Hayfield land deal secures a £35m sustainable development in Gotherington, Gloucestershire

Hayfield, the award-winning 5-star housebuilder, has completed on a £35m land deal for 50 new homes in the Village of Gotherington, Gloucestershire.

The developer also successfully secured reserved matters planning permission for the 6.27 hectare scheme, just north of Bishops Cleeve, which will deliver a range of two, three and five-bedroom EPC A-rated homes and bungalows, designed to complement the mix of existing properties in Gotherington.  The outward facing design of the scheme has also been specifically planned to take advantage of the views south of the site.

Hayfield will take a tenure-blind approach to delivery, with 20 plots designated for affordable housing while the rest will be available for open-market sale.  

In line with the house builder’s strong environmental credentials, the entire development will be fossil-fuel free and achieve the gold standard for energy efficiency. Specification for every home will include solar PV panels, air source heat pump, energy-efficient underfloor heating, increased insulation, water efficiency measures and an electric vehicle charging point.

Hayfield is known for its A-rated, zero-carbon-ready design principles that exceed the government’s Future Homes Standard – a level of specification that will only become mandatory for housebuilders to meet from 2025. 

The scheme’s eco-design extends beyond the homes themselves, prioritising the natural environment. The development will deliver over 25% in biodiversity net gain to the local area; achieved by adding new habitats for wildlife including substantial native tree planting, building of a new pond with wetland wildflowers, and by retaining and enhancing existing trees, hedgerows and walkways.

Following public consultation to understand the priorities of local residents, the development will also provide on-site play equipment that is sensitive to the rural location.

Mark Booth, co-founder of Hayfield, said: “Our priority with every development is to deliver sustainable, beautiful homes that make a positive and long-lasting impact for their residents as well as the communities they belong to.

“As a result, this thoughtfully designed scheme will enable those who live here to significantly lower their carbon footprint and household energy usage. At the same time, the work we’re undertaking to enhance the biodiversity net gain and green spaces across the site will benefit Gotherington for generations to come.”

Hayfield is currently on site across eight developments, delivering over 300 homes across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire.