History at Fairford’s Old Yells Yard

Ground has been broken on the Old Yells Yard development at Fairford, Gloucestershire. This collection of nine new homes will be developed and in-line with adjacent 18th century listed buildings within the Fairford Conservation Area, whilst also incorporating sustainable modern features, such as solar panels.

Adjacent to this development sits an open meadow area to the southeast and the grade II listed Ivy Villa, an 18th century dwelling. The building is strongly linked to the Yells family, who have strong links to the area throughout Fairford’s history.

The site originated as a small agricultural holding in the 18th century. From 1858 to 1978, it was used as a family-owned building firm, which the name ‘Yells Yard’ reflects. They are known to have constructed and worked on several Fairford buildings and houses, making Yells Yard an important link to the history of the town.

A recent member of the Yells family recalls that the family business pivoted from mainly agricultural work to a building during a boom during the post-war years: “They built a huge number of properties in the area, including Burdocks and Palmer Hall. They worked at The Retreat for Dr A C King-Turner, Palmer Hall and flourished during the building boom after the war.”

According to the Fairford History Society, Palmer Hall is still in use as a community Hall to this day. The Burdocks also still stands today, as an impressive Queen Anne-style country house.

The new homes at Yells Yard aim to bring a new lease of life to this forgotten, yet historically significant area of Fairford.

Mark Tinson, Divisional Director, said: “We have worked closely with planning and heritage consultants to achieve very stylish homes which carefully follow local, Cotswolds design codes.”

To enquire about properties on this development, please contact Richard James: available by email at newhomes@richardjames.uk, or call on 01793 688705.

If you have any queries relating to this article, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

West Hanney Home: Refurbished Four-Bedroom Farmhouse

 

West Hanney New Home: Farmhouse

Looking for your new West Hanney home? The award-winning Hills Homes is proud to present our beautifully refurbished, traditional four-bedroom farmhouse, 1 Spring Close, nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of West Hanney, Oxfordshire.

Adjacent to the Spring Close collection of seven homes in the rural West Hanney village, this refurbishment of the former Deans Farmhouse seamless blends together timeless charm with modern comforts. The character of the original building is thoughtfully preserved throughout, whilst incorporating contemporary features.

This West Hanney home offers generous space for family life and entertaining. There are four spacious bedrooms, two elegant bathrooms, and generous ground floor living space. The garden is south-facing, and there is an expansive front courtyard for ample parking.

The property offers a beautifully fitted kitchen with integrated fridge/freezer, separate oven/microwave and automatic dishwasher. This West Hanney home features a gas-fired central heating, sealed unit double-gazed windows and doors. Moreover, there is a log-burner in the sitting room, and floor coverings throughout the property. In the garden features a lawn laid to turf, complete with close board fencing to the rear garden.

West Hanney affords access to comprehensive facilities in the nearby Wantage, Abingdon, Faringdon and Oxford, with the mainline rail link from Didcot Parkway.

With no onward chain, this stunning property is ready for you to move in immediately. Discover how you can make this house your home with Green & Co. estate agents.

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

Calne New Homes: Last Remaining High Penn Park Properties

Our housing development, High Penn Park, has two remaining Calne new home properties available, each complete with furniture as former show home properties.

With stamp duty rates changing from April 2025, this could be your last chance to purchase a new home under the current residential property rates. With no onward chain, these properties are ready for you to move in immediately, complete with furnishings and fittings as former show homes.

Kington

The Kington is an attractive, spacious three-bedroom, two-storey semi-detached home with two parking spaces. It features a good-sized lounge with French doors to the garden, impressively equipped kitchen/dining room space with dishwasher and fridge/freezer, as well as a contemporary bathroom suite with heated towel rail. Moreover, the master bedroom contains a fitted wardrobe and ensuite.

Kington Floor Plan - Calne New Home

Barbury

The Barbury is a substantial, detached four-bedroom family home with a single garage and landscaped rear garden. The property features a beautifully equipped kitchen with range style cooker and microwave. Upstairs, there are four double bedrooms with two en-suites and fitted wardrobes. Additionally, downstairs boasts a study and utility room.

Barbury Floor Plan - Calne New Home

High Penn Park is an attractive development adjacent to the countryside, situated in the historic market town of Calne. Made with modern methods and traditional materials, constructed from a mix of brick, stone and render under a tiled roof. These new homes have been built to Hills’ exacting standards with modern methods and traditional materials.

These Calne new homes ensure a warm, safe, low energy, sustainable living space. Hills Homes make sure its new homes are built with care and attention. It’s important to balance the best of contemporary convenience with traditional character and excellent build quality.

Interested in securing your new home? Seize the opportunity to explore our last remaining High Penn properties here.

Hills Homes is an award-winning local developer with a strong reputation for building high-quality homes on carefully selected sites. We don’t just build houses, we build homes.

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

 

High Penn Park tops out

Hills Homes High Penn Park tops out

Hills Homes held a topping out ceremony at their High Penn Park development in Calne.

The ceremony, which involved placing the final roof trusses on the last home, was held to mark the final stages of the build, with only a handful of homes now remaining for sale at the site.

The attractive family-friendly development, nestled on the edge of the historic market town, boasts 200 traditional character homes designed to reflect the local architecture. The homes are constructed from a mix of brick, stone and render under tiled roofs, offering buyers a low-energy, sustainable living space.

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “High Penn Park has been delivered in three phases over six years and is one of our most popular developments. Its success is a testament to the high-quality construction and expert craftsmanship synonymous with our brand.”

He continued, “I am pleased to see the site coming to fruition and was delighted to welcome key members of our site team along with surveyors and managers from Wiltshire Council Building Control to the topping out ceremony.”

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

Hills Homes scoops two regional awards

Hills Homes Awards LABS Regional

Hills Homes has scooped two awards at the LABC Building Excellence Regional Awards 2023.

Darren Cawkwell, Quality Control Manager, Hills Homes, won the ‘Construction Specialist of the Year’ regional award for the West of England. Darren collected his award in a recent presentation ceremony held in Swindon alongside his colleague Michael Kord, Site Manager, Hills Homes, who also picked up an award.

Michael won the ‘Best Residential Site Manager’ regional award for the West of England for his outstanding work at The Paddocks development in Blunsdon.

Mark Tinson, Divisional Director – Operations, Hills Homes, said: “It is an excellent achievement to have not one but two of the team recognised for their hard work and professionalism. Hopefully, a win beckons at the national finals.”

Nick King, Group Director, Hills Homes, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised again by the LABC for our quality builds and expertise in the homes sector.”

The pair will now go through to the LABC Grand Finals, which will take place early next year, with potential for further Hills Homes awards successes.

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

Hills Homes Wins Building Safety Group Health & Safety Award

 

Health & Safety Award Hills Homes

Hills Homes Developments has won the ‘Member of the Year Award’ for the central region at the Building Safety Group (BSG) Health & Safety Awards 2023.

Hills secured the prestigious honour in recognition of their improvements in health and safety across all sites.

This health & safety award is a welcome addition to their already impressive tally of industry accolades won by the company over the last 12 months.

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “It is such an honour to be acknowledged for the big strides Hills Homes have made in this area across the division. The entire team has been committed to improving health and safety across all our sites. This award is a testament to all their hard work and dedication.”

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

Hills Homes Site Manager Wins Local Building Excellence Award

Hills Homes Local Building Award

A Hills Homes site manager has scooped the award for ‘Best Residential Site Manager’ at the Swindon Local Building Excellence Awards 2023.

Michael Kord beat off local competition to secure the coveted award, thanks to his excellent critical thinking skills and building expertise.

Michael is the Site Manager at The Paddocks, Blunsdon, which is situated North of Swindon. The stylish new development boasts an array of beautiful spacious homes, each with high quality modern fittings.

Collecting his award at a ceremony in Swindon Michael said: “Having worked in site management for many years, it is an honour to be recognised for doing an excellent job. This award is also a testament to the high standards of workmanship and compliance involved by everyone who has worked on the development at Blunsdon.”

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “Congratulations to Michael for winning this award. Hills Homes have enjoyed a number of awards over the past year, this latest accolade is a welcome addition and a clear reflection of all the hard work and commitment the team has put in.”

Michael will now go through to the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Regional Building Excellence awards for the West of England region in the Spring.

Hills Homes scoops regional award for Whitelands housing development

Hills LABC Award Whitelands Tetbury

Hills Homes has scooped the ‘Best high volume new housing development’ regional award for the West of England in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2022 for its Whitelands development.

Hills’ Whitelands housing development in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, will now go forward to the National Finals against 11 other regional finalists, being held in London on 27 January 2023.

Whitelands is situated in the desirable Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the 39 traditionally built houses, presented in seven different styles, were constructed using a mixture of materials including natural Cotswold stone, taking inspiration from and being sympathetic to the surroundings.

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this West of England award, and are really looking forward to the finals next year. Our team worked tirelessly to showcase the best of our abilities and this development is testament to their commitment and the quality of the build.”

Hills Homes has established a strong reputation for building high quality homes on carefully selected sites. From bespoke country homes on the edge of sought after villages to major urban developments, Hills brings individuals quality to each of their developments.

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

First homeowner moves into The Paddocks, Blunsdon

First homeowner at The Paddocks Blunsdon

Hills Homes’ Sales Coordinator, Linda Cahill and Assistant Site Manager, Darren Cawkwell were pleased to welcome the first homeowner to complete a house purchase at The Paddocks in Blunsdon.

Moving into the lovely Kington home, Mrs P. commented that she loved her garden and that it will be great for the grandchildren to play in!

There are still a few plots available at The Paddocks, with more 2, 3 and 4 bed properties being released soon. See more details here.

The Paddocks, Blunsdon is a stylish development for young professionals, couples and families, set in an attractive village.

Hills Homes has established a strong reputation for building high quality homes on carefully selected sites. From bespoke country homes on the edge of sought after villages to major urban developments, Hills brings individuals quality to each of their developments.

Find out how you can secure your new home by arranging a viewing.

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.

New show home and sales office opens at Hills Homes’ development in Blunsdon

Hills Homes The Paddocks

New show home opens at The Paddock, Blunsdon

Award-winning developer Hills Homes has opened a new show home and sales office at its latest development, The Paddocks, with a very successful weekend seeing over half of its houses reserved.

Last weekend saw the launch of the second phase of The Paddocks development. Four of seven houses released for sale were reserved during the first two days. The new show home enables visitors to view the fine quality of the houses that are being built by Hills.

The sought-after development consists of attractive two, three and four bedroom homes which are built to a high specification and perfect for first time buyers, couples and families. The Paddocks comes after the award-winning success of Hills Homes’ Hillside development which was completed in 2019.

The Paddocks is located on the rural edge of Blunsdon – a charming and historic village located between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: The Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs.

A previous winner of the CPRE Wiltshire Best Kept Village competition and a shortlisted finalist for the same competition last year, Blunsdon is a popular village with a thriving community and a variety of local amenities including a community-run shop, a village hall, a doctor’s surgery, an excellent choice of schools in the area, plus a recreation ground for sports clubs.

What the Sales Team had to say…

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “Very pleasingly buyers have recognised that The Paddocks provides beautiful homes, with high quality fittings and features in each room and especially in the kitchens, bathrooms and en-suites.

“There are five different house styles to choose from, with a mix of traditional red brickwork, stone and render with complementary detailing, all designed to reflect the character of the development’s surroundings. The success of our off-plan launch in July which has seen all 10 plots released in phase one either now reserved or exchanged has been followed with the opening of our show home and on-site sales office with a further four plots snapped up on phase two during the release weekend.”

Nick continued: “Our previous development, Hillside, in Blunsdon won the Best New Large Housing Development award from Swindon Borough Council in 2020 and was shortlisted for a West of England LABC Building Excellence Award in the same year. Both awards recognise excellence in internal home layouts and a development’s planning, external appearance and landscaping, which Hills Homes endeavours to provide at all its property developments.”

Danielle Wedmore, New Homes Sales Manager at Richard James Estate Agents, said: “Our show home launch was a huge success; over 50% of our seven plots released were reserved.  We already have a growing interest for our phase three launch which will see the release of The Grafton, a popular two bedroom home, coming soon.” 

Danielle continued: “The Paddocks consists of only 54 properties and many visitors have noted how open and green the development feels upon arrival, along with the fantastic workmanship and quality of finish provided by Hills Homes.”

If you have any queries relating to this, please contact our Communications Team at comms@hills-group.co.uk.