Building on success

Apr 8 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

BANKS Developments has sold a second tranche of land at its mixed-use Bowesfield development in Stockton to David Barlow Homes, on the back of a successful first phase of development on site for the Newcastle-based housebuilder.

David Barlow Homes is planning to build 32 two-bedroom apartments and four townhouses on 1.3 acres of the riverside site, along with a small residents’ garden and other associated facilities.

The company has already built 51 three and four-bedroom family homes on a three acre part of Bowesfield. It said sales of these properties had been very strong.

Work on the new homes was set to begin last month, with occupation anticipated before Christmas.

Banks’ Bowesfield development contains more than 11 acres of new homes, a 30 acre business park and a 37 acre nature reserve on the banks of the River Tees. The nature reserve includes footpaths, footbridges and interpretative boards for use by new residents, employees and the local community.

Water features are located throughout the development, providing a cascade of water which flows into the reserve itself.

In addition to David Barlow Homes’ presence on site, Bowesfield also hosts residential developments by Barratt Homes and McInerney Homes, as well as commercial premises occupied by Audi, Lexus, Toyota, Archers Law, Handelsbanken and Alliance and Leicester.

David Barlow Homes was founded in 2005 by David Barlow, who set up Bett Homes in the North-east five years earlier. It has seven sites under construction.

David Barlow says: “Bowesfield is an exciting regeneration area with a wide range of features to recommend it, including excellent transport links, its riverfront location and the waterside park, and we have been working closely with Banks for several years to realise its residential potential.

“Our latest properties are aimed at young professionals, and with the growing number of successful businesses relocating to this area, we are certain that there will be strong demand for them.”

Ian Parkin, managing director at Banks Property, SAID: “Bowesfield has been a real success story, from both a residential and commercial property point of view, and David Barlow Homes’ decision to invest in more land and extend their presence on site shows just what an attractive proposition it offers.”