Work Starts on EPC A-rated Hayfield Grove Development in the Worcestershire Village of Hallow

Hayfield has commenced construction at its first EPC A-rated development. Located in Hallow, Worcestershire, the £20m development will feature 55 zero carbon ready homes.

Hayfield secured planning approval for the prime 5.5-acre (2.23Ha) site – which is located adjacent to Greenhill Lane – from Malvern Hills District Council earlier this year. The development is being part-funded by the multi award-winning housebuilder’s £67m facility with OakNorth Bank. The new scheme is next to Hayfield Meadow; a residential development which the multi award-winning housebuilder completed in 2019.

Hayfield Grove will include the creation of 2.5-acres of outstanding new Public Open Space, to join up with the extensive landscaped open space and fully equipped playground that was created as part of the original Hayfield Meadow scheme. The 55 one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom bungalows, houses and apartments have been specified with Air Source Heat Pumps, solar PV panels, energy-efficient underfloor heating, smart electric vehicle fast-charging points, and fibre optic broadband to each property.

Andy Morris, Managing Director of Hayfield, said: “Only 2% of new homes are currently being built to EPC A standards, which indicates the highest energy efficiency and performance standards. While our standard specification already delivers zero carbon ready homes, which achieve a high EPC B-rating, we have taken the decision enhance the eco credentials for Hayfield Grove further with solar PV panels.

“The future residents will benefit from a home that self-generates a proportion of household electricity, which when combined with our air source heat pumps, will significantly minimise grid energy use. In addition, EV charging points are installed as standard, enabling solar energy to be used to power cars too. These outstanding homes will be fit for the future, while combining the kerb appeal of traditional architecture and considerable net biodiversity gains across the site.”

The Hayfield Grove site was allocated within the Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Plan for Hallow, produced in consultation with local residents. Hayfield’s designs for this new development are heavily influenced by traditional homes in the village and the Hallow Design Guide. The architectural style combines red brick with stone features and contrasting dark roof tiles. The first homes will be ready to move into before the end of this year. 

This is the first time five-year-old Hayfield has had the opportunity to create a sister scheme to an existing development. Being only three miles outside of the centre of Worcester’s cathedral city, Hallow is a very popular village, with the original Hayfield Meadow development selling well ahead of the build programme.

Hayfield will create new landscaped walking and cycling routes through the development to connect the new scheme into the neighbourhood. New wildflower planting and a new biodiverse pond will create significant ecological benefits. The density of the development will be archetypally Hayfield and much lower than typical new build schemes, with extensive new tree planting incorporated into the masterplan, including orchard tree planting particularly appropriate for the site’s Worcestershire context. 

Hallow’s convenient location is ideal for commuting, shopping and visiting the many attractions Worcestershire has to offer. The quintessential village itself is very vibrant and the Crown Inn pub at Hallow is known to be a destination for those living in the surrounding area. Hallow Primary School – situated close to the site – is highly regarded by local families, while the development also falls within the catchment of the Ofsted Outstanding-rated Chantry School for 11–16-year-olds, which is in the nearby village of Martley.

Hayfield is currently on site delivering over 500 homes at nine developments across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. The company is on track to increase turnover to £150m during this year.