Celebrating 40 years of the humble postcode. What’s been going on in GU25 in the past four decades?

Celebrating 40 years of the humble postcode. What’s been going on in GU25 in the past four decades?

by Viv United Kingdom
  • The ‘Postcode’ celebrates its 40th birthday
  • There are now 1.8 million postcodes in the UK covering 29 million addresses
  • New homes on Wentworth in GU25 have jumped from 2,000 to 7,000 sq ft in 40 years

It’s been 40 years since postcodes were rolled-out across the UK to make letter sorting easier.  Originally trialled in Norwich, 1974 saw this revolutionary new method of speedily identifying addresses being used throughout the rest of the UK. Often taken for granted, the simple postcode has transformed the way that sorting offices quickly organise mail to speed up the delivery to the end user. There are now 1.8 million postcodes covering 29 million addresses across the country.

Indeed the humble postcode has become an automatic way in which we identify ourselves and get around.  With two thirds of the country finding it easier to navigate with a sat nav, the old fashioned map is becoming a thing of the past.  Just key in the postcode and off you go! Hard to believe that 40 years ago this wonderful system did not exist.

Indeed one of the many sectors highly affected by the creation of the postcode is estate agency.

James Wyatt, partner of leading Surrey Estate Agent, Barton Wyatt comments:

“I was only a lad when the postcode was introduced but I was still actively involved in the family business.  My brother Rupert and I were often tasked with delivering leaflets door to door extolling the virtues of selling your house through Barton Wyatt so I felt like a postman sometimes! It might sound jolly but door-to-door delivery is not fun in Virginia Water and the Wentworth Estate. The plots are big and the drives seem endless when you are just 11 years old.”

Another sector that has relied on the postcode is demographic classification. Used in the UK to describe, measure and classify people of different social grade, income and earnings levels this data is essential for market research, social commentary, statistical research and analysis.

“Wentworth, Virginia Water and surrounding villages are all A1 classified,” mulls James, “We are very fortunate to live in such an affluent area.  And it was like this 40 years ago when the postcode was invented – as it will be in another 40.  But things have not stood still – a lot changes in housing in 40 years!”

Forty years ago a new house sitting on half an acre in Wentworth would have had an internal size of 2,000 square feet and the house would have gone on the market at about £55,000.  This would have been a large house by UK standards then.  Today a new house on Wentworth will be around 7,000 square feet and will cost a buyer £4,000,000.

And if you are wondering about flats – the sizes have not altered greatly but the cost has.  In 1974 you would expect to pay £10,000 for a 2 bedroom flat – today you could pay between £250,000 and £400,000.

The ‘must have’ gadget in the kitchen if you were flashy in 1974 was a dishwasher; incredibly this white good is the same price today as it was then.  A cheaper toy, but all the rage in the middle classes, was a Sodastream, with its violent coloured concentrates and endless flow of sparkling beverages.  The “Get busy with the fizzy” tagline has been re-launched recently as Sodastream attempts a return to its original fame.

Back in the 70’s houses were all being refitted with shag pile carpets and chocolate bathroom suites sporting gold taps.  In the garden, you were considered dead trendy if you had a ride on mower and slightly vulgar if you had a swimming pool.  Today it’s cool to have a gardener and a bit retro to have a hot-tub.

On the driveway you had made it if you had a Reliant Scimitar in Mexico brown with a vinyl roof and if you were really flashy, a webasto sunroof.  The ladies would have liked to be seen in a Dolomite Sprint, a bit of a GTI in its day, the most popular colour in 1974 being deep purple.  Today it’s a 4×4 all the way with the odd drop head Mercedes for sunny days and a VW Golf for the nanny.

James mulls over some differences in the workplace too,

“Selling houses was considerably less electronic. Your estate agent would measure up your house with a tape measure, he or she would count the power points, take note of the dado rail and get excited by the number of aspects. A photo and typed up details would be carefully placed in the agent’s window and an advert would appear in the local paper… and then we would wait for the perfect buyer.

“Like most businesses, all estate agents would close for lunch, and very few would open on a Saturday – and if they did then certainly not for long.  It was fun working in an estate agency then and still today.  Much has progressed but actually people still buy from people and that will never change. Our clients return time and time again, they pop in for a chin wag and they are the life blood of our business.  I was addicted then and I still am!”

For more details on luxurious property on Wentworth give the team a call on 01344 84300 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

A sunny outlook for Sunninghill in 2014

A sunny outlook for Sunninghill in 2014

by Viv United Kingdom

It seems that the outlook for 2014 for Berkshire’s upmarket village of Sunninghill is sunny indeed. Luxury homes developer Millgate launched four new country mansions earlier this year in Sunninghill, and within just a fortnight, two of these exquisite mansions had been reserved. Now, less than four months later, all four have been snapped up by prime buyers.

Just a little over three miles from the “super suburb” of Virginia Water, as the Telegraph has dubbed it, Sunninghill provides a plethora of reasons for families to locate to its leafy lanes.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments:
“Sunninghill is just a stone’s throw from the exclusive enclave of Surrey’s Wentworth Estate. House prices here demand a hefty premium due to their location on the ‘island,’ as it is fondly known by the locals.

“Down the road in Sunninghill, villagers still benefit from the same fabulous amenities, but with homes that avoid the same weighty price tags that neighbouring Wentworth creates. This part of Surrey and Berkshire has easy access to both Heathrow and London, as well as terrific schooling choices and a wide range of local entertainment options.”

Recently, a report by Hamptons International, indicated that the return of housing market confidence has been greatly influenced by the different types of buyers driving supply and demand. For instance, there were 350,000 cash buyers in 2013, accounting for 36% of market activity. Although 70% of these buyers weren’t selling a property to fund their purchase, meaning that stock levels were not increasing as a result of their transactions.
This goes some way to explain the extreme shortage of housing stock that Britain continues to experience. While supply lags behind, Hamptons International has reported that demand for homes is up 28% in the Surrey and Berkshire area.

Regional Director of Hamptons International, Julian de la Poer Beresford, who was responsible for the sale of the luxury Millgate country mansions, comments,

“With many of these cash buyers looking in the premium housing markets, it is probably of no surprise that they have been drawn to Millgate’s ‘best in class’ for country homes. There are two main facts driving the quick sale of these homes: firstly the number of Londoners looking to move out of the city into the country has doubled compared with last year and secondly the upturn in enquiries from overseas buyers.

“These overseas buyers are no longer just looking at prime central London, but instead are broadening their search to a wider geographical area.

They mirror the buyer profiles of Millgate’s majestic Holland Place, which explains the speed at which these four Sunninghill houses have been snapped up.

“Saying that, the quality and finish on these beautiful houses has also been a key factor in their quick sale – they are simply world-class.”
For more information on country mansions from Millgate contact them on 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk

Revel in your restroom: Millgate introduces the Man Throne

Revel in your restroom: Millgate introduces the Man Throne

by Viv United Kingdom ,

Long gone are the days of a three piece avocado bathroom suite (with the addition of a bidet if you were posh!); Britons are investing ever increasing amounts of time and money into creating the perfect bathroom space within their homes.

Inspired by hotel stays, glossy magazine spreads and hours of TV programming dedicated to the interior design of A-list celebrity homes, the spathroom is here to stay.

  • Women spend 1 year, 7 months, 15 days of their life in the bathroom (Bathstone)
  • Men spend 1 hour 45 minutes going to the toilet each week (Bathstore)

The bathroom as a space has shifted from purely functional to a haven for relaxation in recent years, an escape from the mayhem of the day and the place to be pampered. Today the label on your handwash and the thread count of your towels are as important as the car in your driveway and the wine in your cellar.

Long suffering fathers, husbands, boyfriends and brothers will all testify to the length of time the females in their lives spend in the bathroom but research Bathstore has proven that women really do spend longer locked in the bathroom than their counterparts – the equivalent of 1 year, 7 months and 15 days over their lifetime, an entire month longer than men.

Indeed whilst women may view the bathroom as a sanctuary, a survey carried out by Bathstore reveals that it is in fact men who are much more likely to dally on the WC than women. The average man will spend 1 hour and 45 minutes every week going to the toilet whilst women, with efficiency ever foremost in their minds, spend a mere 1 hour 25 minutes per week.

With attitudes to and usage of the bathroom differing substantially between men and women, Millgate, the Berkshire-based developer has created one luxury home that solves this age-old issue.

Ashworth House on Holland Place in Sunninghill is a home with a difference. As you leave the palatial master bedroom suite and step down to the cavernous dressing area you are faced with a choice: turn left and enter the Man Throne a discrete, self-contained area with WC and hand basin, the perfect retreat for the man of the house when he needs some ‘time-out’ perhaps? Or turn right and you step into your spathroom heaven.

The most desired elements of a bathroom according to a study on MSN.com can all be found at Ashworth House:

  • A large airy shower – Ashworth House has this and more – the 1800 mm wide shower set behind a wall of glass features a tiled wet room floor with vado taps and shower fittings.
  • A soaking hot-tub – A very large Villeroy and Bosch quaryl bath sits in front of the large south facing windows. This is a bath that will leave nothing to be desired; quaryl combines the best properties of natural quartz with the versatility of high-quality acrylic resin, it is durable, timeless, warm and pure.
  • Natural lighting – pouring in through the windows this bathroom is filled with light, something we crave early in the morning to shake us awake.
  • Underfloor heating – the joy of a new house is often the underfloor heating. Fitted as standard in all Millgate bathrooms, long gone are the days of cold toes in the morning.
  • Beautiful tiles – 20mm polished marble and stone adorn this lovely bathroom with porcelain floor to ceiling tiles.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate comments:
“Just as important as the kitchen, bathrooms are key to selling homes. They are not just functional spaces but rooms to enjoy just as much as the others which is why we never hold back on expense in this area of the home. It is by listening to our clients, their needs and how they live in the homes we create that we learnt about the desire for a separate WC off the master suite. If fact, it’s been so popular with visitors that we may well incorporate this feature in further Millgate homes.”

So is your appetite for this spathroom complete with Man Throne wetted?
This 6 bedroom residence is located in the heart of the Home Counties just 2 miles from Ascot racecourse. Ashworth House sits within substantial landscaped grounds and reflects meticulous attention to detail in design, specification and architectural integrity – again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

The property offers exceptional accommodation, arranged over three storeys, boasting a magnificent central galleried staircase with spectacular chandelier, three large reception rooms ideal for entertaining, while the kitchen/family room with an orangery opening out into the garden is the informal heart of the home. Upstairs there are en-suite bathrooms to all six of the bedrooms plus a bonus bedroom/games room. Staff can also easily be accommodated within the annexe which is found over the triple garage.

To come and see this opulent house and its Man Throne for yourself contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or Hamptons International on 01372 469279 or alternatively visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Wentworth prepares to celebrate 60th birthday of the PGA European Golf Tour

Wentworth prepares to celebrate 60th birthday of the PGA European Golf Tour

by Viv United Kingdom

2014 is a landmark year for the PGA European Golf Tour as it celebrates its 60th year. The Championship was first played back in 1955, coming to the prestigious West Course at Wentworth in Surrey in 1984 and where it has been played exclusively ever since.

· PGA European Tour celebrates its 60th year of first class golf
· 20th – 25th May at the glorious Wentworth Club, in Surrey
· Barton Wyatt say property for all pockets as 2 bed flats priced from £250,000

This first class golfing tournament initially only attracted British golfers however in the 1970’s it began to entice players from all over Europe and quickly escalated into one the top international golf events on the European Tour Calendar.

60 years ago Englishman Ken Bousfield picked up the title of first ever champion, finishing 17 under par and taking home £400 in prize money. Compare that to last year’s winner, 2013 champion Matteo Manassero who scooped a staggering €791,660 and it’s clear to see how this event has grown.

The BMW PGA Championship is six days of high quality entertainment which includes the Official Practice Day, Celebrity Pro-Am, and four rounds of compelling competition from 20th to 25th May.

This year an impressive list of 50 celebrities are already confirmed to take part in the Celebrity Pro-Am including Chris Evans; Olympic medallists Eve Muirhead, Sir Steven Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent; footballers David Ginola, Peter Schmeichel and Jamie Redknapp and rugby stars Chris Robshaw, Ben Foden and Mike Tindall.

For the residents of the exclusive Wentworth Estate this is a week in their lives when everything slows to almost a halt. Getting about on the main island becomes tricky as the roads are full of golf lovers all anxious to wander on the fairways of England’s finest golf course and watch the pros at the top of their game.

Wentworth resident and local business owner James Wyatt has lived in the area most of his life and tells us of the thrills of the PGA week:

“I live on Wentworth and work in Virginia Water so life is not too stressful for me during PGA week. In fact I love the buzz of it. It turns our sleepy village into the centre of the universe for a few days. There are limos, TV crews, dozens of celebs and huge amounts of fun and frivolity, not to mention champagne and strawberries!”
James Wyatt runs the award winning Estate Agency, Barton Wyatt with his brother Rupert. They became the third generation of Wyatts in 1998, the agency and indeed the village has gone from strength to strength over the years.

In June 2013 the Telegraph reported that Virginia Water, famed as the home of Bruce Forsyth and Wentworth golf club, was crowned the most expensive village in the country in a survey that revealed a huge jump in the number of property millionaires across Britain. The Telegraph further stated that “Average values in Virginia Water have climbed 6pc in the past year and in one street, Portnall Rise, homes average £4.3m.”
James Wyatt is more reticent about prices in the area, saying:

“Virginia Water and Wentworth are often painted as the most unbelievably expensive place to live outside London, but we really do cater for all pockets with two bedroom flats for £250,000, detached houses for £600,000. But I am also very happy to sell anyone a new house for £30m!!”

For more information about James Wyatt and his award winning agency, Barton Wyatt, please call 01344 843 000, visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk or follow James on Twitter for the latest news.

Millgate triumphant once again at London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014

Millgate triumphant once again at London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014

by Viv United Kingdom

Quintessential British house builder Millgate proved triumphant once again at this afternoon’s prestigious London Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2014.

Now in their 23rd year, the London Evening Standard New Homes Awards is a glittering occasion which celebrates the diversity and excitement of the housing market in the South East of England where the much of the UK’s cutting edge new homes industry occurs.

Held at one of London’s finest venues, the Dorchester Hotel, the awards were well attended and host comedian Dara O´Briain did a sterling job of presenting the twelve awards open to house builders and developers both large and small.

Championing clever design and creative solutions that solve the challenges of city living, the awards recognised projects which showcase clever lighting, inspiring use of space as well as the wow factor in fabulous family homes and luxury apartments.

With the Judging Panel comprising industry experts along with London Evening Standard readers, the breadth of award categories reflected the diversity of the South East property market from Best First-Time Buy to The Eco-Living Award and Best Development in the Affordable Homes Sector.

Chart Ridge, Trevereux – Highly Commended Out of London Home

Millgate were highly commended in the Best Out of London Home category for their exceptional development close to Oxted, Surrey.  This development has been unusual for Millgate as it is their first mixed vernacular site.

Chart Ridge at Trevereux is created from what was originally a convalescents home attached to Charing Cross Hospital and later a pioneering centre for Marie Curie Research Institute.  Millgate have respected the character and history of the original property on the land, retaining the derelict building’s façade as well as extending to the rear in order to create six luxury apartments.

This wonderful residence is flanked either side by two luxury six bedroom mansions complete with five en-suites, a super-sized Master Suite and a colossal downstairs living area incorporating kitchen, dining and several seating areas.

Trevereux also includes a milestone project for Millgate as this was the first time in the developer’s 25 year history that they have deviated from their classic design style and included a contemporary modern home on the site.

Ashworth House, Bardfield – Highly Commended  Best Family Home

Once again the delighted Millgate team were highly commended in the Best Family Home category for their sumptuous six bedroom residence, Ashworth House at Bardfield in Sunninghill, just two miles from the internationally renowned Ascot racecourse.

Ashworth House sits within substantial landscaped grounds and reflects meticulous attention to detail in design, specification and architectural integrity – again setting the benchmark for building excellence.

This wonderful house offers exceptional family accommodation arranged over three storeys and boasts a magnificent central galleried staircase with spectacular chandelier.  The downstairspiece de resistance is the vast kitchen/family room which features several interesting areas designed for integrated family living.  Three further large reception rooms are ideal for entertaining.

Upstairs the master bedroom suite was created to mirror a luxury hotel suite; there are en-suite bathrooms to all of the other five bedrooms plus a bonus bedroom/games room. Staff can also easily be accommodated within the annexe which is found over the triple garage.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales & Marketing Director atMillgate commented on today’s event,

“We focus our attention on building beautiful high-quality homes, priding ourselves on innovation, design and craftsmanship and ensuring that we tend to every little detail. I believe this is what sets us apart from other house builders and it’s wonderful to have been acknowledged by both our industry peers and readers of the Evening Standard.

“We are a committed team at Millgate and that is most certainly why our homes are as sublime on the inside as they are splendid on the outside. The dedication, professionalism of our staff and subcontractors are precisely why Millgate succeeds. It’s a pleasure working with them.”

For more information on Millgate call 01189 343 344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Ascot racecourse apartment sales gallop ahead

Ascot racecourse apartment sales gallop ahead

by Viv United Kingdom

No other event links haute couture and top level sport with such finesse; I give you Royal Ascot which attracts a whopping 500,000 visitors every year. The pull of glamour, the presence of the Royal Family and the dramatic flat racing go hand in hand with cutting edge fashion, champagne and the chance of a little flutter. This is what drives the crowds back to this Berkshire town year after year.

  • Royal Ascot (17th – 21st June 2014) attracts 500,000 visitors every year
  • Show Home Open Day on Saturday May 17th at Westbrook House, Ascot
  • Westbrook House now over 70% sold, last 4 apartments remain

In its 303rd year, Royal Ascot commences on Tuesday 17th June culminating with the ‘last race’ followed by ‘singing around the bandstand’ at 6pm Saturday 21st.  Thursday 19th June is the much loved ‘Ladies Day’ where inspired millinery creations will be perched upon the heads of glamorous fillies teetering in their stilettoes.

 

This year, on the East side of the race track, are ten new home owners who are itching for the excitement to start.  Westbrook House was completed by award-winning luxury home builderMillgate back in January. Fourteen top of the range two and three bedroom apartments, each with two underground parking spaces proved fabulously appealing with already ten of the fourteen fine properties snapped up, mainly by local downsizers who wanted somewhere easy to live without giving up any of the benefits of their beloved Ascot.

 

Indeed back in June last year, Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate predicted this for Westbrook House:

 

“I anticipate that these apartments are likely to be bought by downsizers from the local area who no longer have the need for a large family house but love the town too much to leave.”

 

Jonathan today remarks,

 

“Well nobody likes a smart Alec but I am delighted that I got this one so right.  We have been the talk of the ‘downsizers’ in Ascot with literally dozens coming for a look around our stunning Show Home. Some are not quite ready to take the downsizing plunge just yet but the interest is there so perhaps we will need to build Westbrook House II soon!

 

“Our proximity to Ascot racecourse has definitely been a draw of these apartments. As the crow flies they are about 800 meters from the grandstand however they are far enough away that Royal Ascot will be a pleasure and not a disturbance for residents.”

 

A special Open Day has been arranged at Westbrook House on Saturday May 17th. These key ready homes are guaranteed to bring any keen race goer a great deal of pleasure or for those just looking for a luxury apartment that is easy to lock up and leave when required these are just perfect.

 

Ascot itself boasts an array of fine dining options, an abundance charming shops, some of the finest schooling in the country and is situated in ´Royal´ Berkshire which does sound terrifically grand.

 

For more details of the opening event or a brochure on these charming apartments contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344 or visitwww.millgatehomes.co.uk.

Millgate set to give new lease of life to Woolley Hall

Millgate set to give new lease of life to Woolley Hall

by Viv United Kingdom

Luxury homes builder Millgate has announced that it has acquired the magnificent Woolley Hall on the outskirts of Littlewick Green in Berkshire.

The house and land have a rich history that spans several centuries from their first mention dating back to the beginning of the 13th century. Over the years since then, Woolley Hall has passed from the hands of the Forester family through a fine selection of the British aristocracy.

The most recent notable to have resided in Woolley Hall was George Dunn, a bibliophile and keen student of palaeography and early printing. Dunn lived there from 1886 until his untimely death in 1912, aged just 47. Mr Dunn was an expert on no less than four different subjects: astronomy, arboriculture (the trees he planted are one of the hall’s fascinating and unique features), horology and antique books.

Throughout his life, Dunn built up an impressive library at Woolley Hall, collecting early English law books, medieval manuscripts, early printed editions and stamped bindings. He was one of the first British collectors to notice and preserve these artefacts, a tradition which Berkshire has proudly carried on since through its leading library service, which this month sees the popular LibraryFest 2014 event draw to a suitable close with World Book Night at West Berkshire’s Newbury and Theale Libraries.

No doubt Dunn would be proud to see his literary heritage carried on in such a way. After his death in 1912, Dunn’s library was broken up and sold off to collectors worldwide, realising over £30,000.

In his personal life, it was rumoured that poor George Dunn suffered from a broken heart; the story goes that on the morning before his wedding day, his bride-to-be ran off with his brother! The wedding breakfast, which was laid ready for the celebration, was left untouched for the remainder of his life in an eerie yet somehow fitting echo of that of Miss Havisham in Dickens’ Great Expectations.

But quite unlike the gloomy ending of Miss Havisham’s Satis House, Woolley Hall is having new life breathed into it.
Millgate’s plans for the Woolley Hall seek to quietly reflect and continue prolong the proud grandeur and tradition of the original buildings. The fabulous development will see Woolley Hall converted into luxury apartments, while the original stable block will be skilfully transformed into highly desirable mews houses. Within the grounds, a small selection of discreet, luxury country mansions will be added to complete the overall development.

Jonathan Cranley, Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate, comments,
“We are so excited here at Millgate to have been able to purchase this wonderful ancient estate. Turning this grand country seat and parkland into a selection of the finest homes will be one of the most exciting projects we have undertaken to date. The team is keen to get to work on such an energising project and to build some of the UK’s most stunning homes as part of the Woolley Estate legacy.”

For more details on the work to be undertaken at Woolley Hall contact Millgate on 0118 934 3344.

Luxury homes for green fingers: Celebrate RHS National Gardening Week with a Millgate mansion

by Viv United Kingdom

This week, 14th to 21st April is National Gardening Week. Launched three years ago by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), this annual event has grown into the country’s biggest celebration of gardening.

  • 14th – 21st April 2014 is RHS National Gardening Week
  • 2014 marks 50th anniversary of RHS Britain in Bloom
  • Millgate spend £240,000 on the gardens for Wargrave project

2014 also sees the RHS celebrating the 50th anniversary of RHS Britain in Bloom, the UK’s largest volunteering project which encourages anyone from a complete novice to a green-fingered expert to get involved and breathe life back into green spaces, neighbourhoods and communities all over the UK.

One business that does not need any encouragement to get their gardens in bloom is Millgate, the multi award-winning Berkshire based luxury homes developer. 

When Millgate complete on the purchase of a new development plot, the first aspect they start work on is the garden. Whilst one might expect developers to turn their attention to demolition and ground breaking to tee off any project, this is not Millgate’s style at all. Breaking with normal construction tradition Millgate turn their initial attention to the natural surrounds and how to maximise their appeal.

Matthew Brazier, Senior Sales Manager for Millgate, explains:
“Working on the landscaping at the early stage of a development pays enormous dividends later. As a priority we look at the established grounds of any development and then shape, tailor and update where necessary. This gives established plants the time they need to re-grow and shape as we want them prior to launch.

“Our award-winning garden contractor is Berkshire-based Treetop. We work with the experts to produce the landscape plans for planning submission with Treetop consulting closely with us at every stage, deciding together which existing mature trees, hedges and ornamental plants should be retained as well as where new flora will be introduced.

“The Millgate philosophy is simple; if someone is looking to buy a beautiful home then it must be set within a beautiful plot. Focusing on the landscaping from day one allows us the maximum amount of time for the foliage to flourish as desired resulting in stunning grounds well before the Show Home launch takes place. Aware that we will be working on the site for up to a year or sometimes longer, 25 years of construction experience has taught us some brilliant tricks of the trade, of which investing time in the garden early on is definitely one.”

Closer to launch Millgate introduce final planting to give the grounds that wow factor. This phase is common in the construction industry butMatthew Brazier explains what it is that sets Millgate apart:

“I have worked in residential industry for 10 years and yet I have never seen the level of attention, detail and funds that goes into a Millgate garden. For instance we had a recent project in Wargrave of small mews homes.  The external garden costs came to almost £240,000.  Needless to say the houses sold quickly!”

Sales and Marketing Director for Millgate,Jonathan Cranley, adds:
“At Millgate we work in hand in hand with Treetop who, like us, have a desire to stand out from the crowd. They understand what we want and they deliver exactly that; it makes our job so much easier when we have like-minded partnerships of this nature. Treetop have created numerous medal-winning gardens and attended at all the major RHS shows like Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace and Tatton Park, so there is no denying they are at the top of their game.”

The latest project that Treetop assisted Millgate on was a luxury development Trevereux, just outside Oxted. Here the gardeners were challenged by the houses sitting on the edge of an escarpment, meaning steep slopes down to stunning infinity pools with views stretching dozens of miles out to the South Downs.

Fiona Bruce, an RHS Chelsea Flower Show medal winner from Treetop, comments:
“Everyone was in awe of the views at Chart Ridge, Trevereux, they are completely stupendous but it was very challenging to work on this project due to the original gradient. With some careful terracing and sculpting of the land, it is now much easier to get about on. For privacy we planted six metre high Thujas (evergreen conifers), which had to be guyed and staked in place because of the slopes – and that was during the wettest winter for years, which was certainly challenging! We also planted specially grown trailing evergreens into the retaining terrace walls so that they would be green very quickly.”

Fiona goes on to explain how Treetop select plants for each individual development:
“We generally focus on low maintenance plants, as everyone has such busy lives. We also try to ensure that nearly everything is evergreen, partly to help reduce maintenance (no leaves falling in autumn) and partly to provide year-round colour and interest. We import many large specimen trees and shrubs from European growers to create an ´instant´ maturity to complement Millgate´s properties. It´s very important to make each garden as flexible as possible, since you don´t know whose garden it is going to be or for what purposes they will be using it. Very often we are asked by purchasers, after they have bought their new homes, to further develop their new gardens with them, which is a wonderful opportunity to take the landscaping to the next level.

For more information on Millgate and their wonderful gardens contact 0118 934 3344 or visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk. To talk to Fiona at Treetop contact 0118 934 4132.

Keeping the family together – forget a Google hangout, try a kitchen hangout!

by Viv United Kingdom

According to the latest Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index, 31% of 7-8 year olds now own a mobile phone, with the figure rising to 88% for 12-14 year olds. Meanwhile, the study found that 60% of parents are concerned that technology is fragmenting family time together.

  • Technology found to threaten family relationships (Halifax)
  • Resurgence of family values leads to promotion of the ‘kitchen hangout’ (Barton Wyatt)
  • Todays’ average child owns £924 worth of electronic devices (Halifax)

The worrisome report goes on to say that today’s average child owns some £924 worth of electronic devices, with 33% checking their phone for messages several times every hour. 64% of children also admit to using their devices in bed, including mobile phones (30%) and tablets (19%). The findings have raised concerns amongst parents that their offspring are finding it increasingly difficult to switch off and rest properly at the end of the day.

Estate agent James Wyatt holds some strong views on the subject:

“I have three children of my own, all approaching their teens, and fighting the technology war is like taking on your own version of ‘Game of Thrones’! You end up battling with your children instead of nurturing them, which is obviously what any parent really wants to achieve.”

Wyatt is Partner of leading estate agent Barton Wyatt, based in the millionaire paradise of Virginia Water. He is also the Chairman of the Surrey division of the NAEA and feels that homebuilders should be taking a more positive role in keeping the family unit together when constructing new properties. He is not alone in his views and has been pleased to witness the recent resurgence of family values in Surrey where Barton Wyatt is based.

“Creating the correct environment in the home is the key to family cohesion and happiness” believes James. “In the homes I have built for my family, I create welcoming and child-friendly kitchen hangouts, providing an alternative to the solitary ‘Google hangout’ of their bedrooms.

“Local developers too have embraced this idea. We’ve seen them adding more space into the kitchen instead of favouring a downstairs snug which used to be where the kids ‘stuff’ was.  In the modern houses being built in Virginia Water, the children are likely to have to go up to the second floor to find their games room, which can seem rather remote from Mum and Dad. We believe that instead they will prefer to hang out in a modern kitchen that provides sufficient space for the family to interact together.”

Some key areas that James thinks homeowners, parents and builders looking to create the ultimate family home should consider whenever possible are:

  1. Create a kitchen hangout – somewhere comfy for all the family to be. An easy chair or two and a flat screen TV on the wall work very well.
  2. Install Sonos or similar.  In the old days families might have sat around a piano – integrated surround sound systems such as Sonos are the modern day versions. These new music devices are brilliant for family entertainment.
  3. Say no to TVs in bedrooms – keep the televisions close to the hub of the house so you can sit and watch something together without losing the children to isolation upstairs.
  4. Consider a cinema room – not for all budgets, obviously, but another great way of having an easy family activity on hand for rainy days.
  5. Beware where you put the Xbox or PlayStation.  If you can bear to keep it close to your kitchen hangout, you will end up spending more time with your children even if they are killing zombies whilst telling you about their day.

“Taking smartphones and digital technology away from children is not the answer for family harmony,” continues James. “We need to learn to live with this equipment and embrace it into our lives but show our children that this is just one aspect and not the entire world. There is still room for a game of Scrabble or Monopoly – andnot the online version!”

For more information on making the most of family life through a house with a perfect kitchen hangout, contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

Multi-generational living more attractive than ever before as ‘granny flat’ Council Tax halved

by Viv United Kingdom

Last August 25th, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles announced new government plans to remove an unpopular Council Tax surcharge on family annexes or so-called ‘granny flats’ in an effort to support the housing needs of extended families.

  • Council Tax rates for lived-in annexes to fall by 50% as of April 2014
  • Tax break expected to knock £500 a year off total household Council Tax bills
  • “Does an live-in au pair qualify?” asks James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt

This reduction of 50% in Council Tax is due to come into effect in April 2014 with many households containing annexes welcoming the estimated £500 annual saving.  The reduction will only be applicable to annexes however which are supporting a family member – so grandparents or young adults most likely.

James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt, the leading estate agency in and around Wentworth, Surrey, where almost every house has an annexe whether it be for the granny, the nanny or the chauffeur, comments:

“In our neighbourhood we are unlikely to benefit from this Council Tax reduction which is a great pity.  In Wentworth these annexes are almost exclusively used for housing staff, whether it be an au pair, a house keeper or a cook.  The reduction only comes into play when ‘family members’ are residing in the annexe, achieving slightly divorced living arrangements, a sort of family apartheid!!

But Wyatt goes on to say, “there is a good argument to say that an au pair is part of the family and not an employee in the traditional sense, therefore anyone with an au pair should be entitled to this reduction.  The UK government website states that an au pair should be treated as a member of the family they live with and get ‘pocket money’ instead of a salary – usually about £70 to £85 a week. We will definitely be looking into this further.”

With an already estimated 24,150 family annexes present in the UK, it is hoped this tax break will encourage more families to build so-called ‘granny flats’ further boosting the construction industry and enabling more older people to live independent lives.

James Wyatt goes onto suggest a possible alternative to this double taxation if you are building a new home:

“The current legislation is all to do with kitchens! If you are building a new home and you only install one kitchen then I believe only one Council Tax will apply.  The moment you start adding a second kitchen you are in trouble. Obviously the very nature of an annexe means you need a kitchen. There’s little point having granny or nanny squirreled away if they need to appear in the family kitchen every time they want to make a sandwich!”

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.

On the Market: Homes with annexes

Waterford House, Wentworth Estate
£4,250,000

Five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five reception rooms, cinema room, games room, three car garage with studio annexe over with shower room and kitchenette, beautifully landscaped gardens.

Waterford House was built in 2005 for the current owners, a house of considerable charm and character and individuality. No expense was spared in the construction of the house using the finest materials and construction methods. Of particular note is the amount of technology within the house with Crestron and Lutron systems controlling the audio visual, curtains, blinds and even the running of the bath via IPhone technology. Throughout the house there is a feel of sophisticated luxury with attention to detail and design.
The property is approached through wrought iron gates on brick piers with a driveway that has ample parking for many cars.

The gardens were designed and created by Urban Red Landscape Architects who have managed to achieve a wonderful variety of changing colour throughout the seasons. An extensive terrace spans across the rear of the property to a slightly raised dining area off the concertina doors from the kitchen. A pathway leads around the perimeter of the rear garden to a sun terrace in the north west corner of the garden with an attractive pond and water feature. In the centre of the garden is a very attractive Rill which can be seen as you come through the front door of the property. The gardens are really quite a feature of the property and should be viewed to be appreciated.

Park Place, Windlesham                                                                                                              £6,250,000

This is a magnificent country house which stands impressively within a mature woodland setting and approached via a private road.  Wrought iron gates open onto a gravelled drive flanked by mature trees and rhododendrons which leads to a central fountain in front of the house.

Built in 1995, this Georgian style property has been built to an exceptionally high standard.  The imposing reception hall with a central staircase, marble and granite floors with under-floor heating, a hand-made kitchen and custom made furniture in many parts of the house all blend to create a unique and wonderful home.

Ground floor includes: reception hall, dining room, cinema, drawing room, music area, kitchen and utility, sitting room, study and cloakroom.

First floor has the master suite and 4 further bedroom suites.  Second floor – another 4 bedroom suites.

The ample garage will house 3 cars and has a staff flat over.  A generous cottage in the grounds offers further accommodation with kitchen, living area, 3 beds and bathrooms.

St Christopher, Virginia Water
£3,750,00

St Christopher is an elegant and impressive family home built in approximately 1994. The main reception rooms are laid out in a formal fashion, yet the kitchen/breakfast room which incorporates a generous conservatory overlooking the rear garden offers a comfortable living space, ideal for family and formal gatherings.

Set well back in a mature and established gardens, the property has an air of elegance and grace but also provides a good degree of privacy and security behind the electric wrought iron gates.

Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and separate dressing room, guest bedroom with en-suite bathroom, four further bedrooms, entrance hall, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast room incorporating conservatory, family room, utility room, one bedroom annexe with en-suite bathroom, triple garage, gardens.

For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.