The large town of Swindon is well-known for its big employers and its excellent transport links with key towns and cities in the south of England, including London, Bristol and Reading. Less well-celebrated, however, is the fact that Swindon is home to museums such as STEAM; cultural venues such as the Wyvern Theatre and the Swindon Arts Centre; and also hosts several annual arts festivals such as the Swindon Festival of Literature, and the wealth of sporting facilities is unrivalled for a town of its size. There is also an excellent choice of brand new apartments in Swindon for those planning to set up home there.
Central Swindon
Now that The Whytes development from Bovis Homes is completely sold out, the spotlight is falling on the D2 development from Barratt Homes for those hoping to find a property providing modern urban living in the heart of Swindon. A choice of contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments are priced from £84,995 to £104,995, with the Head Start shared equity scheme available for first time buyers and key workers. This means buyers can buy a new home with only 80% mortgage and a five per cent deposit; Barratt pays the other 15%, and the buyer can pay this back in up to ten years. With shops, restaurants and bars virtually on D2′s doorstep, the apartments are ideal for younger buyers looking for style and town centre convenience.
Southern Swindon
For house buyers hunting for property in the south of Swindon, Bloor Homes has a range of new-build properties at Wichelstowe, a specially planned extension for Swindon just off Croft Road. Located just to the north of the M4, this development also offers purchasing schemes to help buyers, including the BloorHomesStart 2 scheme. With this, buyers can own 100% of their home now for an agreed percentage of the price – then pay the remaining percentage when they sell. Alternatively, they can settle in full at any time within the next 10 years.
For example, the ‘Hartford’ three-bedroom townhouse is priced at £189,950, but buyers can pay just 90% (£170,995) now, and the rest later. Eventually the Wichelstowe community will incorporate some 4,500 homes, yet almost 50% of the site will remain ‘green’, with trees, playing fields and country parks giving the development a semi-rural feel. A new school is planned as well as other facilities, retail outlets and commercial units. From one-bedroom apartments up to large five-bedroom homes, there will be a wide choice of properties available.
Northern Swindon
Several new developments are springing up on the northern edge of Swindon, which has the benefits of the town centre within easy reach to the south, and beautiful countryside just a stone’s throw away in other directions. One of these is the popular Eagle Heights development from Matthew Homes, split into Phase I and II and perched on the edge of the new village of Priory Vale. The village has its own leisure and lifestyle amenities including a library, local schools and a retail park, and properties there are priced from around £99,950 to £260,000 for one-bedroom through to four-/five-bedroom homes – and many have already been snapped up.
The variety of new homes for sale in Swindon and the surrounding area are sure to appeal to a wide range of buyers to fit most budgets and tastes.