Proving that Brownfield doesn’t always mean city centre apartment schemes is Meadow View on the outskirts of Redbourn near Harpenden. Just over four years ago, it was the home of Universal Salvage (a famed car breakers yard) but now it’s home to 20 detached houses, a manor house with seven apartments for key professionals, a village green - and even a wildlife pond.
Meadow View is also less than 30 minutes by train from nearby Harpenden Station to St Pancreas - but the development couldn’t be further away from the Capital in every other sense.
For starters, there’s an overwhelming feeling of space: set in nine acres of Hertfordshire Greenbelt, most of the homes on the scheme come complete with views over the county’s rolling fields.
Then there’s the homes themselves. Each of the residences for sale is detached (a planning miracle), has a good sized garden and comes with four or five bedrooms.
And anyone thinking new build homes mean rows of identical boxes can think again here – each house is individually finished, giving the development a truly eclectic mix of house styles and types. And to add to the sense of arrival, this development is really private, set behind electronic entrance gates.
According to the developers masterminding Meadow View (Donald Harrison Homes and the Catesby Property Group), the architects were briefed to come up with a scheme that had the look and feel of a traditional British Hamlet which had evolved over time. So, styles range from Tudor to country flint; Victorian villa to contemporary brick and the six acres of open space, wildlife pond and village green complete the picture.
Steve Ewer of Donald Harrison Homes said; “Unique is word used all too often in the residential property market but in this case, that word truly applies. I would challenge anyone to find a new build scheme this close to the Capital in such a rural setting. The views from the homes are really breathtaking – even in deep winter. Anyone wanting a complete change from the crowded Capital with fresh air and space should find the answer here.”
Proving the point that Meadow View is commuter heaven, the developers point to nearby Harpenden and Redbourn villages. Both are noted for good schools, busy high street shops, golf courses and open Common land. Redbourn also offers a fine leisure centre.
As part of their work to regenerate the former salvage yard, Catesby and Donald Harrison Homes have also made key improvements to the main road connecting Meadow View to the M1 motorway and to the nearby villages – even installing a cycle lane for more energetic families to enjoy. The scheme is half a mile from junction nine of the M1 and within eight miles of the M25.
For further information visit the showhome which is open from 10.00am to 5.00 pm everyday or call 01582 799002.
