Linden Homes is about to embark on a major project to give Waterlooville’s beautiful St Michael’s convent a new lease of life. The former convent, a feature of Waterlooville since it was built in 1885, will be completely refurbished to produce seventeen unusual 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.
Mark Docherty, Linden Homes’ sales and marketing director says the project has all the hallmarks of being a unique development:
“A refurbishment like this one takes time and care. When you have an old Victorian building to work with, the results can be very interesting and innovative. Our job is to plan around what is there; the historic architectural form plays a positive and influential role in determining the apartment layouts. We expect that each of the refurbished homes we create here will have its own character: It is hard work – but the outcome is hugely rewarding.”
To complement the St Michael’s Place development, Linden Homes is also building a selection of new three and four bedroom homes in the grounds of St Michael’s convent. In response to the need for new housing in the area, 25 of the 82 homes will be released as affordable housing to local people while the rest will be available on the open market.
Mark Docherty says that the broad mix of homes at St Michael’s Place will provide an excellent choice:
“We are planning to create 17 refurbished apartments within the old convent building. In the grounds we will be building 24 one and two bedroom apartments; 24 three bedroom houses and 17 four bedroom houses. As building progresses, we will be landscaping the whole area, protecting The Green outside the Sacred Heart Church and the area adjacent to the Hermitage Stream. We also plan to create a new central amenity garden and plant dozens of new trees across the site.”
Work will start at the site early in 2013 and the first homes are expected to be ready for occupation in the summer. Tina Chalk, the marketing manager of Linden Homes says it is important to register your interest early:
“This is an unusual development and when landscaped, it will be beautiful. The broad selection of homes means that lots of people will be interested in coming to see what is on offer. So it would definitely be a good idea to register with Linden Homes now, so you can be kept up to date with what is happening and which homes are being released. Once you are registered, you are notified of the homes that are going to be available – you will also receive a voucher for £250 to spend on your new home. Call us on 0845 266 5276.”
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For further information, contact Claire McCowan or Tracy Mannion at Remarkable Public Relations on 01962 893 893 or Claire.mccowan@remarkablegroup.co.uk
