Leicester

Leicestershire takes its name from its county town of Leicester, which enjoys good transport links with the M1 motorway and a direct train route into London. The county boasts a wide range of housing options, including a vast array of new-build apartments and new houses for sale.

Wilson Bowden Developments has been granted planning permission by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles for the construction of 250 new homes in Leicester, as part of a major mixed-use development, following a public local inquiry and appeal by the housebuilder earlier this year.

New home builder Miller Homes has reported a sharp rise in off-plan sales during the second quarter of 2011, with off-plan new homes in East Midlands a

Located in almost the centre of the country, Leicester is very well connected in terms of transport links, with its proximity to the M1 motorway. It's also a key stop for trains going to and from London on the Midland Main Line, running straight into London St Pancras station, giving residents easier access to the continent via Eurostar services.

The way new homes are constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, are all changing, as more new home builders seek to reduce carbon emissions and reduce the cost of running a property.

Redrow is helping first time buyers get their foot on the property ladder with their easi:buy shared equity scheme at Rossendale Gardens, ten miles south west of Leicester in the ancient town of Earl Shilton. With easi:buy, a first time buyer can put down just five per cent of the purchase price of their new home and find a mortgage for 80% of the value of the property.

With only three new homes left unsold on the current phase at their Havelock Gardens development in Thurmaston, housebuilder Benfield Homes is celebrating the success of the scheme and winning the praise of the new residents. The gated apartment development is located in a village to the north of Leicester, close to the River Soar and the Watermead Country Park.

Demand for new build homes in the Leicester suburb of Humberstone is growing with new homes by Crest Nicholson reportedly selling fast.

Following the sell-out success of Albermarle Park, the new home developer launched The Pines in May. The gated new home development offers a selection of three, four and five-bedroom homes that are proving popular.

A decision on an application to build 3,500 new houses on the outskirts of Leicester is expected to be made next month.

The Ashton Green development, located between Beaumont Leys and Birstall, is planned by Leicester City Council to help cope with the region's expanding population.

A show home built by new home developer David Wilson East Midlands has been selected as the backdrop for Dunelm Mill's latest national marketing campaign, Get the Look.

The household furnisher, whose head offices are in Syston, utilised the four-bedroom detached Eaton style showhome at The Chestnuts development to photograph various home ware in situ.

The kitchen of the showhome was chosen as the setting due to its modern and contemporary appearance not to mention its stylish décor that housed the kitchen and dining ware perfectly.