News

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.

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 5^th 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.

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

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.

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.

LAST NIGHT (10^th 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 17^th 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 (11^th November) providing the earliest, unique opportunity for residents to enjoy living in these sumptuous historical surroundings. 

 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.

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.

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.

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.

To coincide with yesterday’s (Wednesday 19^th 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.

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.

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

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 (10^th and 11^th 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 (8^th 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.”

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. 

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.

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.

With the final, eagerly awaited Harry Potter film due to hit cinemas this Friday (15^th 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.

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 18^th 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.

This weekend (11^th and 12^th 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 17^th century mansion, has been transformed into a range of nine breathtaking apartments, which blend with and enhance the original fabric of the building.