But their new semi-detached property at our Poppy Fields development ticks every box for them and their ‘miracle’ 10-year-old son Cooper.
“After about six or seven houses, I think this might finally be our forever home,” said Adam.
The family was one of the first to move onto the development and they’re enjoying watching it grow.
“There aren’t many kids who can watch the home they’re going to live in for some time being built, but Cooper has,” said Adam, 39, a railway manager.
“We came every week and he took photos and created a file on his phone to chart its progress. Now we’re in and watching the development grow is part of the journey; it’s exciting.”
The family moved into Poppy Fields at the beginning of December 2023, seeking more space for their growing boy.
“You think you’ll need less space as kids get older but, as we discovered, they want friends to come and stay over, and you need more,” said Adam.
“We could have extended the house we were living in in Bramley down the road, but it still wouldn’t have ticked every box and we’d have looked to move in about five years. So, we thought why not do it now.”
The couple had been living in an older three-bed semi which had already been extended and for which they had big plans as they looked ahead to children. “We were then told we couldn’t have kids,” said Adam.
“Happily, Cooper came along after fertility treatment but we knew there wouldn’t be any more, so we decided there was no point staying there. In 2017 we opted to go mortgage free and downsize to a two-up, two-down, and just enjoy what we had.”
But while Adam and Gemma, 38, a railway conductor, thought their home would be big enough for their little family, they began to outgrow it.
“We could have extended that, but it still wouldn’t have given us everything we wanted, like our own driveway, and a downstairs loo… and now we have both of those and we’re closer to the high school we want Cooper to go to!”
Adam and Gemma looked at other developments in the area but were bowled over by the quality and design of our homes.
“It stood out, along with the high ceilings and deep skirting boards; the houses have so much character unlike others we saw that were plain and boring,” said Adam.
And they were impressed by the development itself which will eventually have a community orchard, as well as its own green space and play area.
“We can see Cooper coming home from school and playing there. You can start to imagine the future,” he added.
The couple opted for a three-bedroom semi-detached Bakewell property which has an open plan lounge, and kitchen and dining room, as well as a cloakroom downstairs. Upstairs are three bedrooms, the main with en-suite, and a separate family bathroom.
“I liked the open plan layout, years ago I trained as a chef and I do a lot of cooking, and it means when we have people round I’ll still be part of everything and not stuck away in the kitchen. It’s a lovely, big bright space too,” said Adam.
“Me and Gemma have the main bedroom and it’s huge, with lots of space even with a king size bed and bedside cabinets and fitted wardrobes that we chose as extras from Redrow’s online tool. Cooper has the second bedroom – from which he’ll be able to see the park – and the third we’ve set up as a laundry room complete with ironing board and a TV on the wall to watch while doing the ironing!”
Wardrobes weren’t the only extras and upgrades the Dodsons chose. Spotlights throughout, Amtico flooring and carpeting, a wireless heating thermostat and upgraded kitchen units and worktops were also selected.
“It meant that everything was done before we moved in" said Adam.
“We have done up homes before and we could have done up and extended the last one we were in, but it would have cost a lot and still wouldn’t have been what we wanted. With this, it’s a brand-new home and we know we don’t need to worry about the wiring or the boiler – our old one was 22 years old and we knew once that went, that would be it - we have the assurance of the NHBC guarantee and the comfort of it being so energy efficient. We have the thermostat set at 16 degrees – and it’s never kicked in yet, even in winter.”
The happy homeowners used our Help to Sell scheme through which us and our estate agent partners do a lot of the work to market and sell a would-be buyers’ current property. We arrange to have it appraised by the estate agent partner and agree a fair valuation and marketing plan to encourage a quick sale. We even contribute to fees.
“I even used the recommended solicitor – and she was so good it’s the first time I’ve ever emailed after a sale to say thank you. It was the easiest and smoothest move ever,” he added.
Poppy Fields is set on the edge of Rotherham, close to open green spaces but also within a 13-mile drive of Sheffield, 42 miles from Leeds and 51 miles from Manchester.There’s a great range of primary schools, local amenities, shops, parks, and woodland walks nearby. It will eventually feature 240 three, four and five-bedroom homes for private sale, from our award-winning Heritage Collection with prices currently starting at £270,000.
For more details or to book an appointment to view one of the show homes visit our website or contact the sales team on
