Bushey school comes top at history
The first new-build houses are coming out of the ground at Royal Connaught Park, the redevelopment of a former school in Bushey, Hertfordshire by developer Comer Homes. To launch in late October or early November, Blenheim House and Hampton House are both three-bedroom homes with large terraces.
Going on sale at the same time is the redevelopment of the former cricket pavilion as a 3,810-sq ft four-bedroom house, called The Pavilion.
Comer Homes and its agent Statons have seen strong sales on the site in recent months, with residents moving into newly-built apartments in Eton House and Argyll House.
Eton House offers two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments, each with a terrace or balcony, at asking prices from £525,500. Apartments in Argyll House are also two-bedrooms but are larger and are priced from £589,000, while the biggest of all, a 2,300 sq ft three-bedroom, four-bathroom flat with utility room and balcony, is priced at £1.099 million.
There are more apartments to come in a block called Queen Victoria. This has four two-bedroom, two-bathroom flats and is also due for launch in late October or early November. Is this Queen Victoria as portrayed in the Sunday-night ITV drama starring Jenna Coleman? No — it is genuine Victorian heritage, as the site dates from the time.
“We used a lot of the heritage from Royal Connaught Park’s former uses when we came to name the buildings we are selling,” says Caroline Comer of Comer Homes. “The Duke of Connaught was one of Queen Victoria’s sons.” Comer also reflects the school’s history in the names of its individual buildings, such as the Pavilion and also the Headmaster’s House.
“We have the old boys come back here a lot,” says Comer, “and they are happy we are retaining the original names. They come back in a bus-load every three months. A lot of them are in their 90s now. They love the sense of continuity.” EDITED BY CHARLIE JACOBY Hampton House and (top left) its lounge, at Comer Homes’ Royal Connaught Park. House prices not yet released