Bellway is preparing to complete the finishing touches at a new homes development in Ashby which helped to fund thousands of trees for the National Forest.

The builder began building 135 new homes at Ashtree Gardens on land off Burton Road in 2017.

Construction work is now entering the final stages and more than 90 per cent of the homes have been sold.

Bellway, along with Ashberry Homes which is building on adjoining land off Moira Road, jointly funded 10,000 trees for the National Forest as part of the planning agreement for the development.

Marie Richards, Sales Director for Bellway West Midlands, said: "Ashtree Gardens has created an attractive new community which has become home to people of all ages. Since we opened our doors in 2017 it has consistently sold ahead of our expectations.

"Perhaps most importantly, the commitment to fund thousands of new trees for the National Forest has enhanced the sustainability of the development and enables us to leave a legacy once Ashtree Gardens is complete.

"We have built two, three, four and five-bedroom homes to ensure a variety of sizes and layouts would be available throughout the build programme. Many of our purchasers have used the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme to secure their new home and, more recently, have benefited from the stamp duty holiday.

"There are now just 14 homes remaining for sale, with nine of these eligible for the current Help to Buy scheme and the stamp duty holiday."

There is no stamp duty to pay on the first £500,000 of a home's value during the stamp duty holiday, which will end on 31 March 2021.

With Help to Buy, customers can buy a new home with a five per cent deposit and a 75 per cent mortgage.

The remaining 20 per cent is provided as an equity loan which is interest-free for five years. The scheme is currently open to people who are moving home, as well as first-time buyers.

From 1 April 2021, there will be a new Help to Buy scheme which will only be open to first-time buyers. This will be subject to regional price caps, which will be set at £261,900 for Leicestershire and the East Midlands.

The final homes at Ashtree Gardens range from three-bedroom semi-detached to large four-bedroom detached houses. Prices start at £255,524.

Marie said: "People will need to act quickly if they are looking to move before the end of March.

"If they have a home to sell, we can list it with a local agent through our Express Mover scheme and will pay the estate agency fees. The first step is to get in touch with us to arrange an appointment."

For more information on homes at Ashtree Gardens see bellway.co.uk or call 01530 553576.