The New Rural Tribes

In this ever changing economic landscape post the EU Referendum, one recent housing report has caught our eye that provides some interesting research into the current property market in Scotland and the UK as a whole.

Strutt and Parker’s ‘Housing Futures III’ report continues their programme of identifying emerging trends that will change the face of the UK residential sector.

In their latest publication, Strutt and Parker focus on ‘The Village Revival’ with an increase in house buyers seeking out “amenity rich environments within a village setting”. They have identified five new demographic groups or ‘tribes’ that they say are responsible for this revival:

• ‘Rubies’, new families keen to raise their children in a village community; 
• ‘Elderflowers’, healthy and active retirees with assets;  
• ‘Downtowns’, an influential family living in the grandest house in the village; 
• ‘Onesies’, single person households, growing year on year in the UK; 
• ‘Rusticarians’, entrepreneurs and creative types whose dynamism can significantly contribute to the village economy.

In addition, out of the Scottish respondents in Strutt and Parker’s survey, 33% wanted to purchase property in a rural or village setting, while 23% preferred to buy in the city.

At first sight the findings of this research may seem to be as a result of high property prices in urban settings pushing buyers towards more reasonably priced rural locations. But there is more to this trend than meets the eye.

The report indicates that the 21^st century village is evolving rapidly. As rural areas become more connected and their infrastructure grows, there is increased scope for changing where we live and how we work and a noticeable shift away from city living. Greater access to broadband and mobile connectivity coupled with remote working practices and online shopping is attracting a new type of house buyer. Most of the respondents in the survey were looking for a detached property within walking distance of shops, amenities and transport links. They were interested in space, from their neighbours and within their property, in increased neighbourhood safety and community spirit.  These factors are driving this revival, and it’s something we at Richmond Homes can see reflected in our customer choice.

Identifying beautiful rural settings with excellent accessibility and local amenities is the cornerstone of our business. Our rural developments are situated close to thriving village communities that have much to offer in terms of quality of life and community involvement – from practical amenities like schools, health centres and shops, leisure pursuits and outdoor recreation, to a choice of nearby road, rail, bus and airport links.

When it comes to the design and lay-out of our homes, we understand that many of our customers may want the flexibility and space to allow them to work at home as well as cater for a growing family’s changing needs. Others may be looking for a more relaxed country lifestyle reflected in the spacious open plan lay-out of our homes, thoughtfully designed to complement their surroundings and make the very most of the space available.

Richmond Homes are currently offering two rural developments that tick all the boxes for this “Village revival” – more information on our Chesterhill Development at Edgehead in Midlothian and Kirkhill near East Calder can be found at our website.

Kirkhill, East Calder

Chesterhill, Edgehead, Midlothian

Additional information on Strutt and Parker’s ‘Housing Futures’ reports can be found here.

Elbow grease and expertise - Richmond Homes gives CHAS fundraising office a facelift

Last month we received a DIY SOS from the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland’s fundraising office in Kinross. Their front garden and office entrance was on its last legs and needed one big makeover.

Never one to turn down a challenge, Bill Bonnar, our Construction Manager, surveyed the damage and set a four-day target to get the job done, organizing machinery and enlisting an army of skilled labour made up of Richmond Homes colleagues and local business associates.

With news of blizzards and artic conditions on the way, the undeterred construction team got cracking. Everyone had a clear role - we were in charge of coordinating and supplying the labour and machinery to create the new garden, front fence and rebuilding of the wall at the entrance of the building to give wider access. Bill approached Purvis Plant Hire at Lochgelly to supply the machinery for the work, to which they kindly agreed and Realm Construction, who are part of the Purvis Group, provided the manpower to create the mono-block design of the project. Fife based Beatsons Building Supplies, long-term supporters of CHAS, provided the stylish design and the materials along with Long Rake Spar, Kilsarn Paving, Pattersons of Greenoakhill Limited and Hanson Cement. Scotwaste supplied a skip for removal spoil that had to go off site, and Scotloo loaned a very handy and much needed portable toilet. Finally, Bill also contacted Scott and Simpson Painters in Glenrothes to re-paint the front of the building.

Richmond Homes first got on board with CHAS back in 2012 when we visited their hospice, Rachel House at Kinross. It’s a truly inspiring place and a vital resource for children and teenagers with life-shortening illnesses and their families who need much care and support. Children’s Hospice Association Scotland is the only charity in Scotland that provides hospice services for children and young people with these conditions. Their office on the High Street in Kinross does much valuable work to raise funds for the charity to support over 300 families across their two hospices at Kinross and Balloch, as well as their homecare service.

A whole lot of elbow grease and expertise later, Bill and the team hit their target of completing the job in four days. The end result is one happy fundraising office with a streamlined, tidy and professional looking front garden entrance. It’s now much easier to get into their office with offers of funds and support for their very important work – what’s stopping you?