Building homes and futures in Doncaster

Darryl Barker, Managing Director of Doncaster based homebuilder Albemarle Homes has experienced first hand the demand in the sector.

"We experienced a significant increase in interest in our sites, both during and post lockdown. This seems to have been repeated across the housing market in Doncaster. It seems that whilst in lockdown, people have made the decision that now is the time to make a move in the market.”

The company was established in 2013, with the first development at Handley Court, Finningley starting in 2014.

Since 2014 the firm that focuses on bringing affordable luxury homes to the community of Doncaster and surrounding areas, has built 120 homes in the borough.

Despite an upturn in the property market the pandemic has not been without its drawbacks for Albemarle Homes.

Mr Barker said: “The pandemic has thrown up a number of challenges.

"The supply of materials has been affected with stocks running low of numerous products because of a lag in manufacturing.

"We have also seen the period between reservation and exchange of contracts/completion extended, which is mainly down to solicitors working from home and local searches taking longer than pre pandemic.

"We have also seen and dealt with a marked increase in enquiries, which is great as there is clearly a demand for quality housing in Doncaster.”

Despite the current post lockdown mini housing boom experts predict it is unlikely to continue for any length of time, due to increasing job losses and other economic downturns.

However Mr Barker says the future looks bright in Doncaster due the town’s competitively priced homes.

He added: “In the last year Doncaster has seen the average price of a house rise over 7 per cent, meaning the average price for a property in the town now stands at £160,043.

"With the national average price over £320,000 this still makes Doncaster a hugely competitive place to buy a home. And that is why I believe the housing market in Doncaster will continuing to prosper, albeit at a steady rate.

"I also firmly believe that the continuation of Help To Buy for first time buyers, the historically low interest rates and the demand in the town will help to keep the Doncaster housing market buoyant.”

The firm is now hoping any future lockdown restrictions will not impact their business.

“I am concerned. Hopefully any lockdown measures will allow the construction industry to remain open, as was the case between March and May earlier in the year.

"However, as mentioned previously, any further lockdown will affect the supply of materials and which could result in build rates slowing due to the lack of materials.”

The firm is currently working on a number of projects across the borough.

"Currently we have Priory Paddock, an exclusive development of 10 luxury homes in Blyth. All 10 homes are large 4 bedroom detached properties designed to emphasis modern day living with large kitchen dining areas and a separate office/study for working from home, they also come with a Webasto electric car charger as standard meaning that they are ready for safe and efficient car charging when the country or homeowners choose electric. Three homes currently remain for sale here priced from £290,950.

"We also have a development of 96 homes in Kirk Sandall, Grove Farm, which boasts 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes situated in an idyllic canal side location surrounding the Grade II listed St. Oswald’s Church. The development is now complete and all properties are reserved.

"We are now in the groundworks process of our new development in Armthorpe, Westmoor Grange, which will be a new community of 400 homes. The initial phase of 120 properties available from January 2021 will comprise 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes priced from £149,950.”

Mr Barker says the quality of the builds is what sets the firm apart from others.

“ Our superior specification is what sets us apart from other housebuilders and something that we are extremely proud of. We also have a range of measure to support housebuyers including the Government initiative Help To Buy and also a Key Worker discount.

“Also, four of our team have purchased and are now living in an Albemarle home, which I think is a huge testament to the quality of build and specification that our homes offer!”

albemarlehomes.co.uk