Hayfield Commences Construction on a £25m Lakeside Development in Bedfordshire

Hayfield has started construction work at a prime 8.5-acre (3.46 Ha) site in the Bedfordshire village of Clophill to deliver 50 zero carbon ready homes next to a new country park and lakes. The £25m Hayfield Lakes development will feature air source heat pumps, energy-efficient underfloor heating, electric vehicle fast-charging points, enhanced levels of insulation, and fibre optic broadband to each property.

Hayfield secured planning approval for the site – which is located off Shefford Road – from Central Bedfordshire Council in late 2020. The development is being part-funded by the multi award-winning housebuilder’s £67m facility with OakNorth Bank. Hayfield’s scheme will facilitate the creation of the 292-acre (118 Ha) Clophill Lakes and nature reserve by Greensand Charitable Trust. 

Andy Morris, Managing Director of Hayfield, said: “We are delighted to have commenced construction at this zero-carbon ready development, which will be a unique addition to our portfolio. The opportunity to live in a traditional village setting, next to nearly 300 acres of new waterside parkland, will be very special indeed.

“We are planning to utilise an element of MMC at this site, in order to further enhance our eco-credentials and provide more certainty to the build programme. The first homes will be ready to move into this autumn, so we will be releasing a number for sale on an off-plan basis during the spring.

“This prime £25m development will create and safeguard construction jobs and provide a boost to the local economy. By working alongside the Greensand Trust, our neighbours and contractors during the two-year construction phase, the entire team will be focused on creating an outstanding new community and exceeding the hopes and aspirations of future Hayfield homeowners.”

Hayfield Lakes will incorporate a range of bungalows, and two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom executive houses. To generate enhancements to biodiversity, the expansive scheme will also incorporate Public Open Space, new habitats for wildlife, native tree planting, an attenuation pond to be planted with wetland wildflowers, and the vast majority of existing trees and hedgerows will also be retained and enhanced. A children’s play area will be delivered by Hayfield as part of the final phase of the development.

Hayfield’s reputation in Central Bedfordshire is well-established, with the 200 homes at Hayfield Gate in Clifton, and at Hayfield Place in Silsoe – which neighbours the village of Clophill – now in the final phase of construction. This latest scheme will set new standards in both eco-efficient living and luxury lifestyle, as Hayfield will be introducing its largest house design – the Eaton – to Bedfordshire, reflecting the aspirational target purchaser profile.

Hayfield’s sympathetic architecture takes design cues from the plethora of traditional properties in the small semi-rural village of Clophill. The executive homes have been designed with a high degree of consideration to the local vernacular, with features including timber and brick detailing. Predominantly heritage red brickwork will be complemented by dark grey feature window frames, traditional brown and grey roof tiles, and render in key locations.

A new access road and a network of footpaths to adoptable standards will be created from Shefford Road. The 50 new homes will be tenure blind by design, and all properties will have designated parking, with many benefiting from garages. Visitor parking spaces will also be widely available. The density of the development will be archetypally Hayfield and much lower than typical new build schemes.

Clophill is located 10 miles south of the city of Bedford, 11 miles north of Luton, and 18 miles east of Milton Keynes. A bus stop for a range of routes is situated 200m from the site. A convenience store, two bars/restaurants, Cainhoe Wood Golf Club, a local swimming centre, a lower school and preschool, Clophill Village Hall and two churches are all within a mile from the development. The local towns of Shefford, Ampthill and Flitwick offer additional facilities, including supermarkets. Flitwick train station is four miles away, providing regular services to London, Gatwick Airport, Brighton and Bedford.

Hayfield is currently on site delivering over 400 homes at eight developments across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. The company is on track to increase turnover to £150m this year.

To register early interest in Hayfield Lakes, email HayfieldLakes@HayfieldHomes.co.uk.