Pet project for puppy love
LIKE Youtube yoga and family Zoom quizzes, buying a puppy became a lockdown phenomenon this spring with prices for pedigree and designer dogs going through the roof.
But puppies grow up fast and
– just like children – dogs need gardens to play in and access to nearby open spaces, both top of the must-have list for people thinking of moving at the moment.
They are among the reasons why first-time buyers and new dog owners Nicola Casbolt and Dom Gordon are so pleased they have moved to their three-bedroom house in West Sussex.
Despite being within commuting distance of London it ticks all the boxes for location and space – their garden looks out over a field – and it’s perfect for their new addition.
“We’ve just bought a puppy and having the space for him to run around in is wonderful, plus there’s lots of green spaces locally which we can’t wait to take him to once he’s had all of his jabs,” says Nicola, 32. “This is the life we’d always wanted, and we’re thrilled to finally be here.”
Nicola and Dom were renting a two-bedroom flat in Bromley when they inherited enough money to get on the property ladder and started looking for a home near Nicola’s family in East Grinstead.
The couple knew Help To Buy was
With canine companions a major lockdown purchase, DEBORAH STONE looks at dog-friendly developments that make walkies a treat
their best option, because only a five per cent deposit is required, so they concentrated on new-build developments and finally found Clock Field, a Shanly Homes development in Turners Hill.
Prices for a three-bedroom home at Clock Field start from £515,000 (01342 616105; shanlyhomes.com) and anybody buying now would also benefit from the stamp duty holiday on the first £500,000, which continues until the end of March.
A few three, four and fivebedroom houses are still available and feature Shaker-style kitchens, en-suite and family bathrooms and flexible living spaces.viewing is by appointment only but the website has a virtual tour and flythrough.
Another dog-friendly new development is St Luke’s Park in Runwell, Essex, where 575 homes are being built over five phases on 200 acres of land that was once the site of Runwell Hospital, near Wickford.
The village-sized development includes woodland areas and the houses have gardens with lawns already laid, while open space nearby includes the Essex coast around Southend and Leigh-on-sea.
This urban regeneration scheme is just launching its fourth phase of 134 homes, which includes 20 low-cost home ownership plots, 27 affordable homes and 87 houses with two to five bedrooms.
The original hospital building has been renovated and converted into apartments and the hospital chapel has also been restored. There’s an on-site sports and social club and a new primary school is planned.
As well as appealing to dog owners and families, St Luke’s Park is well-placed for commuting to London Liverpool Street from Wickford railway station and there are also trains to Chelmsford, 10 miles away.
Prices for the latest phase have not yet been released but there is one four-bedroom semi-detached house still for sale from phase three at £469,995 (01268 857067; countrysideproperties.com), with viewing by appointment only.
We all know that dogs are for life, not just for lockdown, but moving to a dog-friendly environment will also give buyers access to the countryside that so many of us now desire.