Penrith-based house builder Gleeson welcomed the Mayor of Carlisle to the official opening of its new show homes in Longtown.
The three show homes, based at the developer’s Briar Lea Park site on Brampton Road, are Gleeson’s first show homes in Cumbria and aim to attract young first-time buyers and house movers considering purchasing a new build in the area. Briar Lea Park opened in September 2018 and will eventually consist of 100 new homes. Prices start from just £97,995 for a two-bedroom semi-detached Cork home.
The Mayor, Councillor Marilyn Bowman, and her Consort Mr. Bowman, were accompanied by Andrew Patmore, Gleeson Operations Director, and Adrian Hilton, Sales Manager, as they toured the new show homes and urged Gleeson to continue building affordable homes in the area. The Mayor commented, “My husband and I bought our first home in 1970 and we were incredibly proud to take that step onto the property ladder. I am pleased to see that Gleeson are committed to building affordable homes and allowing local people that same opportunity”.
The Mayor was joined by Longtown Primary School pupil Jessica Rawson, 6, who won Gleeson’s Design A Bedroom competition last Autumn. Utilising old shoe boxes, Gleeson encouraged students to create their dream bedrooms. Jessica’s pink unicorn-themed bedroom was selected the winner and her creation has been painstakingly replicated by Gleeson’s interior design team in one of the show home’s bedrooms.
Jessica’s mother, Sarah Rawson, said of the competition, “After her bedroom was revealed by the Gleeson team, Jessica was absolutely awestruck. She couldn’t quite believe that her little shoebox design was now a real-life bedroom. She’s now pestering me for her own unicorn bedroom!”
In a speech to the Mayor and other invitees, Mr Patmore said, “Briar Lea Park is proving very popular with local people due to its affordable prices, resulting in mortgage repayments often cheaper that local rent levels. We also offer a range of schemes to help people get on to the property ladder, including the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme. Our houses truly are ‘homes’ and each includes a driveway and front and rear gardens. Briar Lea Park is also in a perfect location, close to many amenities, but within easy reach of the M6, A7 and the new Carlisle Lake District Airport”.
Recently voted the most sustainable company in the UK due to its use of environmentally friendly materials, such as gravel on driveways, Gleeson also implements its Community Matters programme on all its developments throughout the North of England, dedicating itself to making a difference in the community. The company aims to provide job opportunities for local people and subcontractors as well as offering apprenticeship schemes and providing sponsorship for local junior sports teams.
Gleeson’s Sales Office at Briar Lea Park is open Thursday to Monday from 10am until 5pm.
For further information on the development or the Community Matters Programme, please visit www.gleeson-homes.co.uk
