Meon Vale, CV37 by Persimmon Homes

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Local Londis store is excellent. Meon Vale, for a new development, is well planned out with lots of open spaces. The Greenway and the local woods (recently saved from development) are a big bonus.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The front block-paved driveway was replaced after 6 years due to subsidence, but it was a struggle to get the builder to address the issue.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Inspect the quality of the plumbing and the quality of the components used.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Our local shop is very good and a central point for the community. Access to open spaces is good, but not to a pub. If a cafe is added as part of the sports pavilion then this will be an asset. Bus links appear to be very regular. If ever the rail link is extended then this would be a fantastic asset. Also, being right on the cycle path to Stratford is excellent for active mobility. Most people rely on cars (as do I). Travelling to Stratford is always a challenge at certain times of the day. My street is broadly good - especially after the police removed the illegal drug production facility next door to my house! We have come closer together as a street during lockdown, and I know more of my neighbours than I have in any other location. Parking isn't too bad unless people park on dropped kerbs. Driveways on a Persimmon estate are never generous, in my experience, and that is certainly true here, so visitors do end up struggling for nearby parking. There is a good amount of parking by the shop, though, which is a few-minutes walk away. Traffic noise is low, bin collections from Stratford District Council are thorough, regular and timely. I am happy to live here.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

We had a real issue with an outdated (now illegal) clause which was in the contract which gave over an interest in the property should the owner be negligent in paying the estate management fees. It was a fight to get this removed, yet surely Persimmon should actively be looking to remove this from everyone's contracts. Resolving this delayed our purchase by 6 weeks, which was a hideous experience.

What is the best feature of your home:

Personally, I really enjoy living over three storeys as having the top floor entirely turned over to the master suite is quite a haven.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Meon Vale is a lovely development to live. It has a fantastic local Londis shop which stocks a wide variety of food and drink and is larger than most other local shops in the area. The skate park and football pitches are good for the kids to play and the equipment caters for all ages. The bus links to the surrounding areas and Stratford upon Avon are timely and frequent. There is a gym, community hall and also a primary school on the development. The estate could do with a family themed pub/restaurant as this would be a great place to socialise although there are a couple of Facebook community groups that bring people together for events like Meon Vale fete in the summer. The woodland walks and the Greenway are also peaceful and tranquil for a walk or a bicycle ride.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I would have realised how easily the sound travels from outside to indoors and vice versa as sometimes when people walk past the house, you can hear every word they are saying despite the fact that all windows are closed

Please share one thing (or more) which you would change about your development:

I would make the driveway wider as it is not wide enough to open both sides of the car doors fully (so that everyone in the car can get in and out without hitting the wall)

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The setting of the site is outstanding, being as it is right on the edge of the Cotswolds and only five miles from Stratford upon Avon. The Greenway footpath is wonderful, with lovely local woodland which has just been saved from further development. The on-site convenience store is well stocked, with friendly staff. It really is one of the main hubs of the community. Transport links are great - good roads and a useful bus service. The estate is generally quiet and free from anti-social behaviour.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I’d known how much extra development had been planned for the area. The local roads are getting busier and busier.

What is the best feature of your home:

Good design with plenty of space; altogether it has been very good value for money.