Homelands Park to offer permanent homes

A 50-year-old family business near Bridgnorth is defying the property crash with a new development of low-cost homes designed with nature-lovers in mind.

Homelands Park, in the village of Chorley, has been given the green light by local planners to change from a holiday park to one on which people may live permanently.

From around £130,000, couples aged 50-plus can own a modern purpose-built home in a peaceful parkland setting with its own woodland, fishing pond and allotments.

Prices for similar-size cottages in the area currently sell for twice or more than that figure.

Business owner Bryan Home and his sisters, Shirley and Julie, took the decision last year to change the nature of the holiday park started by their father Jack and uncle Ron half a century ago.

"Many of the owners of our holiday caravans told us how they would love to live here when they retire, but that isn't possible on a holiday park," said Bryan.

Gamble

"So we decided to take a gamble and apply to the council for a residential park licence, and to replace the holiday units with the latest park home models which look like modern bungalows.

"The first buyer was, in fact, a former holiday caravan owner and now we have decided to continue the development and to site around 25 park homes in the grounds."

This weekend, June 26 and 27, would-be buyers will have the chance to inspect a showhome when the park holds two open days, from 10am-4pm.

The family hopes that couples will be impressed not just with the properties themselves, which come fully equipped and furnished, but also with the natural surroundings of Homelands Park.

The 16-acre grounds are home to an abundance of wildlife including red deer, foxes, badgers and a host of different bird species plus a range of aquatic life, including dragonflies, on the pond.

Although the homes have their own private gardens, Byran has also put aside an area for allotments on which residents can be partially self-sufficient by growing their own vegetables.

"Many people dream of retiring to an area like this, but even with the recent fall in property values, bricks-and-mortar prices are still beyond the reach of most older couples," said Bryan.

"What we are offering is a semi-sheltered environment where residents will be living among people of a similar age and background and which is, above all, affordable."

Details about the open weekend can be obtained by calling the park on 01746 768771.