Member Article

Housebuilder battles to ensure Valentine’s show home opening

Housebuilder Keepmoat battled wind, rain and rail works to ensure a Valentine’s Day show home opening on its Scholars Gate development, off Spring Bank West.

The event on Friday saw dozens of people flock to see the two homes unveiled, as preparations for the launch carried on right up until the first visitor arrived.

Keepmoat faced a number of set backs in the run up to the event, the biggest of which, the replacement of a railway bridge, meant work to the front of the three and four bedroom show homes could not begin until two months ago.

Combatting bad weather, Site Manager Rick Sheppard and his team worked well into the night to make sure that those attending the launch weren’t disappointed.

Rick Sheppard, 45, said: “Network Rail replaced the bridge over Spring Bank West on Christmas Day and we have been working hard to finish the show home in time ever since.

“It’s been a real team effort with everyone from the Regional Managing Director to the apprentices on site lending a hand to make sure people would not be disappointed.”

The 350 home development is already proving popular with househunters as the developer has already seen three completions and 19 reservations.

Prospective buyers Dan, 39, Rachel, 41, and Oliver, 13, Reuben came to see the show home as they have recently reserved a two bedroom home on the development.

Rachel, who previously travelled to Doncaster to see the Keepmoat house type they were thinking of buying, said: “The finish of the show homes is outstanding, we are really looking forward to be able to move into our new home.”

Developed in partnership with Hull City Council, Places for People and Construction Works, the show home launch saw representatives from all partners gain a sneak peek of the homes before they were opened to the public on Saturday, February 15.

Councillor Alan Clark, Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee, said: “Councils across the country should come and have a look at we have achieved here in Hull.

“The show homes are phenomenal and I am proud to have been part of their construction in my capacity as Deputy Chair of the Planning Committee.

“The mix of two, three and four bedroom homes will help to bring people to Hull as the whole world looks at the city ahead of the City of Culture celebrations.”

Vanessa Burling, Keepmoat New Build Sales Director in Yorkshire, said: “Development work commenced on site last summer with buyers reserving their dream homes off plan since Christmas. We have had a really good response from first time buyers and families.

“The unveiling of these new show homes at our Scholars Gate development is another major milestone in this development within Newington & St. Andrews and I would encourage anyone thinking of buying a new home in Hull to come and visit our homes to see what we have available.

“With ten different house types to choose from, there is something for everyone and with financial assistance available through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, now is a great time to buy a new home and get a foot onto the property ladder.”

Ranging from two bedroom mews to four bedroom detached homes, there are homes available to meet the needs of a wide range of buyers. The rich blend of house types available at Scholars Gate, creates stunning street scenes throughout the development.

Prices range from £88,796 on the Government’s Help to Buy scheme for a two bedroom Finchley home to £141,596, also on the Help to Buy scheme for a four bedroom detached Ludlow home.

The homes have been designed to the highest of standards to create light, spacious living space and are extremely energy efficient to run.

The two-and-a-half storey Oakhurst town house has been decorated in aquarium colours in recognition of the city’s maritime history. The Oakhurst is available from £121,596 on Help to Buy and includes a spacious kitchen/diner, lounge and WC on the ground floor, two bedrooms and a family bathroom on the first floor and a large master bedroom and en-suite bathroom on the second floor.

Alternatively, the three bedroom Anthorn is a beautifully presented home and is available from £135,196 on Help to Buy. It includes an entrance hallway leading to a spacious lounge, open plan kitchen/diner and downstairs w.c. The first floor boasts a master bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Young football fans will not fail to be impressed with the children’s bedroom, which is decked out in amber and black colours in recognition of the city’s Premiership football team.

The Help to Buy scheme offers buyers who have saved a 5% deposit, the chance to take advantage of a loan covering 20% of the value of the property for up to twenty-five years, with the first five years being interest free. The remaining 75% of the property’s value will be funded through a mortgage, with Keepmoat referring customers to an independent mortgage advisor who will arrange the finance needed.

The scheme is on the site which was once home to Riley High School, but after its closure in the 1980s, the building became an annex of Hull College. After the college moved out, the site was cleared and has remained vacant ever since. The development is only a few minutes’ walk from West Park and the high street shops and main railway station in Hull city centre.

To visit the show homes and sales office at Keepmoat’s Scholars Gate development, please visit Scholars Gate, Spring Bank West, Hull, HU3 6QY between 10.00am and 5.00pm Thursday to Monday. Alternatively, please call our home sales executive at Keepmoat on 07814 458 194 or visit www.keepmoat.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hazel Rycroft .