With holiday properties in both Spain and South Wales, retirees Mr and Mrs Mann found themselves in the difficult, yet increasingly common, situation of leaving their 5 bedroom family home in Hartley Wintney empty for up to three months at a time.

Mr Mann explains:
‘Since we retired and our children left home, we have found ourselves leaving our large family home empty while spending increasing time at our other properties. Obviously, security was a concern, but in addition maintaining a large house and garden in our absence was proving problematic. It was at this time that we decided to sell our family home and look for a smaller property, either a bungalow or an apartment, in the area.’

Spurred on by a recommendation from a friend, the Manns visited the site of Millgate’s impressive North Court development in Finchampstead, painstakingly designed and built to echo the imposing Desimus Burton manor house that stood on the site and had been destroyed by fire in 1997.

They were so impressed by Millgate’s attention to detail including provision of a hardwired security system in each apartment, video entry system to control visitor access and CCTV surveillance, that they knew they had found the ideal solution to their changing situation.

‘On our first visit to the site, bricks were literally still being laid - but with the help of the Sales Office staff we were able to envisage what the finished apartments would be like, and initially reserved a two-bedroom apartment off plan.

However, as the development progressed, we decided that a three-bedroom apartment would suit our needs better, and we changed our reservation. The Sales staff were fantastic throughout, and attended to our every need.’

Following the sale of their family home, the Manns feel able to relax when spending time in Spain or South Wales, safe in the knowledge that their Berkshire home is secure and that the communal areas, including six acres of grounds, will be well tended. So impressed were the Manns with their purchase that they extended their stake in North Court, and bought one of the two stunning penthouses.

Now well settled in his spacious new home, Mr Mann explains some of the reasons behind their decision:

‘North Court offered us exactly what we were looking for, from the space and high internal specification to views over rolling countryside, and the peace of mind that our home is secure in our absence.

The other residents share our feeling of pride in our homes, and in ensuring that the building and its surroundings are maintained to the highest standard. Millgate provide a premium product and a service to match, and we couldn’t have found a better solution to meet our changing needs.’