From young couples planning their first move onto the property ladder to up-sizing families and older buyers looking for retirement homes, there are new developments in Lincolnshire to suit all stages of life. This largely agricultural county in the east of England promises a laid-back lifestyle, with lots to offer house buyers who love spending time outdoors.
There's cycling and walking in the Lincolnshire Wolds; golden beaches at resorts such as Mablethorpe and Skegness; birdwatching at the Lincolnshire Fens; and nature reserves at Gibraltar Point, Saltfleetby and Theddlethorpe. There are also plenty of high street shops in larger towns such as Lincoln and Grimsby, and excellent independent stores in attractive market towns such as Louth, Alford and Horncastle.
Homes for first time buyers and families
Just two miles from Grimsby's centre, Redrow's Kirk's Paddock is a family-friendly development offering a choice of traditional two- to four-bedroom homes from £104,950. With open spaces to play and relax, and Grimsby and Cleethorpes close by, there's plenty for families to do, including a swimming pool and an ice rink at Grimsby Leisure Centre and a multi-screen cinema and other entertainment at the Meridian Point centre.
At the north-west edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, less than half a mile from the centre of the lively market town of Caistor, Ben Bailey Homes has created The Grange - a collection of family townhouses and executive detached homes priced from £167,960. The development offers the best of both worlds: excellent amenities close by, and pretty countryside on its doorstep. Incorporating new special edition four-bedroom homes with a higher-quality specification, these homes include contemporary kitchens, luxurious bathrooms and well-planned living spaces. Several purchase assistance schemes are available, including Part Exchange for buyers with an existing home to sell, and NewBuy for those struggling to raise their deposit.
Barratt Homes also has numerous developments in Lincolnshire, including Saxon Village, which is proving popular with both first time buyers and families. Home to three- and four-bedroom homes priced from £152,995, the development is only half a mile from Grantham's historical centre, within easy walking distance of shops and amenities, and less than a mile from Grantham station, which has express services to destinations such as London, Nottingham and Edinburgh.
Exclusive, high-end family homes
David Wilson Homes is also very active in the region. At the more exclusive end of the scale, Burghley Place offers traditional three- to five-bedroom homes in the lovely village of Barnack, three miles from the market town of Stamford, priced from £339,995. Offering a pleasant setting with views over fields, these homes are selling fast, with just one now remaining. Commuters can easily reach the A1 and A47, giving access to the wider region, and nearby Stamford station is on the Birmingham to Peterborough line. For families with children, Barnack Pre-School and Barnack C of E Primary School both have excellent reputations - and the village is also in the catchment area for the sought-after Arthur Mellows School in Glinton, with a daily bus service.
Homes for the over-55s
In the heart of the historic market town of Bourne, close to many local amenities, award-winning house builder Larkfleet Homes has created The Croft, aimed at the over-55s, and priced from £145,000. Centred on a manor house, the 68 one- and two-bedroom bungalows and three-bedroom chalet bungalows share the communal facilities of the manor, and have external maintenance taken care of.