Allison Homes adds three news appointments to growing East Midlands region

We are delighted to welcome three new members of our East Midlands team to help drive forward our ambitious growth plans across the region.

Allison Homes East Midlands is a new region for us, covering Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with land recently acquired in Shepshed and Anstey.

Victoria Pointon, Cater Newbury and Tim Pyne have been appointed as Quantity Surveyor, Senior Engineer and Senior Land and Partnerships Manager respectively. Carter and Tim will be based out of the East Midlands Head Office, whereas Victoria’s role will see her working across the East Midlands region.

Victoria achieved an undergraduate degree in geography before joining Crest Nicholson in 2019 where she carried out further training and completed her master’s degree in quantity surveying.

Victoria said: “I joined Allison Homes to further my career and to be a part of the extremely driven East Midlands team. The role is an amazing opportunity to be a part of a small team setting up a new region and I’m excited to watch the division grow and achieve its goals.”

Carter commented: “It’s a rare opportunity to be involved early on in a new region. The role comes with the responsibility of setting up our first sites and being involved in new processes and procedures. I am looking forward to being a part of the team and contributing to its success in these early stages.”

Tim added: “After learning more about the company’s vision and growth plans, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The chance to be part of a new region and contribute to its success is something that excites me.”

Carter’s role as Senior Engineer is highly varied and consists of appraisal of all technical information for the purpose of informing land bids, instructing all relevant designs at the site won stage, progressing section agreements and ensuring all technical information is available and correct for site start and ongoing support to site for technical matters during build and management of adoptions and estate completions throughout and after the build has completed.

Carter said: “I am working with a great team of friendly and knowledgeable people who have fully involved me in the current projects from day one and have found Allison Homes to be very organised and well managed.”

As Senior Land and Partnerships Manager, Tim oversees all aspects of identifying new development opportunities, advancing land deals, and maximizing the value for each new site. He works closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure successful completion of projects.

Tim said: “I love diving into the technical details of new sites. I have always been fascinated by how things work and the process of bringing a concept to life. Seeing a project go from an idea on paper to a fully realised development is incredibly satisfying.”

Victoria added: “The region has been extremely welcoming. It is positive to see how the team all work together so closely to achieve the best result for the sites they are looking to buy. It is a very team focused ethos and everyone is there to help achieve the regions goals.”

Karl Edwards, Operations Director for Allison Homes East Midlands, said: “Victoria, Carter and Tim are excellent additions to the East Midlands Team. Their skills and commitment will play a crucial role in our expansion across the region, and I look forward to seeing all they achieve in their time with us.”

To find out more about Allison Homes. For more information on starting a career with the housebuilder, visit our careers page.

Allison Homes East shares top places to take your four-legged friends

To celebrate International Dog Day (Monday 26th August), we are sharing some of the best places that you and your pooch can spend the day together near our developments across the East region.

Kelly Toms, Sales and Marketing Director at Allison Homes East, said: “At Allison Homes we chose the areas we build in with great care, and we understand that anywhere our residents live also has to be perfect for their pooches, so we hope that sharing this list can help people find some great places to spend time with their furry friends.”

Secure dog parks

Secure dog parks are an excellent way to let your dog run wild without the worry of them running too far away or encountering other dogs or humans that may interrupt their fun.

High-energy dogs residing at our Frampton Gate development in Lincolnshire only have to contain their excitement for a few short minutes before getting to Sutterton Dog Park, which is comprised of two acres of secure paddocks and an orchard where dogs can run safely off lead until their hearts content. The park can be booked for individual use or for a fun day out with fellow trusted dog owners.

Four-legged residents of Abbey Park in Cambridgeshire on the other hand can make use of Thorney Dog Park. The private, enclosed dog park features an agility course, selfie stand for pictures and picnic tables for the human guests.

Dog-friendly pubs

A nice meal and a drink in a local pub is hard to beat, and being able to bring your furry friend along makes it all the better.

Residents of our Venus Fields development over in Suffolk can visit the aptly named The Dog pub, which describes itself as “extremely dog friendly” and welcomes your beloved pet in both the bar and restaurant. There is even a nearby 4km dog walk that patrons can take once their drink and food are finished.

The Plough is a quintessential English pub in Oakham, Rutland near our Farriers Reach development. The popular establishment is dog friendly and even has an onsite ice cream parlour offering Waggy Doggy ice cream.

Scenic walking routes

Walking your dog is important for their wellbeing and good for your health, and with the excellent locations we build in it can also be a great opportunity to take in stunning scenery.

Dog owners living in our Kings Meadow development in Newark are in luck, as they can plan their walking routes to pass through any of the non-roofed areas of the iconic Newark Castle and take in the breathtaking view whilst their four-legged companion enjoys the exercise.

Norfolk is well known for The Broads National Park which is within easy reach of The Oaks. Dogs are more than welcome and can enjoy exploring riverside paths, marshes, woodlands and even the waterways. The iconic historical suites Burgh Castle and St Benet’s Abbey welcome dogs, in addition to several pubs and eating venues.

Dog-friendly beaches

A day at the beach is hard to beat and dogs love the sand and sea almost as much as humans do. Our Wootton Grange development in South Wootton is just over half an hour away from one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk, Brancaster Beach. This coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also popular for windsurfing and kite surfing.

Find out more about our developments and the locations we build in.

Allison Homes joins the Deposit Unlock scheme – is it the new Help to Buy?

We are excited to announce that we have signed up for the new Deposit Unlock scheme, which aims to help property seekers secure their perfect home by reducing the burden of the initial deposit. The appeal of the scheme is similar to that of the popular Government-backed Help to Buy scheme, which ended in March 2023. But how similar are they?

Who is eligible for the scheme?

The first major difference is who the scheme is available to. Help to Buy was exclusively available to first time buyers, whereas Deposit Unlock was launched by The Home Builders Federation (HBF) in partnership with lenders and housebuilders, and is available to both first time buyers and existing homeowners. This means that buyers can use the scheme to upsize out of a home that they have grown out of if desired.

How much can buyers borrow?

In both schemes, the buyer is/was able to purchase a home with just a five per cent deposit*, which is a great help for buyers who are in a good financial position to make mortgage payments on a home but are having trouble saving up for the large deposit payment.

Help to Buy was an equity loan from the Government that meant first time buyers could pay a five per cent deposit and then borrow 20 per cent (40 per cent in London) interest free for five years, and the rest could be borrowed from a standard mortgage lender.

For Deposit Unlock, buyers pay the five per cent deposit and are then able to secure a 95 per cent mortgage, which is made possible because members of the HBF joined forces to create a nationwide insurance scheme that offers protection on participating mortgages.

With Deposit Unlock, the buyers are able to get the mortgage on homes up to the value of £833,250*, whereas with Help to Buy there were regional price caps which tended to be lower. For example, the cap in London was £600,000 and in the North East it was £186,100.

This means that buyers who use Deposit Unlock can borrow more and use it on higher value properties, without the regional restrictions that came with Help to Buy.

What are the restrictions?

Both schemes are/were only available to use on new build homes, and only those from builders who have registered with the scheme. As Help to Buy was a Government-backed loan, buyers did not have to think about which lenders would offer the loan, whereas Deposit Unlock is only available through participating lenders.

Jason Blunden, Managing Director at Evolve Financial Solutions, said: “This scheme is a great new opportunity for customers to buy a new build property with a five per cent deposit. The scheme is supported by some great lenders, including Nationwide, Accord and Newcastle. 

“The lenders’ standard affordability is used, so homebuyers are not adversely affected by restricted lending limits just because they are looking at buying at 95 per cent. There is a competitive range of two and five years fixed mortgage products available, and these can be used up to a maximum loan of £750,000 with Nationwide. The scheme is also available to any buyers, not just first time buyers, so home movers can use this as well.”

Find out more about the Deposit Unlock scheme.

*T&Cs apply.

Top five must-do activities on the first day in your new home

At Allison Homes, we get it—moving can be a whirlwind of stress and excitement. But once you’ve crossed the finish line and stepped through the front door of your brand-new home, it’s time to savour that moment. With all the hard work behind you, you deserve to start this new chapter on a high note. So, in celebration of National Moving Day on 19th August, we’ve put together our top five must-dos for making your first day in your new home truly unforgettable.

Find your new favourite takeaway

Pizza and moving boxes

After a long day of unpacking its unlikely that you’ll be up for cooking dinner, especially if some of the pots and pans have yet to be found. This is a great opportunity to discover your new favourite takeaway, so remember to change your address on your delivery apps and try the highly rated options near you.

 

Meet your neighbours

Couple at the front door

It’s important to get off on the right foot with the people you’ll be living next to, so make the effort to introduce yourself to your neighbours early. It could be the start of a great friendship, and they may even be able to help you with a recommendation for your takeaway.

 

Break in the bathroom

white toilet and bathroom accessories

After a day of moving boxes, nothing says “home sweet home” like taking a moment to yourself on your new throne. It’s the perfect way to unwind and officially claim your space. Just make sure you’ve unpacked the toilet paper first—because that’s one box you definitely don’t want to be searching for at the last minute.

 

Find the best place for a selfie

Man and girl taking a selfie

You’ll want to remember this day and share your updates with friends and family. Make sure you locate the best lighting and backdrop in your new home and get the perfect snaps for your moving day posts and stories!

 

Toast your success

Gay couple toast wine glasses in kitchen

Finally moving into your new home is something to celebrate, so take the time to enjoy your achievement and share it with the people close to you. This can be at your new local pub, or simply with some bubbly or nice cuppa in your new home. You’ve earnt it!

 

If you’re looking for a brand new home, discover an Allison Homes development near you and find out more about our available homes. Start your search here

Allison Homes expands marketing team with trio of new appointments

We have proudly hired three new team members, to grow our Group and East region’s marketing team and further develop the Allison Homes brand and promote our new homes in Peterborough and further afield.

Michael Hudson, Dan Bursnall and Connor Nottingham have been appointed as Group Marketing Manager, Regional Marketing Manager and Digital Marketing Executive respectively. The trio will all be based at our head office in Peterborough, with Michael and Connor working on our Group marketing and Dan covering our East region.

Michael has worked in marketing for more than a decade and in 2022 made the move to housebuilding, spending time at Avant Homes. Dan has been in the property sector for 13 years and began his career in sales, and Connor joins Allison Homes with five years of experience from working in digital marketing agencies.

Michael, now living in Chesterfield, said: “I joined Allison Homes as I wanted the opportunity to work for a trusted housebuilder at an exciting time of growth and development. I’m thrilled to be in a business that has a genuine culture of friendliness and offers support for its all employees.”

Dan, from Cambridgeshire, added: “I was looking to build my career with an organisation where I could make a difference. Being local, I knew a lot about what Allison Homes was doing in the area and was blown away by the quality of homes and passion of the staff. When this role came up, I applied immediately and was thrilled to secure the position.”

Connor, from Peterborough and now living in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, said: “I wanted to join a company where I could fully commit myself, and work with a team that truly believes in its goals and cares about its customers. Having heard great things about Allison Homes, I knew I had to apply.”

Michael’s role as Group Marketing Manager includes making strategic brand decisions, analysing data and creating attention-grabbing campaigns.

Michael said: “There’s no such thing as a typical day and that’s why I love working in marketing. From HR and sales, to technical and commercial, getting to know people in different walks of life makes my job fun and varied, and helps me to create marketing materials and brand documents that are more effective.

“I’m looking forward to supporting Allison Homes through its exciting growth plans. As we grow into more sites and regions of the UK, I’m keen to ensure our brand stays consistent and that the incredible work we do achieves high levels of success.”

In his role as Regional Marketing Manager, Dan covers the marketing for upcoming and active developments and campaigns in the East region, as well as assists with our Partnerships division.

Dan said: “The needs of the developments drive the priorities, so I could be working on a brochure for an exciting upcoming site, creating a new campaign to promote a particular home, or out on site looking at signage opportunities.

“Everyone at Allison Homes has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and it is a genuine pleasure to be part of this outstanding team. Property marketing is my passion, and I am excited to establish myself at Allison Homes and make a meaningful contribution to the company’s success.”

As part of our Group’s marketing team, Connor works on overarching strategies and projects, collaborates with partners and agencies, and works closely with individual regions.

Connor commented: “I’ve really enjoyed connecting with the amazing Allison Homes team and diving head-first into our marketing efforts. I often visit our developments to meet with the sales team and gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and successes, so we can provide more effective marketing support.

“Marketing is a passion of mine and working in the property sector, an area I’ve always wanted to grow in, is an amazing opportunity. I aim to become a core part of the team at Allison Homes, supporting the growth of the wider organisation.”

Julia Brass, Head of Group Marketing at Allison Homes, said: “Michael, Dan and Connor have already proven to be invaluable assets, hitting the ground running with their enthusiasm and passion for marketing. Their diverse knowledge and experiences will be instrumental in helping us drive forward our ambitious growth plans and we can’t wait to see what they can achieve.”

To find out more about starting a career with us, go to https://allison-homes.co.uk/careers/.

Allison Homes to bring 60 new homes to Anstey as part of East Midlands expansion

Our East Midlands region has acquired a site in the village of Anstey, Leicestershire, that is set to make way for 60 new homes.

Allison Homes East Midlands is a newly established region for the developer, based in Castle Donington and operating across the East Midlands patch.

The development in Anstey will be situated on Gynsill Lane and span approximately five acres. A total of 60 attractive, high specification two, three, four and five bedroom homes will be provided from our brand-new housing range, 18 of which will be affordable homes available through Rent and Shared Ownership.

Our East Midlands team will also be enhancing the environment and encouraging nature to thrive by retaining all water features on the site, providing an additional wet attenuation basin and planting wildflower seeds to increase the development’s biodiversity.

Subject to planning consent, construction work is due to commence on the site in early spring 2025 and it is expected that the development will be complete in late 2026. This will be one our first developments in the region and comes just one month after we secured land in Shepshed.

Alongside building new homes, we will be supporting the local community by providing financial contributions to local allotments, outdoor sports facilities, Anstey Library, primary and secondary schools in the area and healthcare services in Glenfield and Anstey, as well as to enhance local bus stops and off-site open space and parks, as part of the agreed S106 obligations for the development.

Karl Edwards, Operations Director for Allison Homes East Midlands, said: “Securing this site in Anstey, our region’s second parcel of land, is an achievement that we are extremely proud of. The team have been working tirelessly with Mather Jamie and Clarendon Land to reach this milestone. We are now very much looking forward to introducing ourselves and our new homes to the Anstey community in 2025.

“This new development will deliver 60 high-quality homes, as well as a host of new employment and training opportunities. At Allison Homes we take our social responsibilities as a housebuilder very seriously and will be committed to supporting and being part of the local existing community. We will also be working hard to establish our presence across the wider East Midlands region over the coming months, as part of our exciting growth plans.”

For any future land opportunities or enquiries for Allison Homes East Midlands, please email the team on eastmidsland@allison-homes.com.

Allison Homes East shares top reasons to live in Needham Market

We at Allison Homes East are sharing our top five reasons why property seekers should make the move to our brand-new Venus Fields development in Needham Market.

Needham Market Houses For Sale

Nestled in the Suffolk countryside on Stowmarket Road, Venus Fields is a stunning collection of one, two, three and four bedroom houses and two and three bedroom bungalows, which are perfect for first time buyers, growing families and downsizers alike.

Kelly Toms, Sales and Marketing Director at Allison Homes East, said: “Our main priority at Allison Homes East is offering an unparalleled living experience in perfect locations like Needham Market. From selecting the area to the actual property designs, we’ve focused on creating homes in Suffolk that our residents will love. When it came time to select a location for our Venus Fields development, we knew that Needham Market met our high criteria, and here are just some of the reasons why.”

Enjoy life in a historic town  

Needham Market is a quaint town surrounded by Suffolk countryside, with a picturesque high street which attracts visitors from across the region. The town is also steeped in history with the Limes Hotel, which dates to 1500 and is still a working hotel today, and the 15th Century church of John the Baptist.

High quality homes

We are bringing a range of one, two, three and four bedroom homes to Needham Market that are ideal for first time buyers, second steppers and growing families. The homes are built in a variety of traditional styles and designed to last generations, highlighting our commitment to building homes that people can be proud to own.

Plenty of local amenities

In addition to being able to enjoy all that nearby Needham Market has to offer, residents of Venus Fields are well served by amenities right on their doorstep. Within the town is a local football club, pharmacy, independent businesses, a charming micropub, a variety of cafés and a Co-op food store.

Convenient transport links

Commuters are well catered to at Venus Fields as the A14 and A140 are easily reachable, providing access to Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. There is also Needham Market Railway Station, allowing commuters to reach London Liverpool Street in 90 minutes.

Parks and natural beauty nearby

Venus Fields is surrounded by green open spaces and natural beauty. Needham Lake and Nature Reserve offers wetland areas, meadows and woodlands where there are many different bird and insect species. This is a popular spot with dog walkers, cyclists and anglers.
Residents can also take in scenery at Dedham Vale, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just 20 miles from the town.

To find out more about Venus Fields, visit https://allison-homes.co.uk/development/venus-fields/ or call the sales team on 01473 372775.

Allison Homes removes the hurdles to home ownership with Part Exchange

The Olympic season has officially started, and while the games are all about overcoming great obstacles and challenges, we don’t think buying a home should be, which is why we’re removing the hurdles to home ownership with our Part Exchange scheme.

Instead of a marathon of challenges, Part Exchange means that buyers can secure their brand-new Allison home in just three easy steps. First, buyers choose their perfect home. Then we arrange for a minimum of two independent valuations of the existing property and agree a purchase price with the buyer to make a formal offer. Finally, once accepted, we will instruct our solicitors to proceed with the sale as normal and the buyer can move into their new home*.

The scheme is designed to remove as many hurdles as possible and guarantee a straightforward buying and moving process, by taking all the work out of the hands of the buyer and offering peace of mind.

Guaranteed Buyer

Our Part Exchange scheme guarantees a buyer for the existing home, meaning there is no need to schedule endless house viewings, and no hold up from chains.

100% Market Value

The two independent valuations we provide means that the offer we make accurately reflects the value of the existing property.

No estate agent fees

As we cover all the marketing of the home, there is no need to pay estate agents, meaning those that use the scheme can save thousands on fees.

No value barriers

Our Part Exchange scheme allows buyers to exchange for the same value home with no minimum differential requirements.

Stress free moving

Buyers can stay in their current home until the new one is ready and can move in regardless of if the existing home has sold.

To find out more about Allison Homes’ Part Exchange scheme.

To find out more about our available homes. *T&Cs apply.

Allison Homes apprentices inspire Stamford pupils at school activity day

Helping to inspire the next generation of housebuilders, two Allison Homes apprentices took part in St Gilbert’s Primary School’s activity day, giving a hands-on demonstration of how new homes are built.

Organised by Stamford College, which is part of the Inspire Education Group, the activity day provided children with a range of fun and educational activities, hosted in collaboration with local organisations and businesses.

Brandon Goring and Sam Longworth are part of the team working on Mays Place, the Allison Partnerships and Longhurst Group development in Bourne. Both are in their second year of study at Stamford College and happily volunteered their time to be part of the activity day, passing on their knowledge and enthusiasm for construction.

Brandon and Sam showed the children how bricks are laid, explained the steps of building a brand-new home, and gave the children the opportunity to lay their own bricks and build their own mini wall.

As part of the day’s activities, pupils of St Gilbert’s Primary School were also able to sit inside a police car, lorry and mini digger, make model rockets with the RAF, and learn about solar power by using the sun to power a pump to fill balloons.

Andy Richards, Construction Director at Allison Homes East, said: “We pride ourselves at Allison Homes in going the extra mile to support the communities we build it, so we were thrilled to see Brandon and Sam attend the activity day at St Gilbert’s Primary School and share their skills with the pupils”.

“It was a real delight to see the children so curious and excited about construction, and we look forward to future opportunities where we can share our passion for housebuilding and inspire the next generation.”

The Mays Place development is being built by Allison Partnerships for Longhurst Group. The development will consist of a total of 121 homes, available via Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy. To find out more, visit https://allison-homes.co.uk/partnerships/ or https://www.longhurst-group.org.uk/mays-place.

Mortgage Rates Available Below 4% with New Nationwide Deal: What This Means for Homebuyers

In a significant shift for the mortgage market, Nationwide Building Society has just unveiled a new five-year fixed rate mortgage deal at 3.99%. Marking the first time rates have dipped below 4% since mid-February.

Over the past fortnight, we’ve seen a flurry of activity from big names in the banking sector, including Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, NatWest, Santander, and Virgin Money. These lenders have all made cuts to their mortgage rates, driven by a combination of a quiet market and optimistic expectations of future interest rate reductions.

A recent adjustment sees a reduction of up to 0.25 percentage points across its fixed-rate deals. This substantial decrease has pushed the best five-year fixed rate down from 4.64% to 3.99%, which could mean a saving of £73 a month on a £200,000 mortgage over 25 years.

Banks have been steadily reducing their rates for some time, and as a result of these ongoing adjustments, rates are now providing much better value for money. This drop in rates is particularly timely for homeowners transitioning from historically low rates of around 1% over the past 14 years, offering some relief from the repayment shocks associated with more expensive deals.

For those remortgaging, rates have also been cut, though these are somewhat higher, with the cheapest option now standing at 4.27%. Lenders continue to encourage activity in the property market by offering lower purchase rates, which helps ease the financial strain for many homeowners dealing with increased repayments.

In addition to lowering fixed rates, some variable rate tracker deals have seen a margin increase of up to 0.15 percentage points. This adjustment indicates an expectation of a potential cut in the Bank of England base rate, currently at 5.25%. The Bank’s next decision on this rate, due on August 1st, could potentially reduce it from its 15-year high.

The landscape for mortgages has been dynamic over the past few months. January saw a drop in rates driven by positive inflation data and expectations of an imminent Bank rate cut. However, persistent high services inflation led to a resurgence in mortgage rates, approaching 5%. With CPI inflation now at the Bank’s target of 2%, but services inflation still high at 5.7%, the outlook remains uncertain.

The higher rates have led to a slowdown in the property market, with mortgage approvals dropping from 61,086 in March to 59,991 in May, according to the Bank of England. This trend underscores the impact of mortgage rate fluctuations on housing demand.

The recent drop in fixed mortgage rates to below 4% is a welcome development for homebuyers and those considering remortgaging. As the market continues to evolve, keeping an eye on these changes and understanding their implications can help you make informed decisions about your property investments.

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