New build homes in the East Midlands: Top 10 best developments

The Wullcomb in the East Midlands

While the north and south of England have plenty to recommend them, what makes the middle of the country appealing to both buyers and renters? Accessible, prosperous yet affordable, let’s see why this part of England has such a dynamic property market, by looking at some of the best new homes in the East Midlands.

New homes in the East Midlands: Top 10 best developments

From gleaming inner-city towers, to quiet rural suburbia retreats, let’s look at some of the best new homes in the East Midlands. As always, these rankings are determined entirely by the reviews given by the people who actually live there. This gives you the insiders’ guide to the best developments on HomeViews.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

1. The Wullcomb, LE1

Way of Life
4.72 (231 reviews) 4.72 (231 reviews)
Area guide to Leicester
Image of The Wullcomb, LE1

The top-rated development in the East Midlands is The Wullcomb. This Build to Rent development is managed by Way of Life and located in the heart of Leicester. The building offers 297 apartments with a mix of spacious Manhattan studios alongside one and two-bedroom apartments. Residents have the option of choosing a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Additionally, there is a wide range of facilities and amenities on site. These include 24h concierge, secure car park and cycle storage, a rooftop terrace, a shared kitchen and dining space with modern lounge and a private theatre room.

Read reviews and details of The Wullcomb, LE1

2. Lloyds Living at Kenning Brook, S45

Lloyds Living
4.55 (17 reviews) 4.55 (17 reviews)
Area guide to Derbyshire
Image of Lloyds Living at Kenning Brook, S45

In second place, Kenning Brook is a brand new development featuring a collection of three and four-bedroom homes. The homes at Kenning Brook have been designed to a high standard and benefit from a ‘fully inclusive’ specification. Homes at Kenning Brook benefit from a new community, bringing with it an array of local amenities such as shopping, leisure facilities and an abundance of green spaces. As well as a variety of local facilities, Sheffield, Mansfield and Nottingham are all within easy reach. Additionally, Kenning Brook is just four miles from the M1 or six miles from Chesterfield Rail Station.

Read reviews and details of Lloyds Living at Kenning Brook, S45

3. Saffron Court, NG2

Cording Residential
4.45 (47 reviews) 4.45 (47 reviews)
Area guide to Nottinghamshire
Image of Saffron Court, NG2

Third-placed Saffron Court, managed by Cording Residential, comprises a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Located in Nottingham, residents here have access to car parking, a concierge, housekeeping, fitness center, co-working spaces and bicycle storage.

Read reviews and details of Saffron Court, NG2

4. Merlin Wharf, LE3

Cording Residential
4.23 (96 reviews) 4.23 (96 reviews)
Area guide to Leicester
Image of Merlin Wharf, LE3

In fourth it’s Merlin Wharf, managed by Cording Residential. Located in Leicester city centre along the River Soar, residents here benefit from a 24-hour concierge, river views, co-working spaces, gym, residents’ lounge and cycle storage.

Read reviews and details of Merlin Wharf, LE3

5. Stephenson Grange, S42

Lovell Homes
3.70 (20 reviews) 3.70 (20 reviews)
Area guide to Derbyshire
Image of Stephenson Grange, S42

Lovell Homes’ Stephenson Grange sits in fourth place, hosting a collection of two, three and four-bedroom homes in Holmewood, Chesterfield. As well as having good rail connections, the village is only a short drive away from the Derbyshire Peak District.

Read reviews and details of Stephenson Grange, S42

6. Prince’s Place, NG12

William Davis
4.69 (11 reviews) 4.69 (11 reviews)
Area guide to Nottinghamshire
Image of Prince’s Place, NG12

Taking sixth place is Prince’s Place, a new development by William Davis on the edge of Radcliffe-on-Trent, a 25 minute drive from Nottingham city centre and a short walk from the River Trent.

Read reviews and details of Prince’s Place, NG12

7. Grange View, LE67

Davidsons Homes
4.08 (66 reviews) 4.08 (66 reviews)
Area guide to Leicestershire
Image of Grange View, LE67

Seventh-placed Grange View by Davidson’s Homes offers a variety of two, three and four-bedroom homes. Located near Coalville and the banks of the River Sense, Grange View offers rural living but with access to local amenitie

Read reviews and details of Grange View, LE67

8. Ashby Gardens, LE65

Davidsons Homes
4.49 (27 reviews) 4.49 (27 reviews)
Area guide to Derbyshire
Image of Ashby Gardens, LE65

In eighth place is Ashby Gardens, also by Davidson’s Homes. The collection of three, four and five-bedroom homes is situated in the market town of Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire. It is well placed for commuters, with good access to local towns and cities such as Derby, Birmingham and Leicester.

Read reviews and details of Ashby Gardens, LE65

9. Rothley Meadow, LE7

William Davis
4.47 (19 reviews) 4.47 (19 reviews)
Area guide to Leicestershire
Image of Rothley Meadow, LE7
Rothley Meadow is a new development by William Davis, situated at the edge of Rothley village and close to the river Soar. Read reviews and details of Rothley Meadow, LE7

10. Lock 44, LE4

Newtown Living
4.49 (10 reviews) 4.49 (10 reviews)
Area guide to Leicester
Our carefully crafted homes offer bright, open plan living with beautiful views and large outdoor spaces with everything on your doorstep. Sandwiched between the city’s two main waterways, the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal, Lock 44 is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. The canal side footpath follows a scenic route […] Read reviews and details of Lock 44, LE4

Read more

Where are the East Midlands?

As the name suggests, the East Midlands make up the middle of England, stretching out to the east. Sitting right in the centre are the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Northamptonshire is to the south, and easterly part of the East Midlands covers almost all of Lincolnshire, except the north and north east areas of the county.

Why live in the East Midlands?

One of the biggest attractions of the East Midlands is the region’s economic prosperity. It’s a major logistical hub, with hundreds of major companies based across its various counties. Not only does this provide good job prospects, it also makes the region very accessible, with solid transport links.

There are also plenty of big cities to choose from, many of them rich in history, such as Lincoln and Northampton. As well as the convenience of city living, the East Midlands counties have no shortage of attractive towns and villages that make the most of the rural beauty on offer. The Peak District, which is mostly in Derbyshire, is perhaps the most stunning example of this.

Also, your money goes further in the East Midlands than the South East or South West of England. Particularly when it comes to buying property.

What are property prices in East Midlands like?

Property prices in the East Midlands remain steady at the time of writing (April 2024), with a slight upward trajectory since 2021 (4%). Rightmove has the current average property price as being a little over £264,000. Several major reports point towards the East Midlands outpacing other UK regions on house price growth in the coming years. So if you plan to buy here, factor this trend into your calculations.

A recent report from PwC shows that when it comes to renting, the East Midlands are a more affordable prospect than other parts of the country. Young renters here – agreed between 22-29 – spend around 25% of their monthly earnings on rent. This is a full 5% below the 30% threshold that is generally considered affordable.


If you want to know more about the East Midlands, our dedicated guide can help. Here you’ll find more information on the region’s geography, and plenty more developments to explore at your leisure.

East Midlands

East Midlands
Easy access to London and the national motorway network ensures the economic prosperity of the East Midlands, UK. A dedicated airport also serves to connect this central region to Europe and the world, with key cities Leicester and Nottingham also providing financial stimulus and Read more about East Midlands

What is HomeViews?

HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.

written by

Jan Moys

A residential property expert with over 15 years’ experience creating content... Read all

A residential property expert with ov... Read all