The only way is up in Lanark

Fri, Apr 13th 2007, 11:00

When pensioners John and Nancy Duncan were looking for a new place to call home, they had their hearts set on a bungalow - but fell in love with something a whole lot taller!

The couple, who previously lived in Newton Stewart, searched high and low their dream home, before finding what they were looking for at Redrow’s Heather Lea development in Lanark.

John says: “As my wife is originally from Lanark we came to visit family in the area from time to time. We noticed when building started at Heather Lea, and were impressed by what we saw so we popped into the development to have a look around the next time we were in town.”

After previously living in bungalows, the Duncans were looking for another one-storey home, when a sales consultant suggested looking at the Ribble view home – a four-bedroom, three storey design – to see the finish.

“We hadn’t thought about buying a three storey property at all, but decided we’d have a little look anyway. But as soon as we walked through the door we knew this was the home we’d been looking for, we told them ‘we will definitely take this house!’.” laughs John.

Both being in their early 70s, John did wonder how they’d manage with two flights of stairs, but neither has found it a problem: “We don’t even think about it, we’re what I like to call young 70s – we like to travel and go shopping, we don’t sit indoors all day long.”

The Ribble comprises a spacious lounge, kitchen, dining room and cloakroom on the ground floor. The first floor houses three-bedrooms and family bathroom, whilst the second floor accommodates the superb master bedroom with en-suite shower room.

John adds: “The house itself has everything we were looking for, it’s spacious and the ground floor is well laid out. We both have green fingers, so the garden was a plus, and Nancy just loves the kitchen.”

Having their space spread over three floors offers John and Nancy a flexible way of living that they’ve taken full advantage of: “We have our bedroom on the first floor, and use one of the spare bedrooms as a music and computer room. As we have a lot of visitors, the top floor is our ‘guest suite’ – and, having already had three people over to stay in the few weeks since we moved in,  I’d say they definitely enjoy having their own private floor!”

Another reason for choosing Heather Lea was the fact that all the homes are newly built. John says: “We didn’t want to have to waste time altering someone else’s décor, or have to deal with getting builders in. Redrow houses are brand new, clean and fresh – and the company has been very easy to work with.”

Diana Newton, sales director for Redrow (Scotland) says: “Heather Lea is a great development located right on the edge of the South Lanarkshire countryside, which is perfect for couples like John and Nancy who want a relaxing base that’s still close to transport links and amenities of the town centre. And the fact that they’ve chosen a three-storey home shows how universal this design is, it appeals to young professionals, families and retirees alike.”

Located in the beautiful lower Clyde Valley, Heather Lea in Lanark is located 27 miles from Glasgow and 34 miles from Edinburgh. Travel is painless, with the M74, M73 and M8 all nearby and regular train services from the town centre station to both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Current availability includes four-bedroom, three-storey detached houses from £208,000 and, for those who really do want to keep their living to one floor only, there are some three-bedroom bungalows from £191,000.

To find out more about making a move like John and Nancy, please visit the development, off Hyndford Road, Lanark open daily from 10am-5.30pm, call 0845 676 0509.