Communities Minister, Marcus Jones MP was keen to learn how Help to Buy has helped homebuyers at Linden Homes’ Home @ Heartlands development in Redruth during a recent visit.
The Minister toured the new development with Nigel Palmer, Linden Homes’ managing director and the team, along with Paul Britton, area manager at the Homes and Communities Agency. They discussed the importance of the Help to Buy scheme where over a third (42 per cent) of sales at Home @ Heartlands have been made through Help to Buy.
During the tour, they visited Florin and Gina Strugariu, who live with their three children aged 13, seven and four. The family bought a three bedroom home at Home @Heartlands at the beginning of 2014, using Help to Buy. They had been renting a three bedroom house in nearby Tolvaddon for £605 a month and now only pay £535 per month for their mortgage.
Speaking about his move, Florin said: “We’re delighted that Help to Buy has enabled us to buy our own house and save £70 a month in the process! We’ve lived in the area for the last 12 years and finally buying our own home was a real milestone for us, we’re over the moon.
“It’s great having a home that is so new – no old boiler that needs replacing or leaky roof, but a modern kitchen and a brand new bathroom! We absolutely love our new home, it’s well-designed and we’ve noticed a reduction in our energy bills too.”
Communities Minister, Marcus Jones MP said: “I was impressed that local people have been able to join the property ladder at Home @ Heartlands thanks to the Help to Buy scheme, it really is helping people to make that crucial move.
“It’s great to see first-hand how the scheme is benefitting people and how enthusiastic Linden Homes is when it comes to apprenticeships and local labour.”
The company is committed to training hundreds of people under its Linden Homes National Apprentice Programme and currently supports 111 apprentices in the South West.
The Minister met Danielle Bush who has recently qualified after taking an apprenticeship in business administration and is now employed directly with Linden Homes.
Linden Homes South West’s managing director, Nigel Palmer, said: “We were pleased to welcome the Communities Minister Marcus Jones MP to Home @ Heartlands. The new homes, Help to Buy scheme and the training opportunities have been very positive for the Redruth community and it’s certainly a development we are very proud of.”
Providing 133 new homes, Home @ Heartlands employs 60 local people on site each day, including 10 apprentices. The development is nearing completion, with 85 per cent of homes already sold, and won the Michelmore’s Best Residential Project of the Year Award 2015.
The homes are being built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which will reduce energy usage and have a positive impact on utility bills for all residents. Each property has an increased level of insulation and triple glazed windows to ensure heat loss is kept to a minimum. The homes are also fitted with a high efficiency boiler with pre-heater water supply, photovoltaic panels, plus smart metering and energy display devices so you can keep track of how much energy you’re using. Energy efficient lighting and glazing will improve natural day-light and there is also a natural rainwater collection for garden use.
Designed to reflect the local Cornish heritage and architecture in the county’s historic mining centre, the development will feature a range of one and two bedroom apartments, plus two three and four bedroom homes for sale. There are currently one bedroom apartments and three bedroom houses available with Help to Buy.
To clarify the Help to Buy process Linden Homes has created a new step-by-step animation which gives a simple overview of the scheme. To view the animation, visit: www.lindenhomes.co.uk/helptobuy
Linden Homes is creating a number of new developments in the South West in Exeter, Okehampton, Kingsteignton, Paignton, Goodrington, Totnes, Plymouth, Westward Ho!, Camborne, Redruth, Truro, Duporth and Penryn.
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Media can contact Emma Mackay on 01626 356666 or 07738312960 for more information, images and interviews with Linden Homes.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
