Testimonials

21 January 2010

In mid December 2009 the UK's first domestic high speed train, High Speed 1, launched, offering commuters a rapid 17 minute journey from Kent's Ebbsfleet station to London St Pancras. Springhead Park, a joint development by Countryside Properties and Land Securities, is situated just under one and a half miles from Ebbsfleet International Station and is proving popular with purchasers looking to take advantage of this new direct high speed service into London.

One couple who bought at Springhead Park because of the fantastic links into London, thus saving them a hefty commute, were Avril and Jeremy Satchwell. Avril and Jeremy have their main home in Canterbury, where they stay at the weekends and when not at work, but during the week they have based themselves in the Ebbsfleet development to save them staying in hotels overnight in London, where they both work as management consultants.

Jeremy comments: “My wife Avril was born around the Greenhithe area and so when we were driving through and noticed that Springhead Park was being built so close to Ebbsfleet International station, we decided to drop in and take a look. The location of the development was the main selling factor for us as it's the closest site to the station, and makes our daily commute just 45 minutes door to door, which is considerably less than the two and a half hour commute we used to do from Canterbury.”

In addition, at Springhead Park, there is built in Fibre to the Home technology in all new properties meaning that whereas today most households across the UK consider a 16-20mb a second broadband connection fast, Springhead Park offers up to 100mb a second into every home. This is the first time that Fibre to the Home technology has been included on this scale in a new build development and will eventually be available in all homes within Ebbsfleet Valley.

Jeremy continues: “As well as the great links into London, we also find the broadband speed at Springhead Park a definite benefit to the development. It is brilliant when we need to do any business from home as it is so much faster than any other internet connection I have come across, and makes contact with business colleagues as well as friends and family so much easier.”

Ian Hepworth, Sales Director for Countryside Properties commented: “Since the official launch of High Speed 1 we are experiencing a higher level of interest in the Ebbsfleet area. As Springhead Park is the closest development to the station it is perfect for commuters like the Satchwell's. However with such a great international line on the doorstep, the location of Springhead Park is also ideal for those travelling into Europe, be it for business or pleasure, as you can be in Paris in just over two hours and Brussels in one hour and 41 minutes.”

Springhead Park offers a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes, with a tree-lined boulevard running through the heart of the development branching into more intimate residential streets and spaces. At the centre of Springhead Park, Penn Green is a beautifully landscaped park which focuses on a central plaza and play area. Further recreational space will be provided in the future at Springhead Park; this will run the length of the development and include playing fields as well as informal parkland. A community centre, a place of worship and a doctor's surgery are also planned for the development.

The homes at Springhead Park are finished with a fresh and contemporary feel. Offering quality fixtures and fittings, with contemporary co-ordinated kitchens and featuring a range of stainless steel appliances, the interiors at Springhead Park boast a level of detailing that appeals to all buyers. Many of the two-bedroom apartments and houses have the added benefit of en-suite facilities leading off the master bedroom.

Potential purchasers' can visit the sales and marketing suite on Springhead Road, which is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm. Shared equity is currently available on the apartments with 1 beds starting from as little as £87,950. Two bedroom apartments are priced from just £112,000. Two bedroom houses are also available at Springhead Park from £185,000, whilst three-bedroom homes start from £205,000 and 4 bed houses with conservatories from just £265,000. For further information please contact the sales and marketing suite on 01474 335195 or visit www.springheadpark.co.uk

25 February 2009

Potential first-time buyers are in a stronger position to purchase a home than at any time in the past five years. According to Halifax, the first-time buyer affordability ratio steadily improved during 2008 and the trend is expected to continue into 2009. With low interest rates, tempting offers from developers and lower house prices, the time is right for those looking to get on the property ladder.

This has certainly been the case at Springhead Park, the first residential development at Ebbsfleet Valley, where joint developers Countryside Properties and Land Securities have put several stunning new homes within reach of aspiring homebuyers with their Shared Equity scheme, enabling purchasers to buy a new property for just 75% of the asking price*.

It was this great incentive package that appealed to 24 year old Lordswood FC footballer Daniel Jeffery, who, having been living with his dad just two minutes away from Springhead Park had been looking to get a foot on the property ladder for some time.

As Daniel explains: "I had wanted to move out of my dad's home and into a place of my own for a while, but renting just didn't seem to make much financial sense in the long term. When I first considered buying towards the end of last year, I soon realised that plenty of opportunities had opened up for first-time buyers like me. In fact I couldn't believe how many great deals were out there!"

The Shared Equity scheme at Springhead Park offers potential purchasers 100% ownership of a brand new home, for just 75% of the asking price upfront. This means two bedroom apartments now start from just £131,250*; boasting floor space over 650 sq ft and en-suites to the master bedroom. One bedroom apartments are also available from only £93,750*. In addition, purchasers who take advantage of this attractive scheme could also benefit from having their legal fees paid.

Daniel continues: "The Shared Equity scheme at Springhead Park was definitely the best deal that I came across. I would definitely recommend the scheme to others that have found affordability to be an issue in the past. I decided that I wanted to stay in the North Kent area and couldn't believe it when I found out how affordable the apartments at Springhead Park were. It is brilliant living just around the corner from home, it means I can pop round whenever I want and even take my washing home!"

Springhead Park will, when completed, provide a mix of 600 one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes. A tree-lined boulevard will run through the heart of the development branching into more intimate residential streets and spaces. At the centre of Springhead Park, the formal Penn Green will be beautifully landscaped focusing on a central plaza with play area. Further recreational space will be provided in a new park, running the length of the development including playing fields as well as informal parkland, together with a community centre, a place of worship and a doctor's surgery.

Living at Springhead Park, residents will benefit from the huge investment and infrastructure improvements that continue to elevate and transform the area. Ebbsfleet International station, which provides services to Paris in just two hours and five minutes, Lille in one hour and 10 minutes and Brussels in one hour and 41 minutes, will also begin running a domestic service from December 2009 with rapid services to London St Pancras in just 17 minutes.

Daniel continues: "The development occupies such a great location for all of the local amenities and has really high quality apartments for sale, something which I never imagined I could get for my money or in this area. I work in London as a builder so the development's proximity to Ebbsfleet International station and the high-speed rail links into the capital from the end of this year is a huge bonus for me!"

The homes at Springhead Park are finished with a fresh and contemporary feel. Offering quality fixtures and fittings, with contemporary co-ordinated kitchens and featuring a range of stainless steel appliances, the interiors at Springhead Park boast a level of detailing that appeals to all buyers. The bathrooms contain white sanitaryware and chrome taps and fittings, with many of the two-bedroom apartments and houses having the added benefit of en-suite facilities leading off the master bedroom.

Ian Hepworth, Sales Director for Countryside Properties commented: "We appreciate that too often customers are being scared off by media reports and the truth of the matter is that there are plenty of fantastic options for first-time-buyers that want to get on the property ladder in 2009. This is why we are offering incentives such as the Shared Equity scheme. Our experience at Springhead Park indicates that even in difficult times, demand for good quality, affordable housing in the right location still results in sales. Springhead Park isn’t just another development of new homes; it stands apart from the crowd as its residents will benefit from major improvements to local facilities and infrastructure."

Potential purchasers' can visit the sales and marketing suite on Springhead Road, which is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm. One bedroom apartments are priced from just £93,750*, whilst two bedroom apartments now start from just £131,250*. Three bedroom houses are also available at Springhead Park from £214,950. For further information please contact the sales and marketing suite on 01474 335195 or visit www.springheadpark.co.uk