First Time Buyers Use Help to Buy to Get a Foothold on the Bedfordshire Property Market

First time buyers Ben McLennan and John Skarratts have purchased a three-bedroom home at Hayfield Place in Silsoe, Bedfordshire. The move was made possible thanks to the Government’s Help to Buy initiative.

Ben – age 32 and John – age 34, were living with Ben’s parents in the neighbouring village of Flitton in order to save up for a deposit and make their first steps onto the housing ladder. Ben works as an Electronics Engineer in Bedford, while John is a Passenger Services Executive for Singapore Airlines, based at Heathrow. After 20 months of saving, and by using Help to Buy, they have purchased a three-bedroom Buckland home with a stunning open-plan kitchen/diner.

Ben McLennan said: “John’s parents relocated from St Albans in Hertfordshire to Hayfield Place a few months ago, to move closer to us. We had been saving for a deposit for a long time and were getting frustrated that there was nothing suitable for us to buy locally. When helping them to move in, we discovered there was a Buckland home available that was eligible for Help to Buy. We reserved the day after we viewed the plans and had a site tour, as it was our perfect first home and we didn’t want to risk missing out.

“We are absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to move in only eight weeks after signing the reservation form. Having friends and family over for Christmas get-togethers will be really special. While using Help to Buy adds an extra dimension to the purchasing process, it’s enabled us to buy a beautiful brand-new three-bedroom Hayfield home in a very peaceful setting. I grew up in this area and we know it like the back of our hand. The vast English Heritage Wrest Park Estate is spectacular for dog walks and picnics, and now it’s only a few minutes’ walk from our front door.”

The 14-acre Hayfield Place scheme features 105 exceptional two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom executive family houses and bungalows. The homes have been selling ahead of the build programme and the current release ranges in price from £525,000 to £875,000. Hayfield’s exclusive £5,000 Key Worker Discount is offered to all those who meet the criteria.

Hayfield Place has been designed to reflect architectural styles from the sought-after historic village, weaving in local materials and detailing. The new homes are being constructed in red and buff brick and render with a luxurious specification that is unmatched in the area. The specification features include underfloor heating, ROCA/Laufen bathrooms, Minoli ceramic tiles, Hammonds fitted wardrobes, Farrow & Ball paint, heritage bronze door furniture and bi-fold doors. The bespoke kitchens include a range of integrated Bosch appliances, such as multifunctional ovens, an induction hob, and a dishwasher.

A Renz Intelligent Parcel Box has been installed to enable parcels to be delivered safely and securely to those who aren’t at home. New public footpaths, a balancing pond, a biodiversity corridor that runs across the site, and a new section of bridleway and cycle route are all being created to connect Hayfield Place into the local Bedfordshire footpath network.

The nearby towns of Milton Keynes, Luton and Bedford offer a wealth of shopping, restaurants, entertainment and sporting facilities. Luton airport is 12 miles away, and Flitwick Railway Station is four miles away, making it an ideal location for those wishing to travel for pleasure or commute.

The development is located at High Street, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4ES. The show home is open seven days a week from 10am – 5pm. For enquiries, please telephone 0800 048 4865 or email hayfieldplace@hayfieldhomes.co.uk. More information on Hayfield Place is available here: https://www.hayfieldhomes.co.uk/development/hayfield-place