It’s been barely four months since we put that first spade in the ground, and plots are already emerging at a rate that makes the time-lapse video look like it’s in slow motion.
With a focus on the roadside properties first, our build programme is on track, and the efficiency of our site management team remains consistently high. Off the road is in a conservation area, so we are currently renovating the old stable block into a 3-bed bungalow, with features that are sympathetic to its original stylistic elements and historic integrity. Royal Mail have already chosen to call this property The Coach House, which feels right for a building with a deep connection to farming and a story that oozes rural charm.
Across the road from The Coach House, beyond the site boundary, we have pledged to connect the footpaths in front of St Peter’s church, which we hope will make a huge difference to the safety of residents in the village and provide some continuity for walkers.
It is of utmost importance to us to be respectful of the villagers at all times, and for that reason, we never start work before 8 am and maintain a strict focus on cleanliness on and around the site. All our contractors are under strict instructions to tidy up after themselves, which is one of the reasons why our current team of around 25, including groundworkers, bricklayers and carpenters, is all working so well together.
The time of year dictates that we cannot work beyond 4.15 pm but light isn’t the only obstacle to us making headway. The recent cold snap has been a challenge, as the temperature ideally needs to be at 3 degrees or higher for bricklayers to be on site. However, the amazing dry period we experienced before this has enabled us to get almost all the foundations in, as well as the utilities and drainage system.
The development is really taking shape, and it is already evident that each home is being built with care and high-quality materials – hand-made clay bricks are on display everywhere. The remediation strategy is working well, ensuring that all gardens will be nourished with clean certified soil. On the subject of gardens, their proportions have clearly been considered favourably to ensure buyers can fully enjoy this aspect of country living.
You can see that great attention has been given to the layout, with the properties strategically placed so that new homeowners will not be overlooked or feel penned in. The intention for each home to be bespoke and have its own individual character is becoming increasingly apparent, too, as the buildings continue to rise out of the ground. It’s certainly keeping our team on their toes as they familiarise themselves with the different specifications.
It’s still early days for the build program, but it’s not too early to see that this is going to be a truly unique place to call home.
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