Oxford has now topped the list of the UK’s least affordable cities, causing many aspiring homeowners to be priced out of the prestigious area. With this in mind you may be interested in the following development – Kingsmere by Countryside, just 12 miles from the pricey city, offering a fantastic choice of affordable new homes with positive signs of growth. For further details please see the full press release below:

The average house price in Oxford has risen to £385,372, nearly 11 times the annual gross average earnings in the city, according to Lloyds Bank[1], making it the UK’s least affordable city and out of reach of many of those who want to live among the dreaming spires of this ever-popular location. However, just 12 miles from Oxford in Bicester, where the average house price paid is now £337,787[2], lies Kingsmere, representing a great opportunity to invest in a new home in a market town which is also showing encouraging price growth. The development offers a wide selection of new homes in a flourishing new community on the edge of Bicester.

Kingsmere is quickly establishing itself a modem village, with extensive community and educational facilities served by unbeatable transport connections. The development is home to a selection of house styles ideal for a range of homebuyers, provided by multiple homebuilders, including Bellway Homes, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Persimmon.

Andrew Carrington, Director, Countryside Properties (Bicester) Ltd comments: “Kingsmere is the ideal choice for those looking to get more for their money than in nearby Oxford, whilst still wanting to enjoy the ‘best of both worlds’ location. Kingsmere boasts an attractive village setting that will include on-site sports facilities, new primary and secondary schools as well as acres of parkland and play areas, all within easy reach of Oxford and surrounding towns. Residents can enjoy a strong sense of community at Kingsmere, something which is not always present in larger towns and cities.

“Despite being surrounded by acres of open space, residents are not cut-off from modern facilities and attractions. Therefore we’d recommend that homebuyers drawn to the area by Oxford’s jobs, educational heritage, cultural attractions and stunning architecture, visit Kingsmere to sample the development for themselves.”

Residents at Kingsmere will benefit from a number of planned and existing new community facilities, including new schools, a village centre, recreation and sports facilities. The new village centre planned for Kingsmere will provide residents with essential day-to-day facilities including a convenience store and local shops, as well as a place for people to meet, socialise and relax. For education, younger residents will not need to leave the secure environment of their own community, with three new schools planned on site. The first new primary school opened in January 2016, and plans for a new 600-place secondary school for 11-16 year olds are already underway. There are also other good quality schools to choose from locally.

Encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle is a central part of the vision for Kingsmere, and residents have a wide range of fitness facilities on their doorstep. The sports village will provide first class sporting amenities for the local community and the proposed secondary school. Three full size rugby pitches, three junior football pitches and a cricket pitch have already been constructed. Residents can also explore the extensive green open spaces across the development, including tranquil Pingle Brook – an informal recreational space, perfect to relax and enjoy a picnic in the company of wildlife.

Ideal for commuters, Bicester Village and Bicester North railway stations, are both located within 1 mile of the development, offering trains to Oxford in 11 minutes and London Marylebone in 46 minutes. Meanwhile road connections are also excellent with junction 9 of the M40 just three miles away. The development also benefits from its own Park & Ride facility, allowing residents to use the bus services for further travel, and is also served by three bus routes through the development, with services to both Bicester town centre and Oxford city centre.