The Royal new apartments in the Lake District by Applethwaite Homes

Just a short post for today, having just returned from a weekend of soggy camping in the Lake District.Whilst passing through the beautiful lakefront, tourist town of Bowness-on-Windermere, a new development under construction caught my eye. When new property development takes place in areas of outstanding natural beauty, the process is often touched by controversy, but with the demand for housing greater than ever, even these zones need to add to their housing stock and I noticed that Bowness-on-Windermere along with many of the Lake Districts main tourist towns from Whitehaven to Kendal are embracing new development as part of their future success. The age old image of a tired English holiday destination is simply untrue, much like its Cornish surfing southern counterparts, Lakes towns are keeping up with modern day tourist demands by adding contemporary restaurants, stylish bars and modern shops to sit alongside traditional country fare and local historic architecture.

New property design is also receiving the same fresh touch whilst staying in keeping with local building design. Created in a joint venture between Maple Grove Developments and Robert Hughes Limited, The Royal is a mixed retail and residential scheme development under development by the Applethwaite Company. Preston-based Maple Grove Developments is part of the award-winning Eric Wright Group who recently received major recognition for Creative Land Development at the Insider Property Construction Award for the North West for 2006 and have had great success with mixed projects such as Wainwright’s Yard. The award acknowledges a commitment to maintaining an outstanding quality of development combined with individual and creative approach. Applethwaite arose from a desire to build mixed-use commercial / residential schemes in the Northwest of England and a similar philosophy led to the fusion of Maple Grove’s talents with those of boutique development firm, Robert Hughes, whose wide experience in crafting small select quality housing developments has a key focus on the conversion of redundant buildings, in and around the Lake to provide homes which retain the architectural character of the past, yet have all the comforts of modern living. Robert Hughes are a key part of Windward 2, a second phase of marina-front apartments and part of the larger Windemere Marina Village project.

The partnership of the two firms is already bearing fruit with the completion of Ferry House, in May. A flagship lakefront development refurbishing of a former grand hotel to create 13 luxury apartments enjoying 270 degree views over the western shores of Lake Windermere aimed at local property buyers by way of an occupancy clause.

The latest project to be launched, The Royal, is also aimed squarely at the local property market with a similar planning clause in place preventing the apartments being purchased for holiday or retirement usage. This clause ensures the properties are occupied as a main residence to those already living in the neighbourhood or those already working or coming to work in the region. This clause maintains village life with the aim of keeping house prices affordable for local people by preventing house price escalations driven by wealthier out of towners buying up property in key locations.

The site of the former Royal Hotel sits at the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere village, a focal point within the Lake District. Demolition of the existing buildings has just taken place and construction of a new landmark building is underway with the goal of blending contemporary architectural style with traditional elements of the original building to provide a focal point for the village. The scheme is a mixed commercial and residential development comprising up to 8 shop units available to rent and 9 luxury apartments for sale.

The apartments at The Royal are conveniently located to take advantage of all the amenities that Bowness has to offer and are only a short stroll away from the shores of Lake Windermere. The two/three bedroom apartments will be fitted out in a contemporary style to a high standard of specification, with luxury bathroom/en-suites and quality kitchen fittings. Most will have balconies from which to enjoy the views of the Lakeland fells. Secure underground parking will be provided and the apartments will be accessed via a lift.

The Royal development is a rare opportunity to acquire property in the centre of Cumbria’s most popular destination as property in areas of natural beauty commands a higher price. These findings are supported by recent research carried out by estate agents Haart, reveals that the average price of a property in the most popular national parks are 40% higher than in surrounding areas. Beauty, like everything else, has a price and owning in one of UK’s 12 national parks can add serious money to your property particularly in the South where people have to pay a higher price for beauty as the demand is much higher and there is relatively much less protected land.

Property Prices in UK National Parks showing average park price over surrounding areas.
Dulverton, Exmoor, Devon                 £163,000          £287,000        76.1%
Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire     £214,900          £352,800         64.2%
BoveyTracey, Dartmoor, Devon          £163,000          £257,000         58.0%
Windermere, Lake District, Cumbria    £126,800          £194,000         53.0%

As these locations become increasingly hard to find within the UK, demand for property here can only increase.

It is anticipated that the apartments will be complete ready for occupation in Autumn 2007. Sales literature and off-plan apartment prices are yet to be released but if you would like to register your interest in good time, please visit the Applethwaite Homes website where you can download their brochure and view floorplans.