News
Click here for the latest City & Country Group news and press updates.
16th January 2012
With the current economic climate forcing many people to endure longer working hours and greater financial pressures,the idea of the home being a safe haven in which homeowners can relax and enjoy their free time is becoming evermore important. Quality of life frequently tops the criteria list of those looking to make their next move,and with a recent Halifax survey ranking Brentwood 5th in a list of the best places to live in the UK, City & Country Group are offering local house hunters a brilliant opportunity to become a resident of this popular town, with its selection of luxury homes at the award-winning development, The Galleries.
13th January 2012
As uncertain market conditions look set to continue in 2012, latest reports that homes built before 1919 have soared in value in the last 25 years* are bucking the trend, inciting prospective home buyers to search for properties with character, to provide a reassuring sense of security and the knowledge that their property will retain its value. With 82% of estate agents said to believe that period architecture boosts the value of a property, and 78% thought it made a property sell quicker**, the popularity of period properties is unlikely to wane, and award-winning restoration specialist, City & Country Group, hopes to show how historic homes, such as those on sale at Balls Park, in Hertford, can be an investment purchase, and a safe bet, for those looking to make their next move in the housing market
10th January 2012
City & Country Group, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, is pleased to confirm the next round of public exhibitions on the redevelopment of the historic Bristol General Hospital.
The forthcoming exhibitions will be the third in a series of public engagement events City & Country have held with the local community since agreeing terms with the University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year to purchase the site, once the hospital facilities have moved to their new home.
22nd November 2011
With this week’s announcement of the Government’s new Housing Strategy, all thoughts have turned to the housebuilding industry, and how important agile and specialist developers are to improving the economic fortunes of the country in these austere times. STANSTED-MOUNTFITCHET based City & Country Group is one developer being recognised for doing just that, having won two of the property industry’s biggest accolades, at this year’s hotly contested, What House? Awards. The company, who specialise in the restoration and conversion of historic and listed buildings into luxurious, new homes, won Gold Awards for Best Small Housebuilder and Best Starter Home for 12 Kendall Court at The Galleries development in Brentwood.
14th November 2011
LAST NIGHT (10th November) saw the official launch of one of the UK’s grandest country mansion houses at the Grade I Listed Balls Park estate in Hertford. An invitation-only event saw the famous 17th century mansion open its doors as one of the south east’s most elite residences, for the first time since the site was originally acquired over ten years ago. Nineteen unique and luxurious homes are being released for sale in the mansion, with the first apartment in the West Wing available from today (11th November) providing the earliest, unique opportunity for residents to enjoy living in these sumptuous historical surroundings.
City & Country Group’s £180 million plans to restore King Edward VII Hospital near Midhurst approved
14th November 2011
Responding to today’s decision by the South Downs National Park Authority’s Planning Committee to approve City & Country Group’s plans to restore the historic King EdwardVIIHospital Estate, Helen Moore, Residential Managing Director, said: “We are delighted that the South Down National Park Authority have finally decided to approve our plans to preserve and restore this nationally significant collection of Grade II* and II heritage assets. Our proposals have received the support of English Heritage,Natural England and Chichester District Council – now,with the support of the SDNPA – we can insure that this much-cherished local landmark is saved and can begin to breathe new life into its historic buildings and gardens.
7th November 2011
At a time of great change in the planning system,with the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) set to replace amongst others the Planning Policy Statement for the Historic Environment (PPS5), English Heritage’s recently published ‘Heritage Counts’ report serves as a reminder of the importance of the heritage sector in creating an appreciation of and respect for the historic environment, whilst recognising the part it has to play in the economic, social and cultural well being of the nation.
1st November 2011
Developer City & Country Group, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist has announced the date of a public exhibition about its plans to redevelop Bristol General Hospital. The exhibition, which will form part of the second phase of consultation on the proposals, will take place between 12 noon and 8.00pm on 2 November 2011 in the Lucas Ward of the General Hospital.
24th October 2011
In today’s tough economic climate, in which increasing house prices and lack of mortgage availability are forcing more house hunters to rent rather than buy a property, it comes as no surprise that the number of people renting a home has risen by 40% in the past five years*. With bank savings accumulating little interest, investing in property for rental return alone is a highly attractive option. According to local estate agent Intercounty, City & Country Group’s Old Saint Michaels development in Braintree, Essex is indicative of this trend and is proving popular with savvy buy-to-let investors. Achieving high rental yields and strong capital growth, City & Country have noticed a rise in the number of investors looking to buy at the development; particularly now that the company has started offering a two-year yield guarantee, to remove the anxiety of securing suitable tenants.
20th October 2011
To coincide with yesterday’s (Wednesday 19th October 2011) publication of English Heritage’s 2011 Heritage at Risk Register, City & Country Group and architect George Clarke have launched a joint campaign – Save Our Architectural Legacy (SOAL). With over 5,000 of England’s most important Grade I and II* listed buildings shown to be at risk*, the Essex-based restoration experts are working with TV’s ‘Restoration Man’ to raise awareness of the country’s collection of historic assets and urging people to recognise the importance of protecting them.
12th October 2011
The sensitive renovation of RAF Bentley Priory, one of the most important buildings associated with the Battle of Britain and the Second World War, came a step closer last night; with City & Country Group having been granted further planning permission to convert Building 7, a former accommodation block, which sits in the grounds of the 57-acre Grade II* Listed estate, into five striking houses. Planning approval was also granted for the retention of Building 267, to be converted into seven apartments, as well as four newly proposed apartments in the Dining Room Block. Working in partnership, leading housebuilder Barratt Homes is also creating 89 luxury homes within the parkland grounds at the prestigious site.
26th September 2011
A stunning property complete with honeycomb ceilings and beautiful courtyard views has been released for sale at City & Country Group’s Grade II Listed Brentwood development, The Galleries; ideal for those wanting a sophisticated home, from which to enjoy the buzz and excitement of Essex. Having been dressed to a superior standard by City & Country’s own interior designer, 3 Pope Court offers the very best in modern décor, and is ready to make a stylish home for its future owner
20th September 2011
Award-winning developer City & Country Group has unveiled the next phase of its distinguished scheme, The Galleries; a stunning converted hospital in Brentwood. Last weekend (10th and 11th September 2011) saw the launch of Nightingale Court, which is the first selection of brand new apartments to be released at the development. With interest levels already high, the latest selection of apartments are expected to prove popular amongst those looking for the space, light and comfort of a brand new home, blended with historic surroundings.
LAST NIGHT (8th September 2011) saw the official launch of London’s newest prestigious residential address and iconic building: Bentley Priory in Stanmore. An invitation-only event saw the opening of its doors for the first time since work on the exciting and sensitive redevelopment of the former RAF Bentley Priory began earlier this year. Once Headquarters to the Fighter Command during World War II; a museum will open in 2012 and homes will be released for sale from next month, providing a unique opportunity for residents to enjoy living in these splendid surroundings.
12th August 2011
Elena comments: "We both knew that Balls Park was special; the homes are incredibly beautiful, with so many unusual architectural details and set amidst vast grounds. There is a great sense of community spirit; my partner and I only moved here in May and have already met our neighbours and discussed organising some social events as more people move in.”
11th August 2011
Helen Moore, Residential Managing Director at City & Country Group, said: “We are delighted with today’s decision by Cherwell District Council to approve our very sympathetic proposals to breathe new life and purpose into one of the District’s very significant collections of heritage buildings. Today marks the start of a new chapter for this historic site, reinstating its original intended use as a place of residence and carefully adding a new layer of history through the restoration and conversion of the listed buildings, the sensitively designed landscaping scheme and the addition of a small collection of brand new homes.
12th July 2011
City & Country Group, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist has agreed terms with University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the landmark Grade II listed Bristol General Hospital. The company has established a reputation for prestigious and sensitive conversions of listed and historic buildings. This will be City & Country’s first major development in the south west.
11th July 2011
This week the first image of London’s latest and most prestigious residential address, Bentley Priory in Stanmore, has been officially revealed. The striking first illustration unveiled by new homes housebuilder Barratt Developments and restoration expert City & Country Group provides the first glimpses of the exciting and sensitive redevelopment of the former RAF Bentley Priory, once Headquarters to the Fighter Command during World War II.
11th July 2011
With the final, eagerly awaited Harry Potter film due to hit cinemas this Friday (15th July) the gothic splendour of Hogwarts Castle will be dominating our screens once again. The magnificent castle is an architectural gem, with towers, turrets and spires providing a fine example of Gothic style, and will surely leave many viewers looking for their own type of Hogwarts-inspired home. Whilst the final film whips fans into a frenzy, City & Country Group are providing a brilliant opportunity for Harry Potter enthusiasts to purchase their own version of a Hogwarts home, with the remaining selection of properties available at their popular Essex development, The Galleries, in Brentwood.
20th June 2011
A series of luxury apartments with terraces overlooking the beautiful courtyard gardens will be the final phase of properties to launch at City & Country Group’s Old Saint Michaels development in Braintree this weekend (Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June); a move that is set to have local house hunters rushing to snap up the last of the incredible homes available at this popular development.
8th June 2011
This weekend (11th and 12th June) will see award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, City & Country Group, unveil its next collection of eagerly awaited properties at the Grade I Listed Balls Park in Hertford. The Grade II Listed Coach House, built in 1902, which sits alongside the famous 17th century mansion, has been transformed into a range of nine breathtaking apartments, which blend with and enhance the original fabric of the building.
7th June 2011
Despite nearly a third of potential first-time buyers saying they have given up on the idea of buying a home, and most expecting to not be able to secure a mortgage until they are 38*, a lucky few teens and twenty-something’s are tearing ahead, prepared to spend big to secure their dream home. City & Country Group’s Old Saint Michaels development, which was this week featured on screen on BBC Three’s latest television series ‘Young, Rich and House Hunting’, showing some of the country’s most affluent young people as they hunt for their perfect pad, boasts a collection of beautifully restored period apartments duplexes and mews houses that make extra special homes for first-time buyers.
25th May 2011
Consistently ranked amongst the best cities in the world, London is an undeniably popular place to live, but as demand for housing increases, property prices have been pushed up to nearly double the national average for the rest of the country*, and many city workers are being priced out of the market. Commuting into the city has become an increasingly logical practice, with over 700,000 people travelling into the capital every day**. This allows many young professionals to out-smart the London property market, such as Richard Sandlan and his girlfriend Jessica Johnson, who looked to City & Country Group’s development The Galleries, in Brentwood, to provide a commuter home which, though a little further away from work, provides far better value for money than its inner-city alternatives.
24th May 2011
With the average age of a first time buyer now 38 and requiring an average deposit of £33,883* - a big ask for even the most stringent saver – first time buyers are looking for properties with incentives to help them find their first home. Award-winning conservation & restoration specialist, City & Country Group is lending a helping hand to young house hunters this Bank Holiday weekend (Thursday 26th – Monday 30th May) at its Balls Park development in Hertford, offering valuable incentives, in a bid to provide them with ample opportunity to purchase their dream home on the stunning Grade I Listed country estate.
19th May 2011
Architect George Clarke, has joined forces with award-winning conservation and restoration experts City & Country Group, to help preserve Britain’s architectural heritage. The Channel 4 series ‘The Restoration Man’, sees George rescue some of the most architecturally important buildings in Britain by converting them into unique homes, a task which City & Country Group undertakes on a daily basis, fighting to save architectural treasures across the south east of England and transform them into innovative and sensitively realised and individual contemporary homes.