Oliver Barrow, a first-time buyer originally from Cornwall, was looking to join the property ladder and buy his first home when he discovered Cross Trees Park.
Since joining the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2013, Oliver has lived on military bases but decided 2024 was the year to buy a place of his own, ideally in the village of Shrivenham, Oxfordshire.
Oliver said: “For my first property, I had my eyes on Shrivenham due to the ease of my daily commute to work. Shrivenham is a quieter area than Swindon itself but close enough with only a 20-minute drive providing the best of both worlds.”
The thirty-two-year-old purchased the Holly, one of two exclusive one-bedroom housetypes at Cross Trees Park, after discussing what he was looking for with the sales team. At the top of his wish list was a base near his workplace as well as somewhere low maintenance, energy efficient and ready to move into.
Oliver’s new home is a one-bedroom, two storey property with its own private entrance, open plan kitchen, living and dining room and a second floor which features a spacious bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a modern bathroom.
Both the Holly and the Ivy, Cala’s other one-bedroom home available within the development, also offers various energy efficiency features including solar PV panels, smart heating and an EV charging point.
Oliver continued: “I looked at both one-bedroom properties when I first viewed the development however, I opted for the Holly as the design and layout suited me perfectly. I really liked the idea of a new build and the benefits which come with it. What I loved was the garden, the fact it has its own entrance, it offers open plan living plus it has a second floor.
“The main reason I gravitated to this style of home was the outside space and the fact that it only has one bedroom, it was all I needed, and there aren’t many other one-beds on the market so I felt like it was a rare opportunity. Despite having just one bedroom, there is plenty of space throughout the home.
“The size of the bedroom was also a big selling point as well as the high specification throughout which is included as standard. For example, moving in there were already integrated appliances, flooring throughout, exterior lights, turf, a shed and patio as well as external electric points. This is only a few of the extras from Cala that I really appreciated.”
For those looking for low maintenance semi-rural living, Cala currently has a range of homes available at Cross Trees Park including the duo of different one-bedroom housetypes on offer, both with their own gardens.
Oliver added: “I also like the number of windows and their placement throughout as the house enjoys ample natural light which is a real bonus. The energy efficiency features were also a unique selling point for me as I know I will benefit from this over time.
“Purchasing my home was straight forward. My first viewing was during the early stages of construction and to get the keys just months later was perfect timing, I was very impressed.
“The level of communication has been well above what I’d deem as standard. The sales team were aware of my busy work schedule and worked around this to ensure all works were complete on time and that the house was handed over to a high standard.”
Cross Trees Park is nestled in the charming village of Shrivenham offering a highly desirable quality of living surrounded by the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside. From stylish one-bedroom homes, perfect for first-time buyers and young professionals to two-, three- and four-bedroom homes for growing families or those looking for more space.
With plenty of local amenities nearby and well connected for journeys to Swindon, Oxford and Reading, this development will also suit commuters, with London Paddington reachable in just under an hour.
Prices for the one-bedroom Ivy housetype start from £239,000 and £255,000 for the Holly. To book an appointment, view both showhomes or for more information, click here.
