Twigden Homes, Fairfield Park, Arlesey, Bedfordshire
Fairfield Park is a beautiful 300-acre development situated on a conservation site near the villages of Arlesey and Stotfold, just off the A1.
A former 19th-century, Grade II listed hospital once stood in the grounds of Fairfield Park and has provided the theme for the new estate. The hospital building has been sympathetically converted into apartments, and a number of developers are building houses in the grounds, in styles that are wonderfully reminiscent of Victorian England.
Twigden Homes is one such developer, building a range of houses, from terraced to detached, with two to six bedrooms. Phase 1 (Trinity Gate) is almost sold out, with another three phases to be launched over the next two or three years.
Twigden is using traditional masonry building methods at Fairfield Park, for example on the stone archways above windows. Other special features include authentic timber sash windows, working fireplaces, cast-iron railings and wall-mounted street lighting.
A proper family home
There is a range of house styles, with the ‘George’ having won a What House? Award this year for Best House Type. The George is a five-bedroom home interestingly laid out over two storeys. It comprises useful spaces such as a playroom, utility room and a detached double garage with study above.
Twigden’s show homes at Fairfield Park feel exceptionally solid and spacious, with well-crafted fixtures and fittings. Plus, buyers are offered a choice of interior style – Victoriana or Contemporary.
The Victoriana style offers a distinctive interior with gorgeous touches such as a Butler sink, gold and black Victorian-style range cooker, brass door furniture and ceiling roses. The Contemporary interior offers modern finishes such as ash-veneer doors and chrome door furniture.
The George house type costs from £554,995, but prices start at around £235,000 for a two-bedroom ‘Bertie’.
A model of sustainability
Community and family are central to Fairfield Park’s ethos, with a community centre, school, convenience store, tennis courts and play areas planned. Existing facilities include cricket, bowls and a gym. Outdoor space has been given high priority – the development was laid out to favour the pedestrian and cyclist rather than the car, and there are cycleways and woodland paths to prove it.
Plus, there are traffic-calming measures and restrictions on street lighting to ensure as peaceful a neighbourhood as possible.
Set amid mature woodland and benefiting from two nearby lagoons, Fairfield Park has already been recognised for its commitment to the environment and efforts to preserve the natural habitats of local wildlife. Black squirrels and a range of birds, insects and butterflies are among the protected species here.
And, to encourage residents to be ‘green’, all seven developers on the site have signed up to a sustainability initiative that will be independently monitored. Each new home will include a water butt and water meter, recycling storage facilities, cycle racks, and energy-efficient boilers and light fittings.
For more information, telephone Twigden Homes on 01462 683537 or visit the website.
By Sarah Speight