Living in a Brookworth community: what life’s really like in a luxury development

Working closely with so many homebuyers for the past 25 years, we’ve seen dramatic shifts in the property market and our homes themselves. New energy efficient technology has become increasingly standard, while smart home features have moved from nice-to-have to essential.

But, amid all the innovation, one thing has remained reassuringly constant: people value a welcoming community where they can live alongside others who share their lifestyles and aspirations. Alongside all the practical ways we make our homes spectacular places to live, community is key. In fact, data from the House Builders Federation highlights the importance of a ‘strong sense of community’, with 57% of homebuyers rating friendly neighbours as ‘crucial’.

We’re proud to build this sense of community at every one of our developments, but it doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from our considered approach to building and selling our homes, emphasising community from the very beginning.

How we create a flourishing new build community

When we meet would-be Brookworth homeowners, one of the most common questions is: ‘What are new build neighbours like?’. Even with the most stylish architecture and the most elegant interiors, how your new home feels to live in very much depends on the people around you.

That’s why we take steps to sow the seeds of healthy, welcoming communities at every stage of the development process.

Smaller new build developments in well-connected locations

The community around a new Brookworth development comes from the development itself, but also the surrounding area. We carefully select our locations based on the type of community we’ll be joining, as well as ease of access to local amenities and services. 

In the words of one of our homeowners at The Exchange in Cheltenham: “Our move was driven by our desire to be closer to things that are important to us, like theatres, restaurants, activities, hospitals and good doctors.” To feel like you’re part of the local community, it’s important to find a home that makes it easy to head out and interact with that community, whether you’re popping into the local pub for lunch or joining local events.

We also focus on smaller, more exclusive developments, making it easier to get to know your neighbours. Our Gallica development in Sissinghurst, Kent, includes just ten homes, maintaining a level of exclusivity. This also affords us a more selective approach in how we sell.

Our unique approach to selling new build homes

Our emphasis on high quality, premium design and small developments means our homes are often in high demand from discerning buyers. This means we can work with potential buyers to see how they might fit alongside the wider community, taking extra time to maintain standards.

In this way, we can curate flourishing communities where like-minded people live side-by-side and different perspectives and life stories come together. 

Significantly, finding the right fit also helps to ensure longevity. According to the Office for National Statistics, residential stability – people staying in a property long term – is key to local social connections. Our approach to selling our homes makes short-term moves unlikely, so new residents stay long enough to become valued parts of the community. 

Thinking beyond your individual property

Your experience as part of the community doesn’t stop with your property. It’s also influenced by the surrounding area and infrastructure, from roads to lighting and landscaping.

That’s why we continually invest to keep our developments at their best, partly through our management company. Our approach to management is one of clarity and transparency, so you always understand your management fees and how they’re being spent. This includes discussion and agreement with residents before any management fees are increased.

Management company charges typically cover:

• Agent, banking/accountancy and specialist fees (like risk assessment or insurance re-evaluations)

• General administration costs

• Landscaping fees

• Electricity supply for communal lights and bollards

• Pump station maintenance, service and insurance

• Public liability insurance

• Sinking funds for long-term road upkeep

We usually incorporate a management company, then a managing agent takes over day-to-day management when a development is 70% sold. Significantly, we also welcome residents to become Directors, increasing your decision-making power.

As a result, the development as a whole is always in the hands of those who care about creating community, enriching the local area and giving every resident a great experience.

Living in a luxury development and thriving community

With small developments and a considered way of selling, we lay the foundations for close-knit communities. But what excites us the most is the way each community we create takes on a life of its own, growing over time thanks to the people who live in it.

An entire community of fascinating life stories

One of our favourite parts of the development process is meeting so many interesting people as we conduct one-to-one viewings and share our show homes. When you choose a Brookworth home, you join a community of people with fascinating life stories.

Many of our residents have had successful careers, while others have busy lifestyles with second homes overseas and regular travel. Others choose a luxury new build home as they begin to settle and enjoy a more relaxed way of life. One resident said: “This is our 21st move in 40 years and having previously been frequent relocators due to my husband’s career, we’re very happy to be settled in our new home.”

This enriches our communities with a real diversity of perspective and experience. There’s always a great conversation to have with your neighbours, people who share your values, discerning tastes and aspirations.

Creating integrated communities

In addition to our private homeowners, we’re driven to make integrated communities where NHS workers, teachers and university researchers become valued parts of our resident mix.

These social and affordable housing initiatives are an opportunity to bring more varied residents into our communities, especially those in vital sectors that we all depend on for our health, education and wellbeing. Significantly, our emphasis on quality runs through every property we create, maintaining a high overall standard across each development.

Opportunities to build informal connections

We strive to help every homeowner settle into their new community, through structured initiatives and informal introductions.

Our highly personal sales process means we get to know each of our residents and can introduce you to like-minded people within the community. At some developments, we also implement Community Leaders: friendly residents to offer tours of their homes and make sure you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

Find your community with Brookworth Homes

A Brookworth development is more than a curated collection of stylish homes. It’s an aspirational community of interesting people who value quality. A place to call home, but also a place to feel connected and included, whether you’re joining a community event or just saying hello to your neighbours on your morning walk.

That’s why, when homeowners ask us what the new build neighbours are like, our answer is surprisingly simple: they’re people like you.

Explore our developments to find your perfect community, or get in touch with our experienced sales teams for more help.