Catalyst: Shared Ownership launch in new Bedfordshire community

First time buyers can attend the digital preview of The Lanes at Thorn Field in Houghton Regis

On Saturday 7th November, Catalyst will be hosting a virtual preview event for their launch of The Lanes at Thorn Field. The first phase will feature nine three and four bedroom Shared Ownership homes on the edge of Houghton Regis.  

The Lanes at Thorn Field is a collection of two, three, and four bedroom homes that form part of the Bidwell West development project; an ambitious scheme delivering up to 1,850 homes, new commercial space, a primary school, local centre and recreational and landscaped spaces. Adding to the area’s established nature credentials, a new quarry wildlife site will form the development’s ecological core. 

Bidwell West is the latest phase in a 20-year project to deliver over 5,000 homes to Houghton Regis, alongside three primary schools, around 1 million square feet of retail, leisure and office space and community resources, including a doctors’ surgery and community hall. Retaining the area’s much-loved greenery, the masterplan will interweave community orchards, formal parkland, sports pitches and open space across the site.  

Catalyst will be hosting two digital events to launch The Lanes at Thorn Fields at 11am and 2pm, providing buyers with an overview of the family homes, and an insight into the wider masterplan for Houghton Regis. Following the event, interested buyers will be able to arrange one-to-one appointments with the sales team to move forward with their reservation process.  

Markus Kendall-Young, Head of Group Sales and Marketing at Catalyst, comments:  “In the current climate, it has been necessary for us to adapt our usual home-buying process to meet the immense digital demand from first time buyers. We’ve found our virtual preview events to have worked brilliantly, with our most recent launch leading to 40% of our homes being reserved in the following four days. The Lanes at Thorn Field virtual preview events offer potential buyers the opportunity to join an interactive presentation on the development, have their questions answered by our sales team, and learn more about the Shared Ownership process.” 

Spacious family homes feature tall ceilings and large windows, flooding the living spaces with natural light. High specification touches include integrated Zanussi kitchen appliances and Symphony cabinet units, while fully fitted carpets and turfing to the rear garden are included in the price as standard. 

Residents at The Lanes at Thorn Field have the English countryside right on their doorstep – Dunstable Downs are just a 12 minute drive away and the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is within easy each. Closer to home, Houghton Hall Park provides plenty of cycling paths, walking and running trails, and beautiful picnic spots.  

Conveniently located a short distance from Leagrave, Leighton Buzzard, and Luton train stations, Houghton Regis is perfect for London’s commuters – with direct trains from Leagrave station to London King’s Cross taking only 30 minutes. For journeys by road, the M1 is just over two miles away, offering a quick link to Milton Keynes in less than half an hour.  

Two bedroom homes at The Lanes at Thorn Field start from £106,000 for a 40% share (full market value £265,000) and three bedroom houses from £146,000 for a 40% share (full market value £365,000). Four bedroom homes start from £186,000 for a 40% share (full market value £460,000).  

Catalyst’s virtual preview events at The Lanes at Thorn Field take place on Saturday 7th November at 11am and 2pm. To register to attend, visit: catalyst.homes  

Share to Buy is a one stop shop for affordable homes. On our website, you can search for propertiescompare mortgages and find out all you need to know about alternative home buying schemes such as Shared Ownership and Help to Buy via our FAQs and guides.