Man sleeps in car outside Redrow development to secure dream home
Determined to secure his dream home in the perfect location, an Arts-and-Crafts-inspired development by Redrow Homes in Llantarnam, Wales, Colin Green slept in his car outside the sales office at The Maltings. The Heritage Collection at The Maltings will see 26 three and four bedroom homes built in phase one.

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Colin and Karen Green were seriously considering retiring to the South Coast of England until a chance drive past a new housing development in Wales changed their future.

And they were so smitten with the Redrow development which is influenced by the Arts and Crafts period that Colin slept in his car to make sure they ended up with their dream home.

"I just happened to see the flags for The Maltings near Llantarnam, Cwmbran when driving past and it was really perfect timing for our house move," said Colin, a retired education officer who now lectures for the University of South Wales.

"Our daughter lives in Swansea so this way we get to have the home of our dreams and stay closer to our family."

Colin and Karen, who currently live in Caerleon, were enticed to visit the company's Wenvoe development by the 1930s Arts and Crafts classic style of The Heritage Collection of homes.

The couple were captivated by the mix of traditional and modern design both externally and within the new houses.

Kate Lacey, Area Sales Manager for Redrow South Wales, said: "The unique designs aim to match traditional render and brick exteriors with modern, open-plan living spaces to create truly classic homes with timeless appeal."

The Heritage Collection at The Maltings will be a development of 26 three and four bedroom homes within Phase 1.

The site is a muddy field at the moment but two show homes of The Oxford and The Ludlow designs are due to open in January 2017.

Colin said: "We did a lot of research into the different house types that were available and went to visit the Redrow site at Wenvoe to see the show home and get more of a feel for the finish on the homes and the developments.

"It was also very important to us to have a very light home with a garden that would get sun throughout the day so we chose the Welwyn home because we knew it would fit these requirements."

So, Colin and Karen decided there was no chance of losing out on their dream home when sales at The Maltings site opened.

There was only one thing to do; sleep in the car.

Colin said: "I arrived at about 11:30pm and then it was just me and the rabbits until the morning!

"I got through 119 songs on my iPod but it was a warm night so I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. My wife came down to join me in the queue in the morning."

And was the night in the car worth it? "Oh yes!" said Colin, "We’ve got our dream home in our perfect location. Our friends and family all think it’s quite funny and it’s a good story to tell.

"We’re very happy with our choice and really looking forward to having such a light, well laid out home and to getting to work in the garden."