Testimonial
Pilots land their dream home near Gatwick Airport
A young couple, both pilots, have landed their dream home at our Woodgate development in Pease Pottage, West Sussex.
Jai, a long-haul pilot, and fiancé Norbi, a short-haul pilot, have made the move to Woodgate. It ticked all their boxes for their busy careers and their desire for a spacious new home.
Having owned a new-build which promised a local shop and café but never materialised, and renting an apartment that lacked outdoor space, they were on the lookout for something special. That’s when Norbi, who was training at nearby Gatwick Airport, discovered Woodgate.
“When I first came across Woodgate, I loved it but thought we’d never be able to afford it – it was a dream we had whilst living in Edinburgh,” Norbi recalls. “But after sending a friend to check it out for us, we were mesmerised. He called us from his car and said, ‘You need to live here, I’ve never seen a place like this.’ He showed us the development on the video call and that sealed the deal.”
The couple made a quick flying visit to Woodgate and fell in love with the high-quality homes, larger-than-expected gardens, the huge village green, and the café, which was already open on site. “It was unlike any other new-build development we’d seen. There was so much space and we loved the community feel and all the greenery from the surrounding Tilgate Forest” said Jai.
The couple initially reserved a different property, but it was the four-bedroom Bolney house type that ultimately caught their attention. “We always thought the Bolney was beyond our budget,” Norbi said. “But after walking through the house, we knew it was our dream home and we had to make it happen. Jai went off to work and by the time he landed in New York, I’d spoken with our mortgage advisor and secured our new home!”
Jai and Norbi moved into their stunning new home in the summer, which features a south-facing garden, high ceilings ‘which is quite rare in most new builds,’ Norbi points out, and luxury finishes throughout. The Bolney offers them ample space, with four bedrooms, a balcony in the master bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe, and a ‘his and his’ sink in the en-suite bathroom.
“Buying off plan meant we had a choice of kitchen finishes” Norbi explains. “We got to select the kitchen colour, and it’s a proper upmarket kitchen with top-notch appliances. We even decided to upgrade our utility room worktop to match the Quartz in the kitchen and we love it!”
The home’s thoughtful design extends to the layout of Woodgate. “We always wanted a cul-de-sac with a generously sized garden, and this plot is perfect. Our previous new-build home felt a bit cramped with other houses overlooking us and insufficient parking,” continued Jai. “Here, it’s completely different. The design is really clever and well thought-out. Our garden, which we’ve since had landscaped, feels completely private, which was important to us, and we have ample parking plus a double garage. The architects have really thought of everything – from the large, beautifully paved drives, subtle bollard lights, and extra visitor bays which are rarely used except for Amazon deliveries – it all adds to the curb appeal and works for modern-day life,”
Another plus point that drew them to Woodgate is the peace and quiet. “Because we work with planes every day, the last thing we want is to live under a flight path,” Norbi explains. “At Woodgate, it’s rare to hear aircraft noise. We’ve sat on our balcony with a glass of wine in the evening, listening to the birds. It’s a peaceful spot.”
Energy efficiency was a key factor in the couple’s decision. The house came with underfloor heating, and a built-in electric vehicle (EV) charging point, which helped them secure a cashback incentive on top of their mortgage.
“Despite moving into a bigger home, our bills haven’t increased significantly,” Jai mentioned. “The house is so well insulated and energy-efficient. We’ve even got a deal with Octopus Energy for discounted electric car charging.”
The couple, who are also in the process of owning a Golden Doodle, appreciate that the house and wider development is future-proof for their needs. “The café and central green is a great place to meet people and their pets, and we’ve already made a bunch of new friends,” Norbi says. “There’s a lovely farm-style shop to grab essentials, or for a little treat for impromptu hosting! Plus, the local pub, The Black Swan, is within walking distance and does a great Sunday roast. When we bring home our new addition to the family, the forest trails will be perfect for runs and walks with the dog. Everything feels so accessible here.”
For Jai and Norbi, Woodgate offers the perfect balance between rural charm and city convenience. With quick access to Gatwick Airport, Brighton, and London, they find it easy to enjoy both work and play.
“We love the fact that we can be in central London in 35 minutes or at the beach in Brighton in just 25 minutes, but when we’re home, it feels like we live in the middle of a forest,” said Jai. “It’s the best of both worlds.”
Looking back on their journey, Jai and Norbi couldn’t be happier with their decision to move to Woodgate. “The whole process with Thakeham has been smooth – from snagging to customer service, they’ve been proactive and responsive. It’s been such a refreshing change from what we’ve experienced before.”
For Jai and Norbi, Woodgate isn’t just a house; it’s a home. “It feels like we’ve finally touched down exactly where we belong,” Jai concludes.
