Surrey’s Underworld – The hidden depths of Surrey’s property gems…
The wealthiest county in England, well-situated on the outskirts of the capital, Surrey has always been synonymous with sprawling country estates, well-to-do townhouses and gated mansions. Even during these times of financial restraint, premium property in popular locations is still fought over tooth-by-nail in Surrey and property prices are reflecting this with the Land Registry of England and Wales announcing a 4.8% increase in average house prices in Surrey during April to June 2009 when compared to the same period in the previous year.
With the average property price in Surrey now £278,620 (compared to the UK average of £224,064) and with the average detached property in the county a staggering £439,855, it is the larger properties with land and those in good locations that are keeping figures healthy. With spacious properties in great demand, thought is turning to maximising the space that homes can offer and with planning regulations often restricting expansion of properties upwards or outwards, some forward-thinking developers and individuals are beginning to expand properties downwards.
Taking inspiration from the first underground property built in the UK in the late 1970’s by Arthur Quarmby, building or expanding properties below ground is growing in popularity as more and more people recognise the extensive benefits. Less the stuff of science-fiction and more that of science-fact, some intuitive property owners and developers are simply expanding into what would once have been the property’s cellar or basement and making this more a habitable dwelling than storage space, whereas others are building entirely new rooms underneath the earth.
Having some or all of your property situated below ground level has many benefits, a key one of which is the fact that it is an energy-efficient means of building as the earth surrounding the property gives natural insulation and therefore means that energy bills are less. According to Underground Living Ltd, a company that specialise in building below ground, heating bills of underground rooms can be up to 80% lower than traditional rooms – and this means that the ensuing impact upon the environment is therefore also lower. Alongside this, it is often easier to get around planning regulations by building underground as the impact of the expansion on the surrounding environment is minimal as extensions below ground are usually either converted basements or extensions built flush with ground level. Above all, expanding downwards is a way to maximise a property’s living space without having to buy further land, which is not only expensive but also in short supply.
One sought-after Surrey area where land is at a premium is the Wentworth Estate. Close to the beautiful village of Virginia Water and famous for its world-class golfing as well as the celebrities who reside there, the Wentworth Estate is an affluent area, home to expansive properties and wealthy residents. Having seen successful growth in property prices even during the recession (the Land Registry of England and Wales reporting a growth of 24% in average detached house prices in the Runnymede area from April to June 2009 when compared to those of 2008), these leafy surroundings now hide a secret. It is here that progressive developers and residents, keen to maximise the highly coveted space available, are looking underground. In the Wentworth area, expanding below ground is especially successful because of the privacy it gives to those residents who wish to reside away from prying eyes and also for those that have the need for staff accommodation.
Another successful use of below-ground space is for car parking and some properties, including Hollow Lane House, are building additional garaging below ground, with a lift to ground level. This property, situated in grounds of approximately 2.7 acres is ingenious in not encroaching further on this valuable garden space – the property is already expansive – and instead has utilised the space below ground level to meet all the requirements of its owners. The property boasts a master suite with en suite and terrace, four further bedrooms (one of which has a dressing room, all of which have bathrooms), drawing room, dining room, study, family room, and kitchen/breakfast room. Hollow Lane House also has an extensive entertainment complex with indoor swimming pool and spa, sauna, steam room, gym, changing facilities, games room, cinema room, laundry, wine store and plant room. It also has a staff apartment and is on the market for £9.5 million.
Another example of a property on Surrey’s Wentworth Estate that has used underground space to expand the house is Brackendale. Situated at the very heart of the most prestigious part of the Wentworth Estate, just a short distance from the 4th tee of the west course, this imposing property ranges over approximately 12,000 square feet and includes a basement pool and leisure complex. Again, the property has kept its beautifully landscaped gardens of approximately 2 acres which include a tennis court, as this is a key selling point of the property, but in order to satisfy the needs of its residents the developers have utilised the space below the property to install the leisure facilities. This also means that residents can benefit from added privacy when using these facilities as they are below ground. Brackendale is on the market for £10 million.
James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt the local estate agent which is marketing the properties, recognises the benefits of subterranean expansion but advises that care must be taken when building beneath ground,
‘Maximising the land underneath your property to give more space is becoming increasingly popular and is an exciting new development, especially on Surrey’s prestigious Wentworth Estate. With many benefits to building below ground level, it is important that this development is undertaken with care and that underground rooms are properly built and maintained. If done correctly, however, this extra space can add value without compromising the aesthetics of a building.’
For more information on Hollow Lane House or Brackendale or if you would like to find out more about other properties that Barton Wyatt market, contact 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.