The Edenstone Group is progressing well with construction of new homes at St Mary’s Garden Village.

The company has welcomed residents into 263 of the 348 homes – that’s 75% of the development. The figure includes those who’ve bought their homes, rental properties and those purchased using shared ownership.

Along with new homes, there are acres of open space for residents to enjoy. These include play areas, a formal garden, wetlands, and allotments.

One of the final pieces in the puzzle is a net-zero community hub that generates more renewable energy than it consumes. The gym ,which is exclusive for residents of the new neighbourhood, is already proving popular.

Edenstone Group operations director Chris Edge said: “Work at St Mary’s Garden Village started in early 2019 and, in response to demand, we released the first homes for sale off plan that summer before opening show homes. The transformation is simply remarkable and is testament to the hard work of the entire team – from those involved in planning and designing the development, the construction workers building the homes and creating the community facilities, to the sales team helping match people with their perfect property.

“As residents have moved in, friendships have been formed, helping the new community have the feel of a well-established neighbourhood. We have residents who’ve hosted charity bake sales and others who’ve almost adopted the resident ducks by feeding them on their doorstep.  Those who’ve taken on allotments have offered advice to like-minded neighbours and their produce with those living and working here. It’s truly become somewhere people love living and we hope that continues long after we’ve sold the final homes.”

Mum of four Katie Furnell said: “It’s a lovely place to bring up a family for the location and all the activities it has on site.”

Katie who is studying childcare alongside having a young family of her own is considering starting a weekly baby club in the community hub at St Mary’s Garden Village.

“There’s nothing like that around here and it would be a chance for the parents in the village to get together and meet each other,” Katie added. “It’s an opportunity to help integrate residents and create a strong community which is what St Mary’s Garden Village is all about.”

Ian Paterson and Laura Paterson Groen relocated from Switzerland to St Mary’s Garden Village.

Ian said: “Having things like the gardens, walking trail and community hub with gym was an important selling point.”

Laura added: “It’s really nice to have things like ponds on the doorstep as it means we don’t have to take the car to go for a walk. There’s a brilliant cinema nearby at Labels and the first big shop is about a 15-minute walk away or we can wander into the town centre in around 25 minutes.”

St Mary’s Garden Village features everything from one-bedroom maisonettes through to family-sized four-bedroom homes, and everything in between, including bungalows. Currently, with Edenstone’s Move in for Christmas promotion there are additional savings to be made on a number of homes.

Selected homes are available through the HomeReach shared ownership scheme. Subject to eligibility there’s the opportunity to purchase a 50% share of a one-bedroom maisonette from just £92,500.

Open market prices start from £250,000, for a two-bedroom semi-detached Ashmore, which is well-suited to first time buyers and downsizers alike.

The largest home within the new community is a four-bedroom detached Monmouth, priced at £499,995.

All homes at St Mary’s Garden Village achieve an EPC rating of B with the potential to reduce energy consumption and running costs.

According to research from the HBF, the average new build homebuyer saves more than £1,600 on their energy bills over a year compared with those living in older properties. For those living in houses rather than flats or bungalows, the annual saving is £2,200.

For the latest availability and pricing at St Mary’s Garden Village see www.edenstonehomes.com/st-marys-garden-village, or www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/stmarys.