Coach houses are the ideal starter homes for young people looking to get on the housing ladder in Bedfordshire, according to Linden Homes. The developer, which is part of the Vistry Group, says the coach houses’ unique design combines the convenience and modern lifestyle of an apartment with the privacy and outdoor space afforded by a traditional house – at a price which is affordable to first-time buyers.
A selection of two-bedroom coach houses, called The Oakley, are currently available at Linden Homes’ St Marys development in Biddenham, off Bromham Road.
“A coach house is a unique property which has the living area built above a carport or a garage. Although the origin of the property style dates back to the days before cars, when these were homes situated above a stable to help ensure that horses and carriages were kept safe overnight, the coach house offers several benefits to the modern homeowner,” said Hannah Dorner, senior sales manager for Vistry East Midlands.
“The 21st Century version of the coach house combines many of the best elements of living in an apartment and a house. They are particularly attractive to young first-time buyers because they offer the single-storey living of an apartment with the added benefits of a private garden and parking directly below the property.
“The Oakley features a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor, with two allocated parking spaces – one in a car port underneath the home and one further allocated space.”
The Oakley coach houses at St Marys are available for £265,000. According to the property website Your Move, the average house price in Bedford is £297,075.
“Another reason why coach houses are a good option for first-time buyers is that they provide a genuinely affordable way of getting onto the property ladder. As well as being available for less than the average asking price in Bedford, the Oakley coach houses are also eligible for the Government’s Help to Buy scheme as they fall comfortably within the East of England regional price cap of £407,400,” added Hannah.
“This means that first-time buyers can purchase one of these properties with a smaller, five per cent deposit, and a 75 per cent mortgage. This is supported by a 20 per cent equity loan from the Government which is interest free for the first five years. The Oakley therefore represents a great opportunity for first-time buyers to secure a new home on the much sought-after development at St Marys where a vibrant new community is forming.”
Linden Homes is currently building 118 new homes in a second phase of building at St Marys. The first phase of 129 homes at the site, which is part of the wider Kings Field neighbourhood, was completed in 2020.
The Kings Field development, planned since 2001, will eventually deliver around 1,300 new homes and is providing a new road linking the A428 to the A6. As part of the Linden Homes contribution, the developer is providing a new primary school and sports pitches.
