The charming East Hertfordshire village of Watton-at-Stone has welcomed a collection of new two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes, with prices starting from £480,000.

Members of the local Parish Council, Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and Fairview came together last week to officially launch the development with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Chairman of the Parish Council, Nicola White, said: “This occasion marks many years of hard work by a group of volunteers from the village who made up the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and Fairview New Homes to deliver 60 fantastic new homes to Watton-at-Stone.

“The Steering Group and Fairview have been passionate about bringing a development that genuinely benefitted the local community, and this launch is a celebration of that achievement.

“We look forward to welcoming the new residents that will call Wattons home.”

The main road that runs through the development, Emma Waltham Way, has been named after the late Emma Waltham, the former Chairman of the Parish Council.

Nicola White added: “Emma led the Steering Group with real passion and was integral in bringing what’s been delivered to fruition. It’s a great honour to see that her legacy has been realised through this development and I’m proud that everyone involved has been able to deliver these homes to her high expectations.”

Wattons brings 36 much-needed, high quality homes for private sale and 24 for affordable housing to the borough, and a range of benefits to the local environment and community, including:

·        New pathways and cycle paths A new circular path around the village, greatly increasingly accessibility

·        Unlocking access to green space

·        Ecological improvements to encourage wildlife

·        A new footbridge over the River Beane that acts as a key link for the new circular path

·        £175,000 towards youth facilities and education

·        £270,000 towards transport and local services

·        £147,000 towards community facilities, parks and amenity spaces

·        £132,000 towards health and emergency services

·        £320,000 towards sports clubs and facilities

The Watton-at-Stone Neighbourhood Plan was designated by East Hertfordshire Council to oversee the allocation of two strategic housing sites, each accommodating around 60 new homes - one of which is Fairview’s new development on Walkern Road.

Clive Bell has been a resident of Watton-at-Stone since 1989 and was a part of the Steering Group that was instrumental in the planning and delivery of the Neighbourhood Plan.

Clive Bell said: “It felt important that a Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group was formed to ensure the development would not only meet the needs of the local community but also provide benefits for the village.

“We initially selected 20 sites but after a lot of analysis narrowed the search down to two sites, Walkern Road and High Street. One of the 'must have' benefits for the village that the Walkern Road development site provided was the bridge over the River Beane, which will along with the path through the proposed High Street development, create a circular walk around the entire village.

“The location of the development was strategic in that it also allowed the Walkern Road speed limit within the Village to be reduced from 40 to 30 mph, which provides highway safety benefits."

Development Director at Fairview New Homes, Mark Jackson, said: “Working with the local community to ensure this development benefits the existing residents of Watton-at-Stone has been ongoing for around six years, so it’s a real pleasure to see it finally come to fruition.

“We are very thankful to the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group for their continued collaboration, and the invaluable local insight and knowledge - this is a development that will benefit everyone in the village and not just those who purchase a home at Wattons.

“That said, the sales team have already seen a large majority of enquiries come from those living in the village, which is an indication of the demand for good quality new homes in the village and wider borough.”

Anyone interested in the homes at Wattons can get in touch to book an appointment via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01920 560 093.

A Commutable Haven

Set within the idyllic village and tight-knit community of Watton-at-Stone, Wattons by Fairview combines rural tranquility with easy access to everyday amenities, making the development perfect for families and downsizers looking for a peaceful retreat away from of city life, whilst remaining in touching distance of the capital.

With beautiful views of the countryside, Wattons is the perfect place for nature lovers and dog owners with an abundance of green space, riverbanks and woodland, such as the Jubilee Community Woods, within easy reach.

The development is only a 16-minute walk or three-minute drive away from Watton-at-Stone station, where direct services to Finsbury Park (43 minutes), Highbury & Islington (52 minutes) and Moorgate (58-minutes) are available.

The design of the homes at Wattons are in keeping with the existing village aesthetic, with classic redbrick exteriors, stone roof tiling and split-bar windows, whilst the interiors of the homes are modern, bright and spacious.

The living areas are thoughtfully designed to be open, spacious and perfect for hosting family and friends. Modern and sleek kitchen and dining areas with fully integrated appliances create a stylish and open hub, whilst en-suite bathrooms in every home ensure all members of the family have the privacy and space they need.

Each home has its own spacious back garden, perfect for keen gardeners, children’s activities, pet owners and those who love hosting friends and families in the summer. The development also has its own landscaped green spaces and play areas for residents and children to enjoy.

Homeowners at Wattons also benefit from at least two parking spaces – a mixture of secure garage, driveway and designated on-street – as well as EV charging points and secure bicycle storage.

The development is within the catchment area for several local schools for children aged 2-13. These schools are easily accessible: Watton-at-Stone Primary & Nursery (rated “Good” by Ofsted) is only a 15-minute walk or two-minute drive away from the development. Heath Mount Prep School is just a 5-minute drive.

For those with properties to sell, Fairview’s FairMove scheme is available - once a buyer has chosen their home at Wattons, Fairview will organise three independent valuations and help set a realistic price for the buyer’s current home, before instructing an estate agent to start advertising the home. Once the property is sold, Fairview will take care of all the agent fees.