TICKING THE BOXES FOR RETIREMENT AND ENERGY SAVINGS IN ROSS ON WYE

The couple moved to their new Edenstone home at St Mary’s Garden Village not knowing that energy prices would rise so rapidly and are thankful that it’s so well insulated.

Anne says: “We wanted a house that was efficient to run. We set the thermostat, and since the weather started to get colder, I think the heating has come on once for half-an-hour, and we’re as warm as toast. We use around half the energy we used to.”

Energy efficient wasn’t the only item on the couple’s list of must-haves when they were considering moving.

“We wanted to be among people in our retirement. We wanted to be near Ross on Wye so that we could walk into town, including to our favourite restaurants,” Anne explains.

“We wanted to move to a home that was more manageable and practical, easy to run and low maintenance, where everything was brand-spanking new so we didn’t have to worry about things going wrong.

“And that’s what we’ve got – worry-free, stress-free living with a sense of community.”

Anne and Keith looked at other developments and properties but Edenstone at St Mary’s Garden Village stood out for the beautiful finish and the style of homes.  They moved into their four-bedroom Farnham style property just over a year ago. 

“We fell in love with it straight away. We loved the house and the look of the development,” says Anne. “We have the most incredible views from our home which overlooks the woods. There are two lakes as we step outside our front door.”

Their home is double fronted with a separate lounge and study either side of the large hallway. At the rear of the property is a spacious kitchen, dining and family area with doors leading out into the garden.

Upstairs are four generously-sized bedrooms, the main benefiting from a luxurious en-suite shower room and a dressing room, plus a family bathroom.

“It’s smaller than our old home, which also had four bedrooms, but we didn’t have to compromise on rooms,” says Anne.

“We have a lovely kitchen that we live in during the day. I love the double patio doors leading into the garden. It lends itself to our lifestyle with plenty of space for dinner parties.

“The study is a reading room for Keith and somewhere our granddaughter can watch TV when she visits. We go into the living room in the evening or when we’re entertaining.

“We love the main bedroom and the dressing area, and the fourth bedroom we’ve used as Keith’s office.”

Anne and Keith have made lots of new friends since moving to St Mary’s Garden Village.

“We’re looking forward to the community hub opening and being able to join in with a range of activities and groups,” says Anne.

Her granddaughter loves the playground installed within the new community, while her grown-up children will use the trim-trail and her

“It all feels so safe too,” Anne adds.

St Mary’s Garden Village will eventually feature 348 homes and community facilities including a play area, allotments, and formal garden – which are already completed – and walking and fitness trails with equipment, a gym within a community hub, and a kickabout area and cycle-hire which are planned.

All of the Farnham style properties, like the Shiltons’ home, at the development have now sold, but there’s a chance to own a Monmouth style home, which looks similar from the outside but has an extended ground floor family area/kitchen. The Monmouth is available from £499,995.

For latest availability and pricing see www.edenstonehomes.com/st-marys-garden-village, or www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/stmarys.