A husband and wife have become the first home owners on a new development in Bloxham, after part-exchanging the property for their former home in the Lake District.

Gillian Roberts and her husband Mike picked up the keys for their brand new four-bedroom home on the Woodland Gardens development, just nine weeks after they saw it for the first time.

The couple viewed the property one Saturday in September and on the Monday the developer Bewley Homes valued their former home in Windermere and made them an offer to move.

Mrs Roberts said she was attracted to the area by the picturesque village of Bloxham and chose Woodland Gardens for the build quality and high standard of fixtures and fittings.

She said: “Bloxham is such a beautiful village; it has a variety of amenities and shops and I love the Cotswold stone and thatched roofs in the village.

“Woodland Gardens is quite different from the other new developments we’ve seen. We were impressed inside with the quality — everything from the door handles and the bath taps to the overall build quality.”

Another huge plus for the Roberts’ was the fact they could take the uncertainty and doubt out of the move by opting for a part-exchange deal, something they appreciated in a previous house move 15 years ago.

Mrs Roberts said: “Most normal house moves take three months and you’re always stressing that something could go wrong like you get gazumped or a move falls through further down the chain and then you can’t move. Part exchange just takes the hassle out if all. You know what you’ve been offered for the house won’t change and you know you’re guaranteed to move within eight weeks and that was one of the big attractions for us.”

Mrs Roberts, a PA in Banbury and her husband Mike, a teacher in Brackley, are now happy to be settled inside their new home with their 17-year-old cat Molly.

Sara Parker, residential development partner at Carter Jonas in Oxford, said: “We’re delighted the Roberts have been able to complete their move so quickly. The location of Woodland Gardens and the quality of the homes means we are seeing lots of enquiries from househunters.”

All 37 houses in Woodland Gardens have en suite bath or shower rooms, quality appliances, gas-fired central heating with thermostatic radiators, a choice of kitchen and bathroom finish and a 10-year building guarantee.

Prices range from £225,000 to £400,000 and the showhome is open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm. Call Carter Jonas New Homes team on 0844 7255556 or visit carterjonas.co.uk