RAF Couple Puts Down Roots at Brize Norton

With the Government’s newly extended Help to Buy scheme, special discounts designed specifically for the armed forces and now the monumental stamp duty holiday, thousands of military personnel are finding it easier to buy their own home. One young couple, who both work in the air force at RAF Brize Norton, found themselves in the fortunate position that they didn’t need to take advantage of any extra schemes, but were able to buy a four-bedroom house for £340,000 in Carterton, Oxfordshire. The couple completed the day after the stamp duty holiday was brought in – saving over £7,000.

Andrea Snape, a military nurse, and Kieran Welsh, an engineer (who are both 28) have both worked in the air force for almost 10 years. Andrea comments: “We were both sick of living in the block and having to share a kitchen. We have been together for two years now, and desperately wanted to have our own space rather than living in separate rooms floors apart. I love baking so it is nice to finally have my own kitchen and Kieran isn’t missing having to take our dog out in a hurry at night from his third-floor room! We are still just a five-minute drive from the base, which is perfect and there is a nice mix of civilians and military living at the development, including Kieran’s old boss!

In total, Annington is building 135 new three- and four-bedroom homes at The Crescent, which lies on the site of former MOD homes that were linked to RAF Brize Norton, on the edge of the Cotswolds.

Andrea continues: “Both Kieran and I have been so used to moving around as part of military life and we hadn’t wanted to put down roots of our own before now but we hope to stay living here for the next three to nine years. It all depends on if I can get into the hospital after my current posting, and then hopefully we can stay in the area longer term. Carterton works well as a location – there are lots of green spaces close by, including Shilton Park, which is just down the road, and perfect for walking the dog or going for a run, as well as Kilkenny Lane Country Park. Carterton town centre is also just a 10-minute walk away, where there are plenty of shops and pubs to choose from.

Andrea continues: “Some of the other properties that we looked at needed a lot of work. The properties at The Crescent were a lot more attractive and the house that we chose had everything we wanted, including a good-sized back garden. It feels like a friendly community, we had neighbours posting cards welcoming us as soon as we arrived. Our house is located just across the road from the on-site play area, which I always see full of parents and children.”

The Crescent is set to become a thriving community when complete, perfect for growing families, with a large play area and two additional playing spaces featuring varying levels of play equipment, including a balance beam, fun disk, trampoline, swing, and a variety of climbing and balancing equipment.

A brand new phase of 19 homes has just launched at The Crescent, with prices starting from £284,950 for a three-bedroom mid terrace home, which can be purchased with a five per cent deposit of £14,250 using Help to Buy.