AWARD-WINNING YORKSHIRE DEVELOPER WELCOMES BASE RATE CUT

A LEADING Yorkshire developer has warmly welcomed the recent cut in interest rates by the Bank of England.

Paul Brown, the managing director of award-winning Huddersfield-based Vivly Living, said the decision by the Bank to cut the base interest rate by 0.25 per cent from 5.25 per cent to 5.00 per cent has provided the embattled UK housing market with much-needed hope.

Major lenders such as Halifax, NatWest and Santander had all cut their mortgage rates in anticipation of a possible rate cut.

Mr Brown commented: “The cut to the base rate will deliver a timely confidence boost to the housing market in Yorkshire and across the UK. Despite headline inflation falling, the Bank had remained cautious about making a decision too soon that could reignite inflationary pressure. The time had now come to be braver, with inflation under control.

“For homeowners and those who’ve been looking to get on the property ladder, the past few years have been tough, but there are signs of it changing. Rates on mortgage deals have been falling, and I’m very hopeful that more cuts will follow.

“Summer is traditionally a busy time of the year for the housing market and this base rate cut should hopefully provide a new wave of confidence and affordability for many. With a new government in power that is committed to delivering near two million new homes, the bank’s decision could be a real turning point for homeowners and those who aspire to buy.

“There’s lot of pent-up demand in the market after months of political uncertainty and the base rate cut is the catalyst that we’ve been waiting for.

We’ve already seen monthly mortgage approvals sitting at consistently high levels as this pent-up demand across the market has been released and, with interest rates now starting to fall, there are genuine grounds for optimism in the residential property market.”

Vivly Living, formerly Yorkshire Country Properties, is currently on site with three successful West Yorkshire developments at Shepley, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale.

Paul Brown added: “This stability in interest rates and the general more optimistic market sentiment is now resulting in an increase in enquiry levels and sales at all three of our sites, especially in the over £450,000 house price sector.

“It is so important to remember that all parts of the new homes market aren’t in decline, despite what some pessimists might say. Our starter homes initiative at our three sites has been incredibly successful with first-time buyers keen to stop paying high rents and to climb on to the property ladder for the first time. There is also strong evidence to suggest that demand for well-built attractive family homes, correctly priced, remains healthy and should gather pace during the next 12 months.”

Vivly Living has just been shortlisted in Housing Project of the Year category for its successful Knowle Grange development in Shepley and the company won of a raft of regional and national awards last year.

Phase One of Knowle Grange comprises 31 houses, 28 of which have already been sold or reserved.

  “The Shepley development is a fantastic showcase for us. We are very conscious of building homes with both character and individuality, which blend in seamlessly with their immediate surroundings. Traditional stone exteriors, combined with contemporary interiors and stunning views, make our properties highly prized and unique. We are delighted they have proved so popular.”

Both Vivly Living’s other West Yorkshire developments at Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe are progressing well, with houses at its brand-new Denby Dale site having just achieved a gold star rating for their energy efficiency and environmental impact.

The Willows development, which comprises 34 new houses including eight one-bed starter homes, has undergone the Government’s rigorous Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) which assess a property’s green and sustainable credentials. The development has received an A rating, the highest SAP accolade there is.

Already nine of the Denby Dales homes have been bought, with a further two reserved. Prices range from £152,000 to £560,000 and the development will be fully completed by early next year.

Paul Brown added: “We are so proud of The Willows. Situated in the breathtaking Yorkshire countryside, yet still within reach of excellent local amenities, our development provides the best of both worlds with a vibrant yet peaceful lifestyle. It is also close to Huddersfield, recently named as the UK’s premier property hotspot.”