3 minutes
Caroline FitzGerald, a former teacher aged 44, and her family have found the perfect balance of rural charm and modern convenience at Sigma Homes’ Spring Bank development in West Sussex. As the very first family to move into the development in July, they have been making the most of their exclusive use of the new community!
After months of searching across three counties, viewing both older and new properties, Caroline and her husband, Richard aged 45, knew they had found their forever home when they visited Spring Bank.
The FitzGeralds, who previously lived in a four-bedroom Victorian semi in the London suburb of Sutton, were yearning for a lifestyle change. “We were keen to find a peaceful countryside setting, but still with accessible transport links to London for my husband’s work. Another important factor was the schools for our 10-year-old son, Dylan. As an ex-teacher, I knew what to look out for!” Caroline exclaims.
“We explored so many locations over a seven-month period, from Surrey and Sussex to Kent, but we were often disappointed. The older homes all needed a lot of updating or renovating and we’d done all that before in our previous home. The other new-build houses were lovely, but we were put off by the sheer size and density of the estates - some were crowded with over 500 houses all on top of one another and they all looked the same. There was nothing unique about them," Caroline recalls.
It wasn’t until Caroline came across another development by Sigma Homes that they discovered Spring Bank. “We initially looked at Hanlye View and were blown away by the houses. That then triggered us to see what other developments Sigma Homes had, and that’s how we discovered Spring Bank,” Caroline explains.
Spring Bank has just 20 homes, all different and individual in character, with high-quality building techniques and thoughtful designs. “It’s small and peaceful, but not isolated," Caroline says. “The countryside is on our doorstep and it feels very safe. It's just right for us.”
The nearby schools have also had a positive impact on Dylan, who now attends a village primary school that emphasises forest school experiences and outdoor activities — a refreshing change from their urban setting in London. “It’s worlds away from his school in London - it’s a nurturing bubble. We drive past cows on the school run, he gets to enjoy the outdoors much more and it’s all gone down really well with him. He’s very happy.”
The decision to move was further confirmed by the development’s prime location. Situated in the bustling town of Haywards Heath and on the doorstep of the stunning Sussex Downs, Spring Bank is also within easy reach of vibrant Brighton and just a short train journey from London. “The other week, we picked Dylan up from school and drove down to Brighton for fish and chips on the beach. It was a real pinch myself moment,” Caroline shared. “The local high street is also very good and is well used with a nice mix of independent shops, and chains.”
Caroline also recalls how the quality of Sigma Homes stood out immediately. “Unlike many other new-builds we viewed, we were impressed by the layout and high spec of these homes. The design makes such good use of the space," Caroline says. “We have a large open-plan family room with kitchen, dining and family area, but still have a separate lounge which was important for us. We also have three bedrooms plus a dedicated office space for Richard, so he’s not disturbed when guests come to stay. And we have a lovely-sized, south-facing garden, perfect Lulu,” their two-year-old Cavapoo.
For Caroline, who lives with multiple sclerosis, a low-maintenance and well-designed home was essential, “Everything about this house has been considered with modern life in mind. A bedroom with an ensuite is a life changer for me and my MS. And the fact it has ample parking for two cars in addition to our garage is also very practical. Not only that, but the cars can be easily reached from our utility room. It just flows and works logically - especially for bringing in the weekly food shop!”
The home’s eco-friendly features, such as its high EPC B rating, solar panels and built-in EV charging point, also resonated with the FitzGeralds, who already own an electric car. Though it’s still early to say for sure, the couple expects to see significant reductions in energy usage compared to their previous Victorian property, which had an EPC rating of D.
Beyond the property itself, the area’s sense of community and rural location has been a huge hit with the whole family and, in particular, their Cavapoo. “There are loads of places to walk and explore with Lulu. The country pubs are fantastic and dog-friendly. The Fox and Hound is a 3-minute walk away and we’ve already been a couple of times for dinner. It’s so nice not having to take the car.”
The FitzGeralds’ experience with Sigma Homes has been seamless, with the developer’s team on hand to assist with every step of the process. Caroline praised Sigma’s approach to customer service, saying, “Elaine from Sigma was amazing throughout – always available to answer questions and any minor snagging issues were resolved swiftly.”
As the sole family currently living at Spring Bank, the FitzGeralds are making the most of their exclusivity before more neighbours arrive. Dylan can often be found outside cycling around the cul-de-sac on his bicycle. “It feels like the whole place is ours and we’ve secretly loved it! Though we’re very much looking forward to welcoming our neighbours soon”
Back to News