Thousands of estate agencies sell newbuilds every year on behalf of builders, but a new housing development in Dorset brings a new meaning to the phrase ‘liquid development’.

Silverlake, a lakeside community outside Dorchester, includes a new neighbourset set aside for floating holiday homes starting from £220,000 with four designs available and three sizes.

Once all the plots/moorings have gone it will be the UK’s first floating ‘housing development’ its developer says.

It has been launched as upmarket houseboats become fashionable whether canal-side, in marinas or on inland lagoons such as Silverlake.

The properties on offer on the lake come as two and three bedroom floating homes developed in partnership with Waterpod Lutra as ‘eco-conscious’ homes.

Another company, Koto, has also been signed up to design and deliver smaller one-bedroom floating homes for Silverlake.

Floating homes

Red Paxton, CEO of Habitat First Group

Red Paxton, CEO of Habitat First Group, which operates Silverlake, says “Our new lake will provide a serene base for people looking for a unique and striking on-the-water holiday home”.

Johnathon Little, Co-Founder of Koto says: “This launch marks an exciting new chapter for Koto – our first collection of floating homes.

But the Dorset development is a minor compared to housing development being planned in Rotterdam. There a disused dock is being turned into 100 low-cost homes, commercial units and public spaces, alongside floating and rooftop gardens.