Autumn 2015 NEWSLETTER ISSUE THREE

Downsizing without compromising

Photography of a street view at Royal Wells Park

For many parents, the pinnacle of being on the housing ‘empty-nesters’. So they decided to by the overall attention to detail of the ladder is often considered to be when they are settled in sell the ‘family home’ in Tunbridge property, which we know Berkeley Wells two-and-a-half years ago and Homes is well respected for,” Jonathon their ‘family home’ - a place for them to watch their rent a property in the locality, more added. “From the stunning Alno children grow in a comfortable and stable environment. recently moving into a five bedroom kitchen and top of the range Siemens So it can sometimes be difficult to imagine moving again detached house. As long term appliances, to the quality of finishes residents of the idyllic market town, and technological infrastructure – it once the children have left home. But often the sheer they wanted to stay in the area, so gives us the perfect foundation to amount of empty space which surrounds parents often decided in 2012 to invest in a smaller, create a wonderful new home.” leads to them considering downsizing to a smaller more manageable home. They had a “We have lived in Tunbridge Wells for specific wish list of key criteria that property both for financial and practical reasons. such a long time, so it is home to us. their new home had to meet – which It provides an excellent balance would become their fourth property The challenge is to find the right 54-year-old Jonathon Howard runs between sophisticated town and rural purchase together. home to downsize to without having a business consultancy primarily splendour, with the Weald and Downs to compromise on well-proportioned from home with clients in the UK They paid £724,950 for their four on the doorstep. It also has a really living space or quality. One couple and abroad, whilst Alyson, 52, is bedroom townhouse, which comes buzzing local business economy, with from Tunbridge Wells found this was a Chartered Certified Accountant with a garage, terrace and garden, a range of eateries, boutiques and high possible to achieve when they based in Sittingbourne, Kent. and is set within landscaped street stores, plus the Assembly Hall discovered the luxuriously appointed Having watched their three children, grounds in a prestigious location Theatre and Trinity Theatre, which homes being built by Berkeley aged 28, 26 and 23, grow up and within Royal Wells Park. stops it from becoming merely a Homes (Eastern Counties) at the move out, the couple found commuter town, which others have “As well as the contemporary Royal Wells Park development. themselves in the position of being suffered to their detriment.” townhouse design, we were drawn in (Continued on page 2)

01892 532 011 www.royalwellspark.co.uk Sizzle into a sustainable summer… Photography is of a Royal Wells Park show home interior and is indicative only.

“In our view, Royal Wells Park is the Jonathon commented: “We looked “It’s within easy distance of London, Royal Wells Park will also include a Grammar, and Tunbridge Wells catchment of the excellent local With the warmth approaching and best positioned premium residential at other established properties, but the seaside in Brighton and Hastings, purpose built, one-form-entry Grammar for Boys, plus several schools, we recognise that Royal the sun shining down for longer development that the town has had could not find anything that met so and the international gateways at primary school for 168 pupils which other private options and some of Wells Park is also a prime location for many years, and will probably many of our criteria – central to the Gatwick and Folkestone make it a will open from September 2015. The the UK’s most renowned universities for families. Our children are grown days, here are a few tips on how hold that status for a long time yet. town, good communication links and perfect location for business, leisure new school is a welcome addition to and high learning institutions within and gone – ironically via Tunbridge to live sustainably and efficiently It is in the perfect position within most of all design and quality. Being and family life. Alyson works in an area already teeming with easy commuting distance. Wells Girls’ Grammar School and during the summer months! walking distance of all of the town’s able to walk from home to the station Sittingbourne, so has a 90 minute prestigious educational institutions, Skinners – so whilst we were not Although considering schools for amenities, from the shopping and is really a bonus, so the train services round trip to work. I will have a 10 including ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated directly influenced by the school, their now grown up children isn’t leisure facilities, and transport links are always available and once the minute walk to the station and then primary schools include St James we believe the long-term value high on the agenda for Jonathon • Bring the butterflies back! Choose nectar rich plants for both locally and into London, through congestion within the town is cleared, 50 minutes on the train when visiting Church of England Junior School position is definitely strengthened and Alyson, they do acknowledge your garden for your butterflies to drink such as buddleia, to its proximity to the Common and the A21 provides quick and simple clients in London, so it will also be and Claremont Primary School, while by being within the catchment of the potential financial incentive for milkweed and mint! the countryside beyond.” access to the M25 and beyond.” very easy for me. Other clients are for older children there are three the Grammar schools. They have buying in close proximity. (Continued from cover) easy to get to from the central grammar schools: The Skinners’ a significant impact on demand • What would summer be without a barbeque? If you barbecue Tunbridge Wells location too.” School, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ “With the new primary school being and thus property value.” frequently at home, consider replacing your charcoal grill built, plus its position within the with a gas one. Gas grills generate fewer air pollutants than Royal Wells Park offers 2 and 3 bedroom apartments burning charcoal! and 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses. • Buy organic and locally grown vegetables and meat as often A Safer Neighbourhood as possible, to support your local businesses.

Residents are enjoying the peace of mind of added security and For more information please call 01892 532 011 or visit • Xeriscaping is a way to garden using minimum water and a safer neighbourhood following some landscaping changes at energy! Group your plants by their water needs and put high www.royalwellspark.co.uk Royal Wells Park in conjunction with Encore, which have been need plants in naturally wetter areas of your property. commended by the local Crime Prevention Team. The improvements include lighting to the rear of gardens, raised landscaping beds Properties are priced from £449,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment • Save on water by covering plant beds with composted leaves and digital access locks to communal pathways. and £700,000 for a 3 bedroom house. or grass to retain moisture.

01892 532 011 www.royalwellspark.co.uk Construction update Work is progressing well at while our prestigious Royal Wells Park, with our first townhouses and mews houses phase Whitefield Court (Block are undergoing basement level E) now in the final stages of structural steelwork. being decorated. The block will Two new phases of houses and be ready for the first residents apartments are currently under to move into next month, while tender review. Infrastructure, the roofs of the townhouses in land profiling and road building the same phase are now being are due to commence, the first installed. These homes are in September 2015 for 24 scheduled to be handed over to weeks, and the second in April residents in March 2016. 2016 for 22 weeks. Over at Jacoby Court and The concrete frame of the Henrietta Place, the apartment office block and school is building’s flooring and now complete. staircases are in preparation, Photography is of a Royal Wells Park show home interior and is indicative only.

Sales update

With the April Easter holidays, the General election and two Bank Holidays all taking place in May this year, the Spring/Summer property market started off quieter than usual, Sustainability however July has seen increased activity in the sales office with a good Update number of visitors actively seeking The team at Royal Wells Park have a new home and delighted to see been busy building the first Bug what Berkeley are building in this Hotel on the development, thanks superb location. to Pantera Carpentry. The hotel is More buyers have now moved into made entirely from recycled their beautiful new homes and we materials, such as wooden pallets. are preparing for another influx of Solitary bees like the holes in the residents in the autumn. hotel during pollination and the dry The team are also preparing for leaves are great for insects and our exciting show house launch invertebrates to burrow inside. (pictured here) this Autumn and Beetles, centipedes, spiders and anticipation is mounting for the woodlice all live beneath the much-awaited release of more decaying wood and are essential stunning four and five bedroom parts of the woodland recycling townhouses at Royal Wells Park. system!

0189201892 532 532011 011 www.royalwellspark.co.ukwww.royalwellspark.co.uk