Bucking the trend for talk of ‘doom 'n gloom’

A local house builder seems to be bucking the trend for talk of ‘doom 'n gloom’ as their current sites chalk up record sales.

Lockley Homes - who primarily develop in Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the Cotswolds - have such a strong following that many of their plots sell ‘off plan’ - before they are completed - and this pattern hasn’t changed over the last few months.

"Those who seek their news from what might be classed as ‘traditional' media channels may be forgiven for thinking that the we are all doomed. If it isn’t talk of imminent economic collapse then 'climate catastrophe' is the other favourite topic and I couldn’t believe my ears the other day when I heard that this already alarmist and controversial description had been ‘upscaled’ to that of ‘global boiling".

"It is clearly bonkers talk and our purchasers are not showing any signs of being put off as they go about their lives” says managing director of Lockley Homes, Karl Lockley.

"Despite the challenging backdrop of the last few years, Brexit, an election, Covid and now the economy being more challenging than it was, we are adapting to our customers needs although our traditional model of the highest quality homes in great locations is still in demand."

"During and immediately following Covid, we certainly noticed a greater level of enquiries for larger houses on larger plots, which has not abated, and whilst we hope there is not another 'repeat Covid need' for them, it is more a reflection that working from home is more commonplace now and two people both requiring an office a fairly regular occurrence. That combined with escaping from larger cities and enjoying gardens and larger plots has certainly remained a strong draw."

"Whilst the rise in interest rates will certainly have a negative impact on some, those with mortgages in particular, our clientele are often in the fortunate position of being mortgage free or downsizing and releasing equity and the flip side of the interest rate coin is that those with savings are now receiving a reasonable return on those savings which is a side of the story rarely mentioned”.

Lockley are currently on site in Alstone, what some may describe as a fairly sleepy, edge of Cotswold village not far from Winchcombe, and for Lockley it ticks all of their development box requirements.

"There are only seven houses on the development which adds to the exclusivity, of course, and the views are wonderful. Five of the seven have sold and the first residents will be moving in during September.”

A very different proposition, however, is Lockley’s development in High Street, Henley in Arden where a development of one town house and five apartments are well on there way to completion.

“Henley is such a unique place and its values would suggest it is probably the most sought after true ‘town living’ venue that we have in this part of the world.”

“Both the penthouse and the townhouse at our Dear’s Leap project were sold off plan and our agent has a queue of potential purchasers waiting to view. Experience has taught me not to guess who will be our ultimate buyers but I’d be surprised if Dear’s Leap doesn’t
have its share of downsizers for the 2 bedroom apartments which are perfect for those looking for lock and leave properties.”

In addition to Alstone and Henley-in-Arden, Lockley Homes will shortly be starting developments at Inkberrow, Fernhill Heath and Bretforton and enquiries are welcome to their selling agents, Harts Homes on 0156479 1111 or additional information at www.lockleyhomes.co.uk