CASE STUDY – MARY AND KEITH WOODWARD

Downsizers Mary and Keith Woodward have ticked moving to a brand new bungalow off their bucket list and say they’ve found their forever home at St Mary’s Garden Village in Ross on Wye

The couple have moved from a three bedroom terraced property, where they’d converted the garage into a living room, to a three bedroom bungalow built by Edenstone Homes.

“When we moved into our old home in 2003 there were five of us living there because we had teenagers at the time, but they have since flown the nest and now in their 30s so we didn’t need so much space.

“It was time for us to start thinking about our forever home and while we had looked at a number of bungalows over the last couple of years, we hadn’t found anything suitable until we came here.”

Having never lived in a new build home before, Mary said it was on her bucket list.

They chose a three bedroom Bournemouth, with open plan kitchen and dining room; separate lounge and utility. One of the bedrooms has direct access out onto the garden and another has an en-suite.

“We wanted a home with all new kitchen appliances built-in, a garden and a garage as my husband is a car fanatic,” Mary explained. 

“We also wanted a view and somewhere to walk and this bungalow ticked every box.”

Mary, 59, retired from working as a psychiatric nurse four years ago. She now occasionally provides care via hospice at home and also works in a clothes shop; while Keith, 63 is a retired engineer.

They had been due to move in at the end of April but were delayed until the end of May by Coronavirus restrictions.

“We’d gone on holiday pre-lockdown and had already packed everything up thinking we would be moving when we got back. We couldn’t wait to move and so we would walk down and have a sneak peek at the bungalow.”

The Edenstone team kept in touch with the Woodwards, making sure they were ok and updating them of when the site was reopening and when they would be able to move.

“It couldn’t have been an easier move to get us in and since we have moved in everyone has been amazing. They have been helpful and supportive even though they’re under stress themselves. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the whole experience,” Mary added. 

Current availability on the Edenstone phase of St Mary’s Garden village includes two and three bedroom bungalows and four bedroom homes set out over two floors.

The wider 290-home development, being shaped by Edenstone Homes and Bluebell Homes, will eventually include a host of facilities including a community building with equipped indoor gym, community hall and kitchen. Residents will be able to enjoy an abundance of open space including play areas and a meadow; walking trail with outdoor exercise equipment; a kick about area; cycle hire facilities; allotments with raised beds.

Show homes at St Mary’s Garden Village are available to view by appointment only. For more information, including prices for homes currently on release, see edenstonehomes.com/ross-on-wye or call 07384 259091.