The Property Magazine New Homes Winter 2018-19

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW HOMES 

The 

THEPROPERTYMAGAZINE.COM WINTER 2019 

PROPERTY 

Magazine NEW HOMES 

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ME UP 

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FROM YOUR LOCAL 

SUPERMARKET 

PLAN 

AHEAD 

FOR A GREAT 

LOOKING 

GARDEN IN 

SPRING 

in 

le 

IN THIS 

ISSUE 

recharge after a long day. 

, watching TV or drifting off 

that allows us to stretch out, 

medly comfortable. To make 

edroom space, take a look at 

Tips… 

s 

• Sleep in 

Style - get 

unashamedly 

comfortable 

with danetti 

NEW HOMES PROPERTY NEWS – OXFORDSHIRE & SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE 

styling, you need to know 

complete with the following: 

Pillows 

anetti!) 

Top Tip 

OXFORD, BANBURY, BICESTER, LEAMINGTON SPA, WARWICK, SHIPSTON ON STOUR.... 

To keep a velvet bed 

looking neat and dust 

As seen on TV! 

DREAM OF BUILDING OR BUYING A HOME 

THAT IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY? 

TAKE A LOOK AT GRAVEN HILL - A NEW KIND 

OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 

IN BICESTER 

Turin Feather Grey Storage Bed 

• Bedroom GRAVEN Styling HILL, 

CUSTOM 

When deciding on your style of bed frame, consider 

the existing colours and textures of other items in 

your room. Side tables and bedside lamps, like 

our Plaza Stool and Teo Table Lamp, are a 

great 

BUILD 

way to help coordinate 

AND 

the look and 

tie the whole space together. 

SELF BUILD 

IN BICESTER 

Plaza Velvet Stool 

Drawers VS Ottoman Storage 

What you want to store in your bed will help you choose 

the type of storage you need. If you’re looking to house 

things you need regularly, opt for a bed with drawers as 

this allows for easy access. 

Top Tip 

When it comes to beds 

with a fixed frame, 

measure the height from 

the floor to the underside 

of the bed as this may 

allow for storage space 

underneath. 

Myla Velvet Bed With Drawers 

• Independent 

living – Luxury 

Retirement living 

in Wantage 

• DEVELOPMENT 

NEWS

Set in the heart of North Oxfordshire, Heyford 

Park provides a quintessential village environment, 

combining picturesque rural views with familyfriendly 

facilities. 

Heyford Park is conveniently located near to the fastgrowing 

market town of Bicester, meaning a selection 

of shops and restaurants are just a short drive away, 

whilst excellent transport links provide unrivalled 

access to the rest of the UK. 

This unique destination, with its rich and colourful 

heritage, offers an exclusive collection of new-build 

homes that blend contemporary living spaces with the 

tranquillity of a rural backdrop.

Heyford Park has, and continues, to evolve around its growing community. Situated 6 miles from 

Bicester, 16 miles from Oxford centre and 3.5 miles from junction 10 of the M40, Heyford Park provides 

unrivalled access to the rest of the UK. 

The external photography is of the Fairfax and Rushworth and the internal photography is of the Rushworth. We reserve the right to vary the specification. Details are correct at time of print, January 2019. Terms 

and conditions apply.

where your 

story begins 

Every story starts somewhere... 

where will your somewhere be? 

With the endless possibilities and memories to 

be made, begin your story with Bovis Homes. 

Because a new story deserves 

a new home to start it in! 

We have a number of purchase assistance schemes 

to help get you moving. Call for more information. 

A stunning collection 

2 to 5 bedroom homes 

available at 

Hadden Grove 

Didcot OX11 9BZ 

01235 375001 

Faringdon Fields 

Faringdon SN7 7JX 

01367 607003 

Show homes open 

daily 10am - 5pm 

bovishomes.co.uk

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE / NEW HOMES 

WINTER 2019 


Editor's 

Letter… 



CONTENTS 

What you want to store in your bed will help you ch 

the type of storage you need. If you’re looking to h 

things you need regularly, opt for a bed with drawe 


Here we are in 2019 and what an 

exciting year it is shaping up to be! 

We will be following Graven Hill 

throughout 2019 with their self and 

custom build project in Bicester, and look 

forward to bringing you case studies of 

home owners that are creating some 

fantastic individual properties. 

Bed buying tips 

by danetti 

6 

Bedroom Styling 


Sheena is helping us get our gardens 


ready for spring – will you be inspired 


to create a plant covered pergola? 

our 

I can 

Plaza Stool and Teo Table Lamp, are a 

think of nothing more relaxing than great to way to help coordinate the look and 

sit beneath a sweet smelling wisteria, tie the whole space together. 

book in hand and a glass of something 

chilled resting nearby. 

Developments continue to offer some 

fabulous locations on the edges of the 

beautiful Oxfordshire and Warwickshire 

countryside. Across the region we 

are seeing a flux of new homes for 

independent living – retirement living 

is now something to be excited about, 

freeing yourself up to enjoy life. 

Our exciting pancake recipe should set 

you up for pancake day and to keep fit, 

if you can, why not add a pool to the 

garden or find some great work-out 

space in your home. 

21 

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE 

Getting the right 

DEVELOPMENT 

combination of bed frame 

NEWS and mattress will not only 

improve the versatility of 22 

Myton Green the residential 

the bed, it’ll also improve A FABULOUS RECIPE 

development in Warwick 

your comfort and FOR PANCAKE DAY 

nears the halfway mark 

quality of sleep. AND EVERY DAY 

Email: hello@thepropertymagazine.com 

Telephone: 01789 209091 / 07484 713455 

www.thepropertymagazine.com 

EDITORIAL & DESIGN PRODUCTION 

Editor: Jane Lees 

Email: jane@thepropertymagazine.com 

Design: Mark Jowett 

Email: mark@independentnewspapers.co.uk 

18 

Let us know about developments you 

have been out and about visiting 

Get 

and we 

Creative... 

Retirement Living 

will share experiences in the next Switch issue. up your styling and have pendants 

Discover Renaissance Retirement’s Fleur-de-Lis 

hello@thepropertymagazine.com 

either side of your bed. It not only saves 

development in Wantage 

space but looks incredibly sleek too. 

Happy house hunting! 

e you buy, 

urself: 

e bed come with a 

ard? 

re storage options? 

ll the bed be 

d? 

Jane 

ttress included? 

oes the 

JANE 

bed’s 

LEES 

Editor 

tee cover? 

t through my door? 

Visit our website 

thepropertymagazine.com 

Add us on Facebook 

propertymagoxon 

Follow us on Twitter 

@propertymagoxon 

Good to Know 

ADVERTISING 

Media Sales: Francois Procureur, Jane Stanley 

Sales Enquiries: sales@thepropertymagazine.com 

DISTRIBUTION 

Top Tip 





14 GARDENING of the bed as this may 

Sheena Marsh plans ahead with getting 

allow 

the garden 

for storage space 

ready for Spring 

underneath. 

Make your bedroom a snuggly, hygge 

space with chunky knits and sheepskin 

rugs. It’s these soft elements which will 

create that cosy cocoon you won’t 

want to leave. 


HOUSE & 

HOME 

Fancy a swim in the garden? 

Distribution by: Self Select Distribution Ltd. 

Across Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and 

selected Co-Operative Stores. 


10 

Gravel Hill 

What you need to know about this exciting 

Self and Custom Build project in Bicester 

Pedro Ash Grey Storage Bed 

HOUSE & 

HOME 

17 

Items you want to store for longer periods of time, 

winter coats and bedding, would be better stored i 

20 

ottoman bed as this offers more stability and spac 

Create a family 

fitness room 

COVER PHOTO – Artists impression 

of Graven Hill – (page 10). 

When you have finished with this 

magazine please recycle it. The Property 

Magazine is committed to recycling. 

Copyright © The Property Magazine – All 

rights reserved. No part of this publication 

may be reproduced copied or transmitted 

in any form or by any means or stored in 

any information storage or retrieval system 

without the publishers written permission. 

Although every effort is made to ensure the 

accuracy and reliability of material published, 

The Property Magazine cannot accept any 

responsibility for the veracity of the claims 

made by advertisers. The views expressed are 

not necessarily the views of the publisher. 

Carina Ocean Velvet 

5

Sleep in 


Style 

Bed Buying Tips by 

Your bedroom is where you recharge after a long day. 

Whether you’re sat reading, watching TV or drifting off 

to sleep, we all want a bed that allows us to stretch out, 

snuggle up and get unashamedly comfortable. To make 

the most of your bed and bedroom space, take a look at 

some of our Bedroom Top Tips… 

B 

W 

th 

yo 

ou 

gr 

tie 

Bedroom Essentials 

Before we get into bedroom styling, you need to know 

your basics. No bedroom is complete with the following: 

• Decent Mattress 

• High-Quality Duvet and Pillows 

• Statement Bed (from Danetti!) 

• Lighting 

• Soft furnishings 

Consider Your Space 

Could you downsize your current bed frame to 

make more use of your room? Or upsize if you 

have the space? Consider what’s more important: 

extra flooring or extra bed space. If you don't yet 

have a bed in your room, get a feel for the 

sizing by using masking tape or a piece of 

cardboard to mark out where it’ll sit. 

Build the Look 

Rene Midnight Velvet Bed 

Top Tip 

To keep a velvet bed 

looking neat and dust 

free, use a sticky lint 

roller. It’s easy to use 

and your bed will be 

clean in seconds! 

Pablo Table Lamp Acute Side Table 

Before you buy, 

ask yourself: 

• Does the bed come with a 

headboard? 

• Are there storage options? 

• How will the bed be 

delivered? 

• Is a mattress included? 

• What does the bed’s 

guarantee cover? 

• Will it fit through my door? 

G 

Sw 

eit 

sp 

M 

sp 

ru 

cr 

wa



What you want to store in your bed will help you choose 

the type of storage you need. If you’re looking to house 

things you need regularly, opt for a bed with drawers as 



Bedroom Styling 




our Plaza Stool and Teo Table Lamp, are a 

great way to help coordinate the look and 

Top Tip 

tie the whole space together. 





of the bed as this may 

allow for storage space 

underneath. 


Get Creative... 

Switch up your styling and have pendants 

either side of your bed. It not only saves 

space but looks incredibly sleek too. 

Pedro Ash Grey Storage Bed 

Items you want to store for longer periods of time, like 

winter coats and bedding, would be better stored in a 

ottoman bed as this offers more stability and space. 

Good to Know 

Getting the right 

combination of bed frame 

and mattress will not only 

improve the versatility of 

the bed, it’ll also improve 

your comfort and 

quality of sleep. 

Make your bedroom a snuggly, hygge 

space with chunky knits and sheepskin 

rugs. It’s these soft elements which will 

create that cosy cocoon you won’t 

want to leave. 

Carina Ocean Velvet Bed

Sales soaring 

in Oxfordshire 

In 2018 Savills Residential 

Development sales sold 

almost 300 new homes 

across Oxfordshire 

and Buckinghamshire 

ranging from one bed 

city centre apartments 

to six bedroom detached 

custom build homes. 

The following are a handful of 

schemes which sold out in 2018. 

Sold 

80% sold off plan 

Mill Stream House, 

Oxford, OX1 

Prestigious scheme of 59 new 

1 and 2 bedroom apartments all 

with a balcony or terrace within a 

landscaped riverside setting in the 

heart of Oxford. 

Sold 

All sold off plan with 

custom build 

The Orchard, 

West Hanney, OX11 

An exclusive development 

of 8 beautifully crafted 

detached homes. 

Savills is currently selling 15 new 

developments across Oxfordshire 

and Buckinghamshire with more 

developments due to launch soon. 

Do not miss out on owning your 

perfect new home in 2019. 

Sold 

50% sold off plan prior to 

build completion 

Deanfield meadow, 

ducklington, OX29 

A small collection of 2, 3 and 4 

bedroom homes with generous plot 

sizes located in the picturesque 

Oxfordshire village of Ducklington 

We are now recruiting for site sales 

negotiator positions across Oxfordshire 

and Buckinghamshire 

Due to a number of new sites launching with us in 2019, we are now looking 

for individuals with the following skills and qualities 

• Experience in new homes site sales essential 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 

• Strong customer service background 

• Professional and driven with passion for success 

• Ability to work self sufficiently 

• Confidence and aptitude with IT 

Please send your CV to Nicola Horner, 

Head of Department 

Nicola Horner 

Savills Oxford 

01865 339 738 

nicola.horner@savills.com

Properties 

of the month 

Savills Sumertown 

256 Banbury Road 

Summertown 

Oxford OX2 7DE 

Duchy Field, Bletchingdon, OX5 

A characterful collection of 2 - 5 bed homes, Duchy of 

Cornwall chosen architect, beautiful village location with 

an active community, Help to Buy available, EPC= B. 

Prices from £325,000* | Freehold 

Deanfield Grove, Tackley, OX5 

Small scheme of 2 - 4 beds in a vibrant village, exemplary 

construction quality, larger than average plot sizes, rail 

station with links to Oxford & Banbury, predicted EPC=B 


Woodlands, Wootton-By-Woodstock, OX20 

Small development of ten 3 bed homes in a quiet 

cul-de-sac, garages or parking, primary school and shop 

in the village, Help to Buy available, predicted EPC=C 


The Boatyard, Yarnton, OX5 

Three detached homes less than 4 miles from Oxford, all 

over 2200 sq ft, 4 beds, large gardens, rural countryside 

views, ready to occupy, by Aquinna Homes, EPC = B 


Talk to us today 

Paula Cardosi 


01865 269010 

pcardosi@savills.com 

Sarah Monier-Williams 


01865 269010 

sarah.monierwilliams@savills.com 

savills.co.uk 

*Price at time of going to print.

GRAVEN HILL 

Here’s what you need to know 

It’s time to think outside the bricks and mortar box. The Graven Hill vision is one 

without limitation; it provides an exciting opportunity for people who dream of building 

or buying a home that is out of the ordinary. Graven Hill is a new kind of housing 

development, specifically aimed at custom and self-builders, offering opportunities for 

up to 1,900 bespoke homes. 

BICESTER – WHERE 

TOWN MEETS COUNTRY 

Bicester’s links to the rest of the UK were forged 

in 1752, when coaches began running to London, 

and by 1795, the ‘Old Banbury’ coach shuttled 

between the two locations six days a week. Today, 

Bicester sees on average 39 trains make the journey 

to and from the capital on an average weekday. 

The central location of the town allows residents 

to experience the best of both worlds, uniting 

country living with urban connections. As the crow 

flies, Bicester is halfway between the UK’s largest 

cities, London and Birmingham; and convenient 

motorway links make it one of the top commuter 

hotspots, whilst still allowing residents a taste of 

country living. 

Graven Hill is located at the southern edge of 

Bicester, just 13 miles north-east of Oxford. 

Despite 12,000 people a year undertaking selfbuild 

projects, it is a well-known fact that finding 

planning-approved land in the Home Counties can 

be extremely difficult. Covering over 188 hectares 

of ex- Ministry of Defence land, Graven Hill ticks all 

the boxes with its mix of self-build and custom build 

plots, as well as apartments and affordable housing. 

Aside from its sheer size, the site boasts an 

abundance of wildlife conservation areas, wetland 

habitats and rich woodland. Upon setting foot onto 

the site, it is obvious that protecting the landscape is 

a priority at Graven Hill. Tree protection zones have 

been established and a fence around the boundary 

of the site keeps protected great crested newts 

out of the construction area, stopping them being 

harmed during any works. 

Referring to Graven Hill as simply a development 

doesn’t do it justice – it falls short of encapsulating 

the spirit at the heart of the community. There is 

an undercurrent of excitement amongst those who 

have already secured their plots and relationships 

between groups and individuals are already being 

forged within the site. 

Aside from the number of good schools in the 

Bicester area, a generous site has been reserved at 

the heart of Graven Hill for a primary school and 

playing fields. Additional local amenities such as a 

pub, community centre, retail space, green parks, 

cycle paths, play areas, and allotments have all been 

factored into the mix. 

Bicester’s location is also perfect for those looking 

for easy access to Oxford University, with the city 

only a short drive away. 

As the property market continues to evolve, buying 

houses off the shelf is becoming an outdated 

concept with more people looking to purchase 

products with customisable options. Developments 

such as Graven Hill are working on transforming 

the home from being something fit-for-purpose, to 

something truly personal. The option of a custom 

build new home at Graven Hill provides buyers with 

the flexibility to create a space that is tailored to 

their individual lifestyle and preferences, without the 

need to take on a self-build project. 

10

INTRODUCING CUSTOM 

BUILD NEW HOMES 

The Graven Hill architects have created a menu 

of stencil floorplans which range from one to 

five bedrooms – these are allocated to plots in 

accordance with their size. Graven Hill has done 

the groundwork through advance preparation of 

every site, regardless of the project type. 

Purchasers could be living in their custom build 

property within a matter of months, as many 

custom build properties are near completion. All 

that’s left after choosing the house is the most 

exciting part: customisation. 

Focus has been placed on producing stunning, 

contemporary designs, meaning that it is easy 

to create a beautiful home with light and bright 

rooms. Once a custom build property is selected, 

the internal layout and specifications can be 

modified to suit personal taste. Buyers have a pick 

of finishes and room layouts – the earlier a custom 

build property is purchased, the more scope is 

available for customisation. 

For those keen to futureproof their forever home, 

custom build options allow buyers to address their 

personal requirements early on in the process and 

tailor their properties to fit specific needs, both 

now and in the future. 

A streamlined building process for custom build 

homes doesn’t mean that corners are cut in terms of 

quality. For example, a premium kitchen with fixtures 

and fittings, including an integrated electric oven, 

hob, extractor, fridge/freezer and combined washer/ 

dryer comes as part of the custom build package. 

Furthermore, all homes are made fibre-optic ready, 

allowing superfast broadband connectivity. 

Graven Hill is also building with the environment in 

mind. The sustainability and performance standards 

set by Graven Hill exceed those of building 

regulations, resulting in a finished product which 

not only stands out from the crowd aesthetically, 

but also ecologically. By cultivating a relationship 

with experts at Passivhaus, they ensure that each 

property is built to rigorously-high energy-efficiency 

standards, meaning that it is easy to maintain a 

high quality, ultra-low energy home that is better 

for the environment, as well as for saving money. 

For some, the idea of buying a home tailored to 

both theirs and their family’s needs is a pipedream 

– something which seems impossible to save for. 

Graven Hill has covered all bases and Help to Buy 

finance is available on all custom build new homes. 

SELF-BUILD: THE 

ULTIMATE CHALLENGE, 

MADE EASIER 

For many people, buying a home from scratch is 

nothing but a distant dream. However, at Graven 

Hill, this dream can be translated into a reality. 

The development is situated on an ex-Ministry of 

Defence (MOD) site which has been granted a Local 

Development Order with self-build at its heart. 

Across the 465-acre site, self-build plots will be 

released in phases – or ‘Character Areas’ – at the 

rate of around 200 per year over the next decade. 

The plots themselves are purchased directly from 

Graven Hill, with prices varying dependent on size 

and number of bedrooms. Strict guidelines state 

that each individual home must be completed 

within two years of planning permission being 

granted – this ensures that the site is consistently 

progressing, and owners are not living adjacent to a 

building site for longer than necessary. 

One of the main objectives of the Graven Hill 

scheme is to support individuality and choice, aided 

by a streamlined planning process. The traditional 

route for gaining planning permission typically 

takes eight to 13 weeks, however, providing that 

a Graven Hill self-build project complies with the 

specific parameters that have been pre-approved 

with the council, planning applications on the 

development can be rubberstamped within 28 days. 

The Plot Passport – your ticket 

to self-build success 

The Plot Passport is an important document in the selfbuild 

process at Graven Hill and sets out everything 

a budding self-builder needs to know about that 

specific piece of land before they buy. Essentially, the 

Plot Passport is a summary of the main features of a 

self-build plot, including the rules associated with it – 

it also acts as a plan and key to assist designers with 

the production of initial sketch proposals. 

Included in the Plot Passport are details such as: 

the total size of the plot; maximum gross internal 

area you can build; where on the site the house can 

be situated; the maximum height of the building; 

external materials palettes; how and where the 

main services come onto the site and the likely 

ground conditions. Also included is information 

on the range of external finishes and roofing 

options available in a specific Character Area; and 

detail around the performance and sustainability 

requirements – it covers all bases! 

To provide even greater certainty, Cherwell District 

Council will also offer a pre-application advice 

service. If self-builders follow this advice and adhere 

to the Plot Passport, their self-build journey is 

guaranteed to start off smoothly. 

11

GRAVEN HILL 

At Graven Hill, plot owners are free to choose 

who builds their home, the pace at which to do 

so – as long as it’s within two years of completion 

of the land and foundations – and to what standard 

or specification. Some people choose to bring in 

external contractors, others prefer to roll up their 

sleeves and get stuck in themselves. 

Stuck for ideas? 

There is no need to accept a badly-designed home 

– from first-time buyers and growing families, 

to those looking to downsize and futureproof, 

learning what matters most is the first step to a 

successful self-build. Graven Hill are building a 

catalogue of example homes to inspire those who 

are new to the project and who want inspiration of 

a three-dimensional kind. 

Banishing money worries 

For those considering building their own home, cost 

and securing finance is always a worry, with many 

lenders adopting a more cautious attitude to selfbuilds, 

compared with standard new homes. Graven 

Hill has engaged with specialist mortgage brokers, 

who offer advice and support to ensure that 

financial worries don’t get in the way of the dream. 

A self-build mortgage varies slightly from a standard 

mortgage, as the money is released in stages as 

the build progresses, as opposed to in a lump sum. 

There are different ways in which the money can 

be released, and this is dependent on the type 

of products that buyers choose. The mortgage 

companies working with Graven Hill ensure that the 

release of money coincides with each key stage of 

the build, meaning self-builders have one less thing 

to think about. 

Golden Brick – what’s that? 

More savings also come from the fact that selfbuild 

projects at Graven Hill are zero-rated for VAT. 

Additionally, Graven Hill will design and build the 

foundations according to buyers’ specifications in a 

package called ‘Golden Brick’. 

Choosing this option includes a ground floor slab to 

suit the house design, installation of drainage and 

utilities, and a 10-year structural warranty on the 

new home. Graven Hill provides estimates for these 

costs, meaning that there are no nasty surprises if 

something crops up later in the course of the build. 

This simple approach to the self-build process 

gives the plot owner the maximum control on 

the delivery of their project, whilst removing the 

uncertainty and vulnerability which is associated 

with laying the foundations of any self-build. 

What’s more, Graven Hill has negotiated that plot 

owners will only pay Stamp Duty on the price of the 

plot itself and the Golden Brick foundations, rather 

than on the completed home. Upon exchanging 

contracts, work on the foundations can begin, 

setting the project on its course. 

The Graven Hill sales team manage the properties 

on a day-to-day basis so that those who are 

interested can visit and learn from projects, take 

tours of the houses and the wider development, 

and find out how to secure their own plot at this 

unique self-build and custom build site. 

It is clear to see why revolutionary projects such 

as Graven Hill are generating excitement within 

the custom and self-building community, or even 

planting the seed with those who have never 

considered designing their own home. The reality 

of a flourishing village community based around an 

ingrained passion for individuality and creativity is 

both exciting and intriguing – with each phase of 

the project that unfolds, a new dimension is added 

to a site. 

If you’re interested in hearing more about Graven 

Hill, The Plot Shop in Bicester town centre is the 

place to visit. The in-house team are keen to answer 

questions about any aspect of the development – 

from designing and planning, through to how to 

reserve a plot, securing finance, and much more. 

For more information, visit www.gravenhill.co.uk 

12

Custom Build New Homes 

Your perfect home, exactly as you want it 

in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. 

Move in 

this spring! 

2-4 bedroom 

homes from 

£300,000 

Plot 227 

3-bedroom detached home 

Price: £430,000 

Reserve for just £100! 

Plot 112 

2-bedroom terraced home 

Price: £300,000 

Move-in ready for Easter 2019! 

Plot 224 

4-bedroom detached home 

Price: £435,000 

Move in this spring! 

Plot 178 

3-bedroom detached townhouse 

Price: £395,000 

Reserve today for £100! 

Get in touch today to find out more about moving to your dream home at Graven Hill. Highly energyefficient, 

high quality homes with easy road and rail access to Oxford, London and Birmingham. 

01869 396 070 • gravenhill.co.uk 

All images are for illustrative purposes only. External details and internal specifications may vary on individual properties. Please refer to the Graven Hill Sales team for specific plot details.

GARDENING 

Getting the garden ready for Spring 

The key to having a great looking 

garden is to plan ahead, so right 

now is the time to settle yourself 

down by a warm fire with a note 

pad and pencil and begin to plan 

your 2019 garden. Whatever the 

size of the garden, take your 

time. It is far better, and you will 

be much happier with the results, 

if you first assess the various 

factors before springing into 

action later this year. 

are often existing fences and paths, add them all 

on your plan. Use a compass to make a note of 

the aspect of your garden (which way it faces in 

relation to the sun.) Aspect determines what time 

of day your garden gets the sun, where the sun 

reaches and for how long each day. If you have a 

choice of where to build a patio or seating area, 

site it in a west-facing position, where the last of 

the afternoon sun reaches. If you have a northfacing 

garden don’t despair! With a bit of thought, 

planning and careful plant selection a shady garden 

can be every bit as lush as a sunny one, and even 

more intriguing. Foxgloves, ferns and campanulas 

all look very natural under the shade of a tree. 

Firstly, make a note of your garden’s strong and 

weak points. With the trees leafless now, and most 

herbaceous plants out of sight, you can see the 

‘bones’ of your garden. Before you begin planning 

in earnest, sketch out your site on graph paper. 

Nip outside with a tape measure to take accurate 

measurements of your garden and the boundaries 

in relation to the house. Make a note of any fixed 

structures, such as the shed, existing patio areas, 

or trees. There’s usually something you will want 

to keep in a garden. In a new development, there 

14

ubiquitous Leylandii, which can quickly outgrow 

the space if left unchecked. If you want a formal, 

clipped evergreen hedge, the Holme Oak, Quercus 

Ilex, is a relatively well-behaved alternative. A good 

informal deciduous hedge can be created with the 

Ramanus Rosa, Rosa Rugosa. Its highly fragrant 

flowers and hips that last well into the autumn, give 

two seasons of interest and the prickly stems are an 

effective deterrent against intruders. 

Most gardens, whatever the size, contain a lawn 

of some sort. A common mistake is to create a 

rectangular lawn with flower beds around, giving 

no reason whatsoever to venture in when you 

and your guests can see the whole thing from a 

window. If you have a long thin garden try an oval 

or circular shaped lawn to make the garden appear 

larger and use plants to break the area up into 

different sections. Play around with different shaped 

lawns on your plan until you are pleased with 

the overall look on paper. It’s much less expensive 

to make mistakes at the planning stage and it’s 

important to get it right. 

Hedges can be used to screen eyesores, such as 

an ugly fence, and trees for obscuring views from 

neighbouring properties. Many shrubs are suitable 

for creating a hedge but please try and avoid the 

15

GARDENING 

Creating pathways in the garden is a great way 

to give it function and form. Try to avoid making 

the path go Straight from A to B, instead let it 

meander around the space and be as generous as 

you can with the width. Allow for two people to 

walk comfortably side by side. In a sunny garden, 

Lavender planted at either side of a pathway, gives 

scent, colour and attract bees in abundance. An 

archway, with scented climbers over a path creates 

a great division and focal point, leading the eye of a 

visitor on and into the rest of a garden. 

In many gardens, the area can be divided into 

separate ‘rooms,’ each with a different theme or 

purpose, but there must be a broad overview of 

the whole composition to ensure that the different 

elements are in harmony. In this example, the 

colour of the bespoke chair (supplied by Oxford 

Planters) matches the colour of the trellis work, to 

give pleasing unity. The colour theme extends to 

the extension on the property creating harmony 

between house and garden. Pergolas that lead 

from one space to another can be used to frame 

a path transitioning from one area of the garden 

to another, leading the eye to frame a view or 

entrance. The ground on either side can be used for 

planting, gently directing the eye to a focal point. 

Pergolas in a garden are an excellent way of 

extending the mood of an interior and creating 

visually an additional room outside. Providing a 

‘ceiling’ with the horizontal wooden slates hosting 

a wisteria, conjures an atmosphere of intimacy. One 

of the most attractive aspects of a plant covered 

pergola is the nature of dappled light filtering 

through foliage. Plants provide shade a privacy, 

particularly important in many town gardens. 

It is often necessary to create some sort of visual 

division between different areas of a garden, 

without completely blocking the view beyond. A 

wooden trellis is ideal for this purpose, creating 

another room with its own unique atmosphere. A 

blurred glimpse of the garden beyond tempts the 

visitor to continue exploring the space. Dividing the 

garden up in this way makes it appear larger and 

certainly more interesting than open space. 

Once you are happy with the basic structure 

of your garden on paper, you can consider the 

stars of the show – the plants. There should be 

something of interest to see in a garden whatever 

the time of year, so avoid the common mistake of 

rushing off to the local garden centre this spring 

and grabbing the plants on dazzling display that 

day. Instead, go armed with a carefully considered 

list of plants that cover all seasons and only 

buy those that are on your list. By doing a little 

advanced research on the eventual height and 

spread of plants, good colour combinations and 

choosing species that will thrive in the amount of 

sun or shade they’ll be receiving, you will reap the 

rewards later in the year. 

Sheena Marsh is owner and designer at Oxford 

Garden Design. 

See oxfordgardendesign.co.uk or email 

sheena@oxfordgardendesign.co.uk 

16

HOUSE & HOME 

Swim in your own back garden 

If someone told you they had a swimming 

pool in their back garden, then your immediate 

thought might well be that they must be 

rich. Let’s face it, we’re not living in Australia, 

where a pool in the garden is about as normal 

as grass on the lawn. This is Britain. Only the 

wealthy have swimming pools, don’t they? 

Well maybe not. You may be surprised to hear that 

it can cost as little as £3,000 to have your very own 

pool and the advantages of doing so could stay 

with you for years to come. 

Tom Holman, managing director of Fowler 

Swimming Pools, 

explains why sales at his 

company are booming. 

“Swimming pools are 

now seen as a way to 

keep the family fit with 

great exercise in your 

own surroundings,” he 

says. 

”Children love them 

and adults enjoy 

entertaining their friends 

at the poolside with 

barbecues and evening 

drinks. Even the weather 

doesn’t have to be a 

problem now because 

we can create covered 

pool areas for all-yearround 

use. With an 

estimated 6,000 pools 

Make a splash this 

summer with your 

very own pool 

built each year in the UK, the industry has never 

looked so buoyant – no pun intended.” 

”Modern pool construction methods have slashed 

both the time it takes to build a swimming pool 

and the cost,” says Richard Carrington, chairman 

of Spata (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades 

Association), the trade body for the UK swimming 

pool industry. 

If you fancy your own private pool then the options 

have never been better. The choice kicks off with 

above-ground models for the budget-conscious 

starting at about £3,000 and ranges up to fully tiled, 

reinforced concrete pools costing from £35,000. 

Holman has some words of warning before you 

take the plunge though. “By choosing a Spataregistered 

supplier or contractor, you will have the 

peace of mind of knowing that you are dealing with 

a reputable company with the necessary experience, 

expertise and back-up, should you encounter any 

problems,” he says. 

Fowler Swimming Pools advises those considering a 

pool to set a budget and think carefully about who 

is going to use it, how it will be used and when. 

Think carefully about the size and location of the 

new pool and the possibility of extending its use 

all year round with an enclosure. Although this will 

obviously add to the cost, the benefits in terms of 

use could be huge. 

There are numerous types of pools to choose from, 

including the following: 

Luxury option: A fully tiled, reinforced concrete pool 

takes the title of top of the range when it comes 

to home pool options. Usually finished with tiles or 

mosaics, concrete pools can be as glamorous and 

elaborative as you like, with prices starting at about 

£35,000. While this may seem a lot of money initially, 

many such pools will last up to 30 years, which 

actually makes them great value in the long term. 

For those looking for a mid-priced investment, a 

panel and liner pool offers a realistic alternative, 

with prices starting at about £20,000. Taking about 

a month to install, liners will need replacing every 

10 years or so and come in a variety of colours and 

patterns including very convincing mock tiling or 

mosaics. 

All-in-one-option: A quick-fix alternative, and 

gaining in popularity all the time, is the one-piece 

pool that can be up and running within about two 

weeks and will cost upwards of £15,000. These are 

available as fibreglass or ceramic all-in-one moulds 

and are simply lowered into a pre-prepared hole. 

They use the same technology as that used by 

builders of luxury motor cruisers and can be fitted 

with all the necessary equipment, such as skimmers, 

drain, inlets, pump filter and lights, before they are 

even delivered. 

The complete structure is craned into position and 

lowered onto a preprepared 

excavation 

with a crushed gravel 

base. Once all the preassembled 

pipe-work is 

connected, a concrete 

surround collar is fitted 

and coping or paving 

stones are put in place. 

Then it is ready for use. 

Picture credit: 

Fowler Swimming Pools 

of West Sussex 

Whatever type of pool 

you decide to have, 

make sure you’ve done 

your homework. 

Holman says: “Talk to 

a pool builder about 

the options and talk 

to former clients who 

have dealt with the 

pool company.” 

Spata is the industry watchdog and it is worth 

ensuring the company you deal with is a member. 

It offers a warranty scheme that guarantees the 

work of its members and a mediation service in the 

unlikely event of anything going wrong. 

”But the big question on many people’s lips will be: 

will a swimming pool add value to the property? 

It’s a tricky question to answer. In some cases, 

yes, particularly if the property is improved by the 

addition. But never assume that a £50,000 pool 

will add the same amount to a property price. And 

it’s worth remembering that a poorly designed and 

constructed pool will do nothing to a house price. 

“It could even hamper a house sale,” says Holman. 

”It pays to go for the best that can be afforded 

and to use a reliable company with an excellent 

reputation.” 

This article was downloaded from www.freefeatures.com 

17

RETIREMENT LIVING 

Wantage: a new approach 

to age restricted living 

When you arrive at the newly-built retirement 

development on Church Street in Wantage, it 

is easy to see why more than 40 per cent of 

the apartments were sold by the end of the 

first month. The demand for well-built, good 

quality retirement properties in Wantage is 

what gives the development its advantage. 

There has definitely been a shift in the traditional, 

“cookie cutter” type retirement lifestyle. In recent 

years, age-restricted properties are moving away 

from just the functional spaces for winding down 

in later living. People are now living much longer, 

partly due to increased awareness around our 

physical and mental health and how keeping 

ourselves well can benefit us as we get older. 

It means that today’s retiree is more demanding. 

They may seek adventure and travel as they enjoy 

more free time, however they will also seek their 

home comforts and enjoy living independently. They 

are also more likely to be financially settled, as the 

housing market boom has freed up more cash to 

allow more people to enjoy life to the full. However, 

their priorities lie with family. They like to be within 

close proximity of their relatives and enjoy spending 

as much time with them as possible – particularly 

children and grandchildren. 

For retirement developers, they have had to 

meet this growing market demand. Renaissance 

Retirement’s Fleur-de-Lis development in Wantage 

is one such example of how these demands have 

been very-well met. There are 32 spacious one 

and two bedroom apartments and 15 on-site 

car parking spaces. It is well positioned, within 

walking distance of the high street and other local 

amenities. 

The building is designed to be sympathetic to 

its surroundings, to work in harmony with local 

architecture, but there were other considerations 

during the building design process which make this 

Renaissance Retirement development a little bit 

different. 

Social spaces are really important to Renaissance’ 

owners, so that they can feel part of a community, 

within a community. These spaces are also 

designed to address the chronic issue of loneliness, 

particularly for owners who live alone. At Fleurde-Lis, 

the spacious drawing room is ideal for any 

social gathering, whether it is planned or not. Many 

owners choose to sit and read the papers, or get 

together for afternoon coffee. 

Concierge is also on hand to help with anything 

needed, but staff act discreetly, often in the 

background and will rarely encroach on your 

privacy. Their main purpose is to help with any dayto-day 

queries you may have, or just to say hello. 

They can also keep an eye on your apartment when 

you go away on holiday. 

For those wanting a change of scenery, Fleur-de-Lis 

Wantage offers pedestrian access to Market Place, 

right at the heart of Wantage. The vibrant town 

hosts a number of events and festivals throughout 

the year, but is also bursting with independent 

shops and cafes. You could opt for a stroll along 

Letcombe Brook, or Betjeman Millennium Park. All 

of this is on the doorstep at Fleur-de-Lis. 

The people who have moved in here have quickly 

formed great friendships and it is something that 

is encouraged at each Renaissance Retirement 

development. Owners are free to use the lounge 

areas for an evening drink or make use of it for 

larger gatherings – it’s a very versatile space. 

Most owners living at Fleur-de-Lis have some 

connection to the area of Wantage. Several have 

family nearby and so can keep existing relationships 

going. However, some owners come from further 

afield and use their apartment as their own private 

bolthole when they are visiting their children or 

grandchildren. Fleur-de-Lis also offers rental options 

to those wishing for more flexibility in retirement. 

A lot of our renters see this option as a hassle-free 

way of right-sizing, plus it can be a great way 

to “try before you buy”. For renters choosing to 

purchase their properties later on, they can do 

so through Renaissance Retirement’s Rent to Buy 

scheme. 

What’s clear is that thoughtful, intelligent housing 

design improves wellbeing and supports people 

in living healthy lives. Renaissance Retirement has 

embraced this philosophy and set out to bring a 

new aspirational approach to the retirement living 

sector, moving away from functional design and 

self-contained spaces to create schemes where 

communal facilities encourage social interaction, 

and open plan homes. 

To find out more about Renaissance Retirement 

Fleur-de-Lis development in Wantage, please visit 

https://www.renaissancegroup.co.uk/wantageoxfordshire 

or speak to the team on 01235 766398. 

18

55% Sold – From £280,000 

Luxury Retirement Living In Wantage 

With Renaissance Retirement, you’ll enjoy independent living in a sumptuous environment, safe in the 

knowledge that your home is secure. You will also have the support of your concierge should you 

need it – a very welcome assurance for your family and friends. Our communal areas are truly luxurious, 

beautifully furnished and meticulously cleaned and maintained. 

Join us for our ‘All About Rentals’ event to meet the team and give yourself uncertainty in an uncertain 

market. Please call today to RSVP - there are a limited number of places available so book now! 

Fleur-de-Lis Wantage on Church Street between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m 

Prices Between £195,000 - £700,000 

Rental Event 

Wednesday 

6 March 

10am – 3pm 

Phone 01235 766398 | Visit www.renaissanceretirement.co.uk 

Walk-in seven days a week, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Address: Church Street, Wantage, OX12 8BW 

Please Quote TPM02 

Renaissance Retirement: Compliant With The Consumer Code For New Homes

HOUSE & HOME 

WORK IT OUT: 

The key to a good 

home fitness area 

is comfort and 

convenience. 

Make room for 

family fitness 

Creating a family fitness room makes it easier 

than ever to stick to your workout – and it’s a 

great place for the kids to chill out, too. 

Obviously choose the biggest space you can for 

the fitness area, but don’t forget to create an 

atmosphere of warmth. That way it will be an 

inviting space for the whole family. 

Experiment with different types of lighting and use 

cherry or walnut trim for added luxury. Durable, 

self-adhesive carpet squares help cushion floor 

exercises. Blinds offer privacy while one person 

is working out and others are watching TV. 

Conversely, keeping the blinds up allows exercisers 

to watch TV or even incorporate exercise videos 

into the workout. Putting mirrored panels on the 

back wall not only reflects light and gives the room 

a more open feel, but also has a practical function. 

Being able to see yourself when performing 

strength-training exercises helps you check your 

posture for better results and less risk of injury. 

And for the kids, why not make the centrepiece of 

the room a wild, wavy climbing wall? It will create 

an interesting design element, and provide endless 

fun for the youngsters. More importantly though, it 

will ensure kids make exercise a lifelong habit. 

Variation keeps families committed to exercise and 

improves fitness because it encourages working out 

different muscle groups in different ways. 

There are other practical considerations to a family 

fitness room. Safety aside, exercisers should be able 

to secure or stow gear that little ones could hurt 

themselves on. When everyone is done using the 

room, there should be a place to put everything. So 

make sure there’s plenty of storage room and space 

for everyone to exercise. 

A wardrobe with ample shelving and drawers for 

each person’s towel and exercise clothes is essential. 

As is ample shelving for holding equipment such as 

dumbbells, and a few towel racks would be a good 

idea too. The space behind the climbing wall could 

also serve to store equipment when you need more 

floor space for aerobics or the next time the kids 

want to roll out the mats to do a little tumbling. 

For most families, the key to fitness can be summed 

up in one word: convenience. Few things are more 

convenient than having all the essentials of a fitness 

club right in the middle of your house. But the 

room ideally has to work as part of a home and as a 

part of the lives of the family using it. 

So remember, if you’re going to commit a space in 

your home to fitness and exercise, you have to make 

it inviting and motivating. A weight bench and an old 

treadmill down in a dark corner of the cellar won’t 

really work. You should want to spend time there and 

make it so there’s something for everyone: yourself, 

your spouse, and even the youngest children. 


20

DEVELOPMENT NEWS 

Work gathers 

pace at 

Myton Green 

The first phase of major infrastructure delivery 

for 735 new homes on the Myton Green 

residential development in Warwick is nearing 

the halfway mark. 

The 56 week programme is progressing well, 

with earthworks continuing on schedule and the 

formation of balancing ponds and watercourses 

completed. Installation of paths and play areas will 

be commencing in the coming weeks. Other work 

includes the delivery of the first section of a treelined 

community spine road, which will eventually 

link Europa Way with Gallows Hill, along with the 

creation of an extensive green corridor adjacent to 

Myton Brook. 

Avant Homes 

have already 

started onsite, 

with Miller Homes 

joining later in 

February. A range 

of sizes and 

housing styles 

will be available with the first new residents taking 

occupation in summer 2019. 

In time, the development will deliver six 

equipped play areas, a network of new 

footpaths and cycleways along with the planting 

of more than 250 specimen trees set in around 

20 acres of green open space. 

To find out more and to register your interest: 

Avant Homes: www.avanthomes.co.uk/ 

find-your-new-home/purbeck-village 

Miller Homes: www.millerhomes.co.uk/ 

mytongreen 

homes will be available in 2020. 

The final two phases, which also contain 40 per 

cent affordable housing, include a country park 

which L&Q Estates is progressing with Warwick 

District Council. 

Through the various developments, L&Q Estates 

has contributed over £25m towards providing 

new and upgrading existing infrastructure in 

the area, and is directly delivering some of the 

road improvements in the local area required 

to accommodate the planned growth and new 

community in the area. 

Warwick Gates 

L&Q ESTATES IS CREATING A LEGACY WITH 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WARWICK GATES 

The property development and investment 

company has secured various planning 

permissions in recent years to deliver 1,455 

new homes at the site to the south-east of 

Warwick following lengthy consultations with 

the District Council, County Council and other 

local stakeholders. 

The developments are also involved in delivering 

community facilities, a primary school a country 

park and transport infrastructure. 

housing, has been completed after being sold to 

David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes. 

The next phase of 785 homes has been sold to 

Bovis Homes, Bellway Homes, David Wilson Homes 

and Barratt Homes and is at an advanced stage 

of development. L&Q Estates was also involved 

in the planning, funding and the delivery of 

Heathcote Primary School, which opened its doors 

in October 2017, only a few hundred metres from 

its headquarters. 

Glen Langham, Group Planning Director of L&Q 

Estates, said: “The Warwick Gates and Warwick 

Gateway development is our legacy to the area 

because as well as enabling the delivery of muchneeded 

new homes in the district, many of which 

will be affordable homes for local people, we 

are delivering a new community and all of the 

infrastructure that goes with that. 

“We have worked closely with Warwick District 

Council, Warwickshire County Council, the local 

community and other key stakeholders since we 

started bringing these sites forward many years ago 

through the Local Plan process. 

“Our investment in the new primary school, 

open spaces, community facilities, highways 

and infrastructure on an important gateway to 

Warwick as well as the delivery of the much-needed 

new homes, highlights our approach to creating 

and delivering quality places and the value of 

partnership working.” 

The first phase at Warwick Gates, which was 

for 220 homes including 40 per cent affordable 

Construction has started on the final phase 

consisting of 450 homes where the first new 

To find out more, visit www.gallagherestates.com 

and www.lqgroup.org.uk 

21

RECIPE 

Chocolate 

& Orange 

Pancakes 

Method 

TO MAKE THE FILLING: 

1. Grate the zest from one of the 

oranges into a bowl. 

2. Cut away the peel and pith 

from both oranges and cut into 

segments, allowing the juice 

to drip into the bowl, but put 

the segments on a plate to one 

side. 

3. Beat the ricotta into the orange 

rind and juice until smooth and 

fold in the grated chocolate. 

TO MAKE THE PANCAKES: 

1. Sift the flour and cocoa into a 

bowl and add the sugar. Beat 

the egg, milk and vanilla extract 

together then add to the dry 

ingredients and whisk to make 

a smooth batter. 

2. To cook the pancakes, warm 

a non-stick frying pan, add 

a teaspoon of oil, then pour 

in a very large tablespoon of 

batter which should be enough 

just to cover the base thinly. 

Tilt the pan to distribute the 

batter evenly. Place on the hob 

and cook over a medium hot 

setting. 

When it’s Pancake Day, 

everyone loves taking 

part in the Shrove 

Tuesday celebration 

of cooking up some 

simple ingredients 

to make a delicious 

pudding. These 

chocolate and orange 

pancakes make a nice 

change from plain 

versions. 

INGREDIENTS 

• 90g plain flour 

• 20g cocoa powder 

• 25g caster sugar 

• 1 large egg 

• 300ml semi-skimmed milk 

• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence 

• Sunflower oil, for frying 

SERVES 

4-8 

FOR THE FILLING: 

• 2 medium oranges 

• 250g tub ricotta cheese 

• 25g plain chocolate, grated 

• 25g sugar 

3. When the edges are golden 

and the batter looks set, toss 

or turn with a palette knife and 

cook the other side for about 

1 minute until golden. Remove 

from the pan and keep warm. 

4. Lift the pan off the hob, add 

another teaspoon of oil and 

add another spoonful of batter. 

After tilting the pan, set back 

on the hob to cook. Continue 

cooking the pancakes in this 

way until all the batter is used. 

5. Place a tablespoon of the 

ricotta filling onto each pancake 

and either roll up or fold into a 

cornet, and decorate with two 

orange segments. 


22

In association with 

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Whatever route you choose, BuildStore has a range of 

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BuildStore’s specialist mortgage advisers can recommend 

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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep 

up repayments on your mortgage. BuildStore Mortgage 

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a fee of £395 is charged, which is payable on offer. 

buildstore.co.uk 

MAB 9208 

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01869 396 070 • gravenhill.co.uk 

Self-Build plots • Custom Build new homes • apartments

The Property Magazine New Homes Winter 2018-19

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