North Yorkshire homes worth £6m benefit from city dweller surge

A North Yorkshire development of new homes worth £6m is benefiting from a post-COVID spike in demand for a blend of both home and office working.

Leeds-based Oakapple Homes have brought to market its latest development in the village of Rainton. As they were launched, no fewer than 12 of the 15 homes at Robinson’s Fold were sold.

David Waddington, director of land and new homes at Linley & Simpson, said: “All the evidence, as well as our own research, highlight that flexible working patterns are very much here to stay.

“One of the hallmarks of the development is that the majority of the properties incorporate a home office and super-fast broadband in response to this.

“In Yorkshire and across the UK, COVID-19 has rebooted the property market. One of the few positives of the pandemic is that it has catapulted the idea of home-working from the edge of employment activity, into the mainstream.

“Homebuyers increasingly tell us that they are lulled by the idea of spending only seconds getting behind their desk, instead of being stuck in traffic jams. This has further strengthened the appeal of Robinson’s Fold and is a prime reason behind why it has been such an early sales success story.”

Philip Taylor, group chairman of Oakapple, commented: “Recent events have made us all reflect on what is important in our lives.

“Oakapple has responded by ensuring these houses are designed to support people who in ever-increasing numbers are choosing to limit their commutes to and from the office, and work more from home.”

The remaining three plots at Robinson’s Fold have asking prices starting at £585k. The development is poised for completion by summer.

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