APPLETON Roebuck is an ancient village, mentioned in the Domesday Book, meaning it was settled well before the Norman Conquest.

Its name, if you are into that kind of thing, comes from the Anglo Saxon and signifies a farm owned by a man named Rabuk, where apple trees grew.

Such is its history that much of the village has been designated a Conservation Area and it has at least six Grade II-Listed buildings within its boundaries.

Right, that’s the past dealt with – now for the future. In the shape of a superb new contemporary development based a short stroll away from the village green and two excellent local pubs.

Superb for a number of reasons – not only are the houses brilliantly designed (by The Planning and Design Partnership) and skilfully built (David Emerson Ltd), but they have managed to blend beautifully among their older neighbours.

This is a small, select gathering, just eight homes in a range of different sizes and styles, cleverly hidden away yet with fine open views of the surrounding countryside.

All of the properties have gardens, of varying size, allocated parking spaces or garages. “It really is a superb development,” says Oliver Newby of marketing agents Stephensons.

Well, we are not going to disagree – instead we will walk you through what’s on offer.

Starting with plots 1- 4, put together in a cottage-style row and having period-style character but with a modern twist, not least in being set over three floors. Each of the homes offers a sitting room with a wood burning stove, superbly fitted Shaker-style Howdens kitchens and useful ground floor cloakroom (and all warmed by underfloor heating).

On the first floor, there are two bedrooms and a house bathroom and then there is a real highlight in the shape of second floor master bedroom with en-suite wet room (and plenty of eaves storage to front and back). Prices for these homes start at £235,000.

Next we find a pair of stylish semidetached houses on plots 5 and 6, both with smart layouts which include a fitted kitchen which opens to a dining room (with French doors opening to a rear garden). There is a separate living room which, as with the cottages, has a log-burning stove warming its heart. Upstairs there is a master bedroom with ensuite, a guest bedroom, also with en-suite, and two further bedrooms and a house bathroom. Both are priced at £350,000.

We’re moving up the ladder in terms of size for the final two plots – both have a huge amount of floor space and lots to admire.

Plot 7 has a real wow factor openplan kitchen and family room which, at some 30ft in length, is huge and hugely appealing (particularly as the family room area has two sets of doors opening to the garden, making this the ultimate entertaining space). The ground floor also has a separate living room and utility and cloak rooms.

There are four bedrooms on the first floor, two of which have ensuite shower rooms and there is a luxurious house bathroom.

The accommodation is completed by a fifth bedroom and bathroom and a study on the second floor.

Luxury home, then, for which the asking price is £550,000.

And now for the daddy of the group – plot 8, offering 3,000 sq ft of floor space and with some breathtaking highlights.

As with plot 7, there is a quite wonderful open-plan kitchen/family/ dining room which (when you throw in the utility, cloak and shower rooms) runs the full length of the back of the house – and with a series of bi-folding doors opening onto the garden again provides a wonderful party/entertaining space.

There is more to the first floor in the shape of a living room and a good-sized study to the front of the house.

Upstairs there is a dream of a master suite with bedroom, large dressing room and en-suite shower room. There are three further bedrooms (one en-suite) and a house bathroom, all set around a balcony landing.

And then, on the second floor, there are yet two more bedrooms, sharing a bathroom.

All yours for £625,000.

OPEN WEEKEND

You can have a look at the superb homes on this development when marketing agents Stephensons host an open weekend this Saturday and Sunday. For details contact Stephensons on (01904) 625533.