Great Western Park Didcot - to buy or not to buy?

LGot

I'm considering buying a Taylor Wimpey house on the Great Western Park Development in Didcot. I wonder if anyone has any previous experience of this development and what it's like? I'm also a little concerned about the large proportion of 'housing association' properties on the development (both rented and shared ownership). I'm trying hard not to be a snob but the large amount of negative comments on the internet is making me think again. Does anyone have any advice regarding this? Thanks!

MrsFingersCrossed

I don't know the estate personally but I am reasonably local (south Oxfordshire) and some of my sons friends have bought in Didcot in recent years mainly I think because it is more reasonably priced than practically anywhere else nearby. But I think Didcot will prove to be a good investment, because of its proximity to Oxford, Wallingford and Reading. Also, and this is just my gut instinct, now they are demolishing the enormous power station chimneys (one down, one to go? - not sure exactly) I think property in Didcot will increase in value so prove to be a good investment in the medium - long term.


Re the rented / ownership question, I would say that as it's almost impossible for young people to get on the housing ladder round these parts I'm glad there are some nice, hopefully reasonably-priced homes available for all those people who aren't in a position to buy.

SCOYA

I've been looking around the area for a while and I personally find Didcot itself a little soul-less TBH albeit there are great house prices and nice looking houses on the developments there, however on speaking with EA's they have all said that the Great Western Park development is proving difficult to sell due to the high number of social housing.

Thrugelmir

Private owners don't necessarily make better neighbours.

MoneyMate

check the areas out by crime listed from police information
http://www.crime-statistics.co.uk/postcode
Hope this answers some of your questions ? :beer:

lindap0

Hi


I am interested to know if you bought and what your experience of living there is like. Has anyone else reading this bought a house on a mixed private/social housing development? We are considering buying one in Thame, again on a Taylor Wimpey development, but are wondering of the possible implications of having a high proportion of social housing properties on the development.

LittleMax

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Private owners don't necessarily make better neighbours.

True, but I can take you a walk around any modern mixed estate and 9 times out of 10 can identify the rented houses just by looking at the state of the gardens and curtains. People who rent - private renting and HA renting generally do not look after their properties in the same way as owner occupiers.

Personally I would not have a problem with some shared ownership, but would steer clear of HA rented, and also any properties that would appeal to buy to let landlords.

knoman

Hi

I'm thinking to buy a house in great western park Bellway house or Taylor wimpey, can you please share your experience if u have bought house

thanks in advance

henmuffin

I have a friend who bought on GWP and loves it. Not sure about the social housing bit but she did check the plans to make sure she had private housing around her.
Thame is a lovely town. I work there and rate it highly. Is it Thame Park you are thinking of buying?

ethank

Social housing is generally up to 30% of the development - and could include affordable rent, market rent, low cost ownership and shared ownership - on our development it is mainly shared ownership. Look for the planning permission documents for the development on the local council website - it will tell you the tenure mix and also the location of all of the social housing properties.