&Q Housing Association in Esher from £60,500; a 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment in lovely Redhill from £37,500 through Thames Valley Housing; and a quarter-share of a one-bedroom apartment in Croydon from Moat, via Housing Options, costing just £35,000.

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First Time Buyer awards nominations announced

Almost 20 new home developers and housing associations have been shortlisted for an accolade at this year's First Time Buyer Readers' Awards 2011.

Sarah Garrett, managing editor of First Time Buyer Magazine, says: "We are really happy with our 2011 shortlist, as it is filled with very exciting schemes and initiatives. These awards are a great opportunity for developers and associations to be congratulated for the important work they do in our communities and we are confident this year's event will be even more successful."

The First Time Buyer Readers' Awards take place on Friday 8th April at the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, London.

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