Premier Construction

Ocean Reach

Ocean Reach
Written by Roma Publications

Ocean Reach – Resounding praise for exceptional scheme

A spectacular new coastal residential development, also including a new and highly successful restaurant on a site of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is nearing completion on Bolberry Down in Kingsbridge, Devon, in a project which has won resounding praise for the scheme’s main contractor.

Ocean Reach, which enjoys spectacular coastal views, includes 11 new homes – all boasting an exceptional high quality build using top-of-the-range materials, as well as a high-end internal specification.

Main contractors for the scheme are WM Construction, who together with their team of all-local subcontractors, have been highly praised for their work by client Sean Hassall, owner of the development, for their ‘outstanding’ work.

Sean Hassall said: “I am overwhelmed by the quality of the development which has come out even better than I thought – I love it. There has been no stress whatsoever for me as the builders have taken care of everything, and the people who have purchased properties have been delighted. It just couldn’t be better.

Ocean Reach

“Because Ocean Reach is set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Special Scientific Interest on the South West Coast Path (England’s longest way-marked long-distance footpath and a National Trail), everyone initially said that we would never obtain permission to build there.

“It was important that the new buildings should sit well within this context – so a modern glass and steel type construction would have been inappropriate. We worked together with the National Trust to come up with a design concept and size which would complement this outstanding natural setting.”

The first phase comprised the construction of seven new holiday homes (two three- bedroom and five two-bedroom), together with garages and a restaurant.

The homes include a terrace of five properties and two semi-detached houses. All of the properties include two bathrooms, hand-made kitchens with quartz work surfaces and high quality metal built-in appliances and underfloor heating.

Due to the exposed coastal location of the site, all the homes had to be constructed in the highest quality materials, including blockwork external elevations, natural slate roofing, and custom-coloured powder coated aluminium windows. As with many of the products and materials used in the build, the developer searched all around the UK to find the right specification for the windows – and this paid off as people who bought the houses said that even in the worst weather they have had to look outside to see if the wind is blowing, as the sound insulation properties of their windows is so good.

All of the homes have front and rear patios, gardens, parking spaces and large garages, and every window in each property has a sea view. Four of the homes have already been sold.

Sean Hassall continued: “We are so impressed with the quality of the build and specification of the new properties that we are having our own home demolished and re-built to the same standards using the same builders and the same materials.

“The new build restaurant and bar, which includes 40 covers inside and a further 30 on the external dining terrace, has been leased to local people who also run a pub. They have done an amazing job and have achieved double the amount of business they expected. In fact, people who want to come for a meal on a Sunday are now having to book at least two weeks in advance.”

The restaurant building is of blockwork construction, with a completely glazed frontage and natural slate roofing.

The interior is of contemporary design, and incorporates a bar, kitchen and dining area, with magnificent views right across the English Channel. The interior design features rustic wood panelling, a log burner, brass industrial lamps and Kardean flooring which can be easily cleaned and has the appearance of limed oak planks.

In addition, the entire restaurant site is fully accessible for disabled people and the National Trust have also just completed a disabled-friendly pathway round the downs right in front of the building.

The final phase of the project, due for completion in May 2018, involves the construction of four homes, including one three-bedroom permanent residence with probably the best panoramic views on the site; another building split into two one-bedroom apartments, and a further three-bedroom disabled-accessible house with a specification including a portable electric hoist, a wet-room, extra wide doors and a fully accessible dedicated external tarmac pathway leading to the restaurant and out onto the new accessible pathway along the downs.

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Roma Publications