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Britain has a wealth of historic listed buildings which reflect the history of our communities and public services on both a local and national scale. The need to preserve these buildings for future generations is significant, but in the context of today’s economic climate and widespread budget cuts, many of these properties - which are notorious for being difficult to maintain and expensive to run - are at risk of being abandoned and falling into a state of disrepair.

With recent figures released from the RICS Residential Market Survey[1] showing that new buyer enquires rose to their highest level in over three years last month, it is soon becoming apparent that developer incentives and Government-backed schemes, such as the new Help to Buy scheme, are making a substantial impact on the UK’s housing market.

City & Country is delighted to announce that it has won two awards at the prestigious 2013 LABC Building Excellence Awards and Evening Standard Homes and Property Awards

The new Crossrail line could create £5.5 billion in added value to residential and commercial real estate when it launches in 2018, as well as increase property prices by at least 20 per cent in suburban areas, according to a new report by GVA.* The report stated that the Eastern Crossrail line which will extend to Brentwood station, will  have a significant impact on the property market; providing commuters with at least 12 trains per hour to and from central London, as well as reduced journey times. 

The Garden Quarter offers an exclusive selection of highly individual, sensitively restored and converted Grade II Listed cottages and apartments within a historic 23 acre parkland setting. Located within a mile of Bicester North Station and just 12 miles from Oxford

Situated in the heart of the Mansion House at Bentley Priory this outstanding 3 bedroom 3 bathroom suite is arranged over three floors and offers an exceptionally unique living space. From the East and West balconies there are views over the London skyline and the 50 acres of picturesque parkland that surround the development. There is also access to the beautiful Italian gardens from the South facing level one private balcony.

Set among 63 acres of picturesque parkland, the Grade I Listed Balls Park in Hertford is an imposing country house, which exudes classical elegance.

With a longstanding reputation in design excellence, the in-house interior design team at award-winning restoration specialist City & Country is one of the many hidden weapons behind the company’s success in recent years. As the business celebrates its 50^th anniversary with rising sales and a growing property portfolio, Karen Cox and Liz Freeman are the dynamic duo working behind the scenes to create the stunning interiors for which the company is known.

City & Country is spreading Christmas cheer at its exclusive Balls Park development in Hertford by hosting a carol concert in the historic vestibule of the Mansion House. Students from Duncombe School will be singing a selection of Christmas carols from 6.30pm on Thursday 6^th December, whilst guests enjoy champagne next to the 25ft Christmas tree, designed by City & Country’s expert interior design team.

City & Country, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, has welcomed Bristol City Council’s decision today to approve its proposals to restore the iconic Bristol General Hospital.

  King Edward VII Planning Update. 
  Last week we gained planning consent at King Edwards to allow us to make improvements
  to the scheme. The changes will result in a more sensitive conversion of the historic entrance
  significantly enhancing the architectural quality of the scheme.

Conversion and restoration expert City and Country have had its multi-million plans to restore the historic Bristol General Hospital refused by Bristol City Council. The proposed plans were set to breathe new life into the harbourside area and would have generated over £170m of economic activity in Bristol.

City & Country is holding an exclusive event at its prestigious development, Bentley Priory, Stanmore to showcase its three new beautifully appointed bedroom show apartments within the Mansion House. Potential purchasers are invited to visit between 10am and 5pm on 30th June and 1st July to enjoy a glass of champagne and a tour of the Grade II listed properties which have been lovingly restored and converted to create historic yet modern homes.

Restoration and conservation specialists, City & Country, are inviting first time buyers to an exclusive open weekend at its newly launched development, The Garden Quarter in Caversfield on 7^th and 8^th July. First time buyers can visit the sales and marketing suite between10am and 5pm, to get expert tips and advice from the City & Country team and mortgage advisors as well as enjoy a tour of the development. Purchasers making a reservation on selected plots at  the weekend will also receive an exclusive package which includes  stamp duty, legal fees, and survey fees.*

Conversion and restoration expert City & Country has announced the launch of Aspire, a new incentive for first time buyers at Nightingale Court, the latest phase at The Galleries in Brentwood. The new incentive provides a helping hand for first time buyers wishing to purchase an apartment at the popular development.

Restoration and conservation specialist, City & Country, is inviting investors to an exclusive open weekend at its newly launched Caversfield development, The Garden Quarter, on Saturday 21and Sunday 22July. Over the weekend, potential investors can visit the sales and marketing suite between 10am and 5pm, to get expert advice from the City & Country team about the excellent long term capital growth and rental yields they can achieve when purchasing a property at the  transformed former RAF base.

City & Country, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, is pleased to confirm that it has completed its purchase of the landmark Grade II Bristol General Hospital from University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

Conversion and restoration expert City & Country is delighted to announce the launch of its new luxury show apartment within the historic Grade II* listed Mansion House at Bentley Priory, Stanmore.

Conversion and restoration expert City & Country has announced excellent sales success at its latest development, The Garden Quarter in Caversfield. Since its launch in June, 50 per cent of the first released units have been sold, with many of the buyers coming from the local area

Conservation and restoration specialists, City & Country, is opening its first show homes at The Garden Quarter in Oxfordshire this month, offering an exclusive selection of beautiful conversion apartments and cottages with contemporary interiors in an historic 23-acre parkland setting on the edge of Bicester.

City & Country’s restoration and conversion of a landmark 17th century estate, on the outskirts of Hertford, Balls Park, has won two top industry awards. The company, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, saw its West Wing apartment, a stunning conversion within the Grade I-listed mansion house win ‘Best Apartment over £1m’. The entire Balls Park development, which includes the conversion of a Grade II-listed Coach House built in 1710 and The Stables, built in 1902, was ‘Highly Commended for Best Restoration’ at the 21st Annual Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2012, which was recently held at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

A stunning property complete with a beautiful private roof terrace and views across the landscaped gardens has been released for sale at City & Country’s Grade II Listed Brentwood development, The Galleries; ideal for those wanting an elegant and contemporary home from which they can enjoy all that Essex has to offer. Finished to an impeccable standard by City & Country’s interior designer, 11 Nightingale Court features the very latest interior design trends and is ready to make a stylish home for its new owner.

Following the South Downs National Park Authority’s decision last November to approve its plans to restore the historic King Edward VII Hospital Estate, City & Country, the award-winning restoration and conservation specialist, is delighted to have begun preparations to return these architecturally important buildings and listed gardens to their former glory.

May I begin with a note of congratulation on the publication of your NPPF. It has been received to broad acclaim, there is no doubt revisions were required and you are in a morally auspicious place judged as a man of sound conviction.

I would particularly draw attention to the merits of Section 12 - Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment. They are most warm words for our sector and instil confidence and great promise.

With the classic BBC period drama ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ having returned to our television screens, nostalgia for the ensuing sophisticated elegance of the early twentieth century is at an all time high. For modern-day house hunters looking to enjoy the same extravagant lifestyle as the wealthy Bellamy family in the programme, City & Country are making Upstairs luxury available for a Downstairs price, with its first release of apartments priced under £400k in the Grade I Listed Mansion House at Balls Park in Hertford.