The Lakes newsVol 5 Autumn 2013

We unveiled plans for a stunning woodland home designed by Philippe Starck for which we have now had planning approval. We also have planning approval for four woodland barns with the first one being completed next year.

The Farm project will transform a derelict farm into lakeside holiday cottages and include a farm shop, a cafe and a visitor centre. Work is due to begin in 2014.

The next 12 months will be a time of great expansion for The Lakes. As well as seeing the commencement of The Farm project and the first woodland barn, we will also

create the ‘Midway’, a new lakeside property with its own private pool and breath-taking views of Bowmoor Lake.

On the estate 2014 will see the expansion of our organic farm with the introduction of stabling and horse riding, more chickens, a fantastic tree house and a climbing wall.

“We continue to support this outstanding and unique development and are delighted to see all the progress over recent years. We remain very positive and optimistic about the future,” says Anton Bilton.

Welcome to the Autumn edition of The Lakes news

We have had another fantastic year with the launch of our organic farm and a record sales year.

There are 62 homes completed on the estate with five currently under construction. Our £3 million Orchard Spa goes from strength to strength.

The Lakes news

2 Autumn 2013

Lakeside House - freedom to relaxThe Lakes is proud to unveil its latest home, The Lakeside House, created specifically for Bowmoor Lake with its own private pool.

Designed by HWO Architects it is a stunning five-six bedroom home with 5,000-6,000sq ft that feels big thanks to the 180 degree glazed openings.

Nicolas Khalili, Managing Director of HWO Architects, says The Lakeside House is designed around The Lakes’ original vision of Space, Nature, Peace and Freedom.

The energy-saving house has uninterrupted views of Bowmoor Lake to the north and private woodlands to the south and east.

“It is a totally private environment, not overlooked, where doors can slide away and interiors merge with outside spaces,” says Nicolas. “The house is designed around a flexible living concept, the rooms are not totally open plan so each family member can use the house in a different way.”

The open stairs and first floor gallery are reminiscent of great American and Australian beach houses. The Lakeside House is designed for entertaining and for enjoying the great outdoors.

Every room is designed to receive maximum daylight and sunlight. The rooftop terrace has panoramic views of Bowmoor and the woodland. It is a great place for watching sunsets and relaxing with friends by the open wood fire.

The pool is designed with family-friendly shallow steps along the sun deck and ends with an infinity edge hanging over the lake shore so it looks like pool and lake merge.

Enjoy panoramic views The Yoo4 Terrace is a new design created to make the most of the Cotswolds’ stunning scenery.

With a rooftop terrace, owners enjoy panoramic views of the lakes and countryside in this four-bedroom property.

The 2777 sq ft property includes an open plan living room, dining area and kitchen and 1000 sq ft roof terrace. Each room enjoys maximum daylight.

Created by the yoo design team, the yoo4 terrace offers the perfect weekend retreat to share with friends and family.

Strength to strength Sales of lakeside homes continue to be strong as The Lakes bucks the trend. Demand remains high and the new Orchard Spa has proven popular with new buyers.

To find out more about plots, plans and prices please contact Julie or Maria on 01367 250066.

Copyright HWO Architects

Copyright HWO Architects

Autumn 2013 3

The Lakes news

Enjoying the good life The Cotswolds is renowned as a foodie heaven and now The Lakes has started its own organic vegetable plot.

Estate ecologist Ben Pollard and his team are harvesting the first crops of lettuce, runner beans and French beans. The produce is available free of charge for Lakes’ residents to enjoy.

The one acre plot, is between Bowmoor Lake and the River Coln. We will have our Lakes’ tractor to manage the plot.

The vegetable seedlings were grown by The Butterfly Garden, which supports people of all ages with learning difficulties or disabilities. The project uses gardens to provide education, therapy

and recreation.

During the summer the Lakes’ team has harvested tomatoes, marrows, potatoes and cabbages.

Planting will be extended with fruit bushes, such as currants and raspberries, and a wider range of common and not-so-common vegetables.

“Our aim is to be producing something year around on our plot from salad greens in the spring to winter cabbage. It is great to know we can move a little bit closer towards self-sufficiency,” says Ben.

It is packed with a wide range of herbs including rosemary, oregano, parsley, tarragon and mint.

The garden also provides an important environment for pollinating insects and bugs.

Ecologist Ben Pollard, who designed the garden, will create a map to help residents identify the plants and understand their culinary uses.

Our hens are uber-chic(k)Our hens have the best positioned coop in Britain. Nestled in the woods near the meadow they overlook Warren’s Cross lake and their home is made of recycled wood offcuts from our designer lakeside lodges.

We have Sussex hens and Cream Legbars which provide fresh eggs for our residents. We hope to incubate some eggs and hatch our own Lakes brood.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thymeThe Lakes’ herb garden provides residents with fresh flavourings year round.

The Lakes news

4 Autumn 2013

Coordinated by Janinka Diverio of Cotswold Party Services, the week comprised a science fun-shop, a film making day, plenty of sports and games, eco-crafts, den-building, clay play and story-telling to name a few of the highlights.

About 25 children, aged from six to 12, took part. The week concluded with a world premier of Yoo Only Spy Once which was the result of a ‘film in a day challenge’.

“We barely saw adults all week and in this Swallows and Amazons type idyll, the children all entered into each day and activity with equal enthusiasm and good will. It was a joy to see the friendships grow and fears overcome,” said Janika.

We love Summer Camp Summer Camp was a great hit with the children with activity-packed days of fun.

LEArn TO SAiL

Enjoy the lakes by learning to sail at Bowmoor Sailing Club which is on The Lakes estate.

It is a family friendly club which offers a wide range of facilities. It has a year round racing programme together with one of the largest Youth Fleets in the country.

To find out more please phone 01793 765074 or email commodore@bowmoor.co.uk

YOur OWn POnTOOn

Residents can have their own pontoons as part of their home at The Lakes. Please contact our estates team to find out more.

On THE gALLOP

The Lakes is planning to build stabling and have horses in 2014. In the short term the estates team is looking at providing horses at the weekends so residents can enjoy riding on our quiet roads and paths. If you are interested please contact concierge@colnlakes.com

MEET SAM

Meet Sam Bigwood, our concierge manager. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will do his utmost to meet your needs and wishes.

Sam was former head butler for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Chatsworth and worked as a butler

in prestigious hotels.

He lives in Fairford with his wife and young family.

To find out more about our concierge services on offer please contact Sam on 07921 025470 or concierge@colnlakes.com

JOin uS fOr drinkS

Join us every Saturday at the fishing hut at 6pm for drinks. You are always welcome to enjoy a glass or two and sample some of our daily catch or local sausages, compliments of The Lakes.

Autumn 2013 5

The Lakes news

London felt cramped after Sydney so they were looking for a weekend place to give them some outdoor space.

After four months of house hunting, it took a chance meeting on a train in Switzerland for them to learn about the Lakes by yoo. Tara Palmer-Tomkinson who had visited the Lakes, suggested they take a look and made a connection for them through a friend.

Following a visit by Rod and Mary, and a weekend stay by Mary and Imogen, the family were sold on the development and negotiated to buy the house designed and decorated by Jade Jagger.

It was three years ago, August 2010 when they completed the purchase, and the Hare family have been enjoying their weekend retreat ever since.

“The Lakes is a special place,” says Mary, “It really has enhanced our lifestyle, balancing our busy London lives. Rod has got into running and uses the gym, he has even joined the Sunday yoga class. For Imogen, she gets to enjoy all the facilities and has been ‘adopted’ into many of the families at the Lakes.”

The Lakes has grown significantly since they moved in with many new houses and families moving in. “We love the cultural diversity at the Lakes” says Rod. “It really makes for interesting conversation around the dining table.”

For Imogen the Lakes has brought some unexpected surprises. She expected to enjoy swimming, cycling and football at the Lakes, but she has also taken up boxing and is being trained each Saturday at the Orchard Spa.

“The sports are great and I enjoy

them, but I also enjoy seeing all the other kids at the Lakes grow up,” says Imogen. “It is sort of like having a lot of family that you catch up with on weekends.”

Now 13, Imogen is one of the babysitters at the Lakes (with a little backup from Mum and Dad), and even offers French language tutoring.

“In three years we have seen the Lakes in all seasons: frozen in winter, in drought in summer, floods in spring and storms in autumn. Each year the development has changed and grown. We have really enjoyed it and I can’t imagine life in London without having a house at The Lakes,” says Rod.

Mary, a keen cook adds: “I love entertaining here. There’s a variety of good food shops within close range, and in addition we have a garden of vegetables and herbs to harvest. We’ve had some great parties, and often have house guests at the weekend. Our London friends really enjoy visiting the estate.”

“The Lakes is almost perfect,” says Rod. “They just have to train the trout to take my flies. Three years and not one fish.”

The Lakes has enhanced our lifestyle Mary, rod and their daughter imogen Hare were living in London again after the best part of the previous decade spent in Australia.

The Lakes news

6 Autumn 2013

What they’re saying about us“I love the Cotswolds and unwinding with friends at The Lakes. The peace and tranquillity here is a great escape,’’ Kevin Spacey

“This is a place where everything can be organised for you, including a homemade fish pie and a nice chilled riesling, when you arrive on a Friday night. Who couldn’t get used to that?” Country & Town House, September 2013

The Lakes news

Autumn 2013 7

HAnnAH iS HErE TO HELPHannah Emms has joined the concierge team as front of house staff. She greets visitors at the gates and helps residents with any queries. Before Hannah joined The Lakes she worked as an event co-ordinator at a hotel. She can help arrange deliveries and collections and answer your queries.

APPLE HArvESTThe Lakes is preparing for our second annual Apple Day on October 19 when we harvest our wonderful orchard at the Orchard Spa.

Our orchard includes apples, pears and plums. During Apple Day residents can learn more about the varieties of fruit we grow, take some home to try and help with the apple pressing to make juice.

WELCOME nEW OWnErSWe would like to welcome the following new owners to The Lakes in 2013: David and Joanna and boys; Mark, Emma and family; Barbara and family; Angie, Dean and family; Angie and Harrison; Jo, Jon and family; Auday and family; Frances and Alisdair; the Raj family, Caroline and Robert, Ajit and Alliya and children and Choi and family.

Mind YOur SPEEdPlease remember that there is a 5mph speed limit throughout The Lakes. As with everything we do here, child safety is paramount to us.

COTSWOLd gAMES rETurnThe Lakes’ second Cotswold Games will be staged on September 7. Activities will include a sailing regatta, laser clay shooting, archery and a lunch.

It follows last year’s successful Games which was attended by more than 150 selected guests and their families.

The day was hosted by Olympic sailing champion Pippa Wilson, who won gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

CLAY PigEOn SHOOTingThe Lakes is considering setting up laser clay pigeon shooting in the upper field. Residents who are interested in the sport are asked to get in touch with the Lakes team on concierge@colnlakes.com

LAkES’ ELMS HELP SAvE THrEATEnEd SPECiESAn old tree at The Lakes is parenting a new generation of saplings to help re-populate the UK with elms.

Dutch elm disease killed more than 25 million elms in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s, and still remains a serious threat today.

In 2010, four smooth-leaved (also called small-leaved) elm trees (Ulmus minor subspecies minor) were discovered on two islands at The Lakes. There are fewer than 100 smooth-leaved elms clinging on in the whole of Britain.

The four trees, now known as the Coln Park elms, were discovered by Lakes ecologist Benedict Pollard, with the largest being more than 100 years old.

The Conservation Foundation has successfully grown saplings from the oldest of these trees, which will be distributed to schools, community groups and private landowners as part of their Great British Elm Experiment.

The charity only takes cuttings from mature trees that appear to have resisted Dutch elm disease.

“The Dock House’s large larch-cladexterior, punctuated with floor to ceiling windows, give you a jaw-dropping vista of the majestic waterscape,” Harper’s Bazaar May 2013

“Whether you want to mountain bike, canoe, or just lay back and be pampered to within an inch of your life, it’s a world away from the City - but just 90 minutes in the car,” Square Mile July 2013

8 Autumn 2013

The Lakes news

The Lakes has launched its own ‘yoo Retreats’ in collaboration with the doyenne of wellbeing, Denise Leicester, founder of luxury skincare range and spa brand ILA.

Denise has designed the retreats to be in harmony with the seasons, to allow people the opportunity to realign themselves with nature and thus be in tune with themselves.

The exclusive retreats, which are available for up to eight guests, are based in two Lakeside lodges. For Denise, The Lakes offers the ideal venue for a retreat with its excellent facilities, and its tranquil and natural environment and sense of isolation.

“It is rare to find such a luxurious location where you can feel at ease. The Lakes ticks every box as a special purposeful place for a retreat,” she says.

“Many of us numb ourselves in our everyday life. We live in a world that is constantly filled and so we lose ourselves. Here at The Lakes nature is very present and people can reconnect with it more quickly and if you are aligned with nature and the seasons then you are more in rhythm with yourself.”

Guests enjoy Nordic walking around the estate but yoga forms

the cornerstone of the retreat. Experience four different types from yoga Asana, practised sitting down, to yoga Nidra, known as “yoga sleep”. All the yoga classes are held in the tranquility of the bird hide with stunning views of Bowmoor Lake.

All the food is organic and local and prepared to nourish the guests in every sense. There are also spa treatments, using ILA products, which take place in the peace and quiet of the houses.

Denise, who runs yoga retreats around the world says she has never found such an ideal venue in the UK as The Lakes.

“It’s essential in our busy lives to take time out. I see people leave the retreats in a different place. By taking a bit of time to be nurtured and nourished you reconnect with yourself. What I hope is that each person will take one thing from this retreat and put it into their life.”

The next retreat is September 26. The retreats run from Sunday evening through to Wednesday morning with prices from £1,400 per person. For more information please contact 01367 250066.

In search of inner harmonyimagine four days of peace and quiet - a chance to step away from the hurly burly of life and to rediscover your inner harmony.

retreat reviews By Wednesday, I felt completely restored. The Lakes is an amazing venue. Best of all it proves that you can have a great time with like-minded people, without a drop of alcohol.” London Evening Standard, June 2013

“This is a retreat to escape family, social or work pressures. The combination of yoga, chanting, walking, eating well and rest releases emotional toxins and, I felt, truly helped to restore my vitality. I not only felt re-energised

but recalibrated. Most importantly, I found it a place to reconnect my body and mind in a way that is hard to do in my frantic life.”Spa Junkie, FT, How to Spend It

“Slap bang in the heart of the Cotswold countryside is The Lakes by yoo and its newly-launched yoo retreats - eight seasonally themed retreats where a holistic approach to finding your centre of inner harmony is your only focus.”Harper’s Bizarre Arabia

Autumn 2013 9

The Lakes news

Enjoy a lazy trip across the waters of Bowmoor Lake with our new boat.

Lakestock, a fantastic day of music and activities for the family will be staged in the summer of 2014.

This year, on September 28, we will host an End of Summer Pool Party at the Orchard Spa.

More than 200 guests will enjoy a day of music, good food and entertainment designed for the entire family.

Sharky & George will lead a host of activities for the children while Westbourne Circus will provide live music.

All aboard our new boat Moored at the bird hide, the boat is sturdy and has a battery operated motor. Or if you fancy a bit of exercise it is also equipped with oars. It’s ideal for fishing and can take up to six passengers.

Life vests, a battery charger and oars are all stored at the bird hide. The estate team will do their utmost to ensure the boat is in full working order at all times. If you come across anything that we may not be aware of please inform our team.

We’re building a tree house The Lakes is building its first tree house. Plans are underway and the tree house is due to be completed in early 2014. We hope it will be enjoyed by residents and guests and used for parties, play or simply relaxing and taking in the view.

Holiday living at The farm The Lakes has unveiled an exciting new development of The farm near Bowmoor Sailing Club.

This will include holiday cottages with lakeside views, a restaurant, a visitor centre and a farm shop.

The £2.1 million project would see the demolition of derelict farm buildings to create a year-round holiday destination.

Following extensive consultations with the local community, the plans are due to be filed with the district planning authority within the next month with the hope to start building in 2014.

Lakestock revival in 2014

Primary Schools Eco dayThe Lakes hosted an eco day for more than 120 local primary school children. Four schools - St Lawrence’s, Lechlade, Southrop Primary, Fairford Primary and Hatherop Primary - took part. The Lakes paid for portable loos and provided staff free of charge.

Youngsters made paper boats to sail on the lake, went pond dipping and made drawings of wildflowers and insects they found. Other activities included cycling, tennis, football and trying the zip wire across the water.

Nicola Morris, headteacher at St Lawrence’s, said the day was a huge success and they hope it can become an annual event.

“The children loved it. While we are all considered country schools, such access to the countryside and amenities are rare treats. Parents were able to drop off children and we didn’t have to worry about the cost of coach hire. And The Lakes is such a wonderful setting. We can’t thank the Lakes enough for their support,” Nicola commented.

gloucestershire Wildlife TrustDonation following the group’s support in protecting the ecology at The Lakes.

fairford Parish ChurchThe Lakes donated £500 to the bell ringers at St Mary the Virgin so they can replace worn ropes. The Lakes also donated a stay on the estate as a raffle prize.

“This support from The Lakes is an enormous help. It means our more elderly ringers can carry on ringing longer,” tower captain Peter Harris.

gloucestershire fungus groupDonation following the group’s support in protecting the ecology at The Lakes.

fairford & Lechlade navy CadetsSeveral girls and boys from TS Raleigh, which is the Fairford & Lechlade unit of the Navy Training Corps, trained at the Orchard Spa. Cadets must do a 25m swim followed by one-minute treading water and all while wearing clothing as part of their NTC

Swimming Certificate. The purpose of the training is to ensure that if the Cadets capsize in open water, they are able to stay afloat until helps arrives.

“All the Cadets had a wonderful time at The Lakes by yoo Orchard Spa and every one of them said they would like to come back as the facilities were so special,” Chris Roberts.

gloucestershire Moths groupDonation following the group’s support in protecting the ecology at The Lakes.

Southrop Clay ShootSponsorship for this event which raises money for Southrop Church, the village hall and the Jubilee Close Charitable Trust.

fairford feteDonated a spa visit to help the committee raise money for the fete.

Timmy Mason TrustDonated a stay at The Lakes to raise money for this local children’s charity.

fairford rainbowsThe children visited the Meadow at The Lakes to look at the wildlife.

fairford and Lechlade Business ClubSponsored one of the categories at the annual business awards and

donated a one-night stay for a fundraising auction.

Purple Heart Brain Tumour fundInvited a young woman suffering from cancer to enjoy a stay at The Lakes with her family.

farmor’s School, fairfordThe Lakes’ Head of Design Wasya Awori worked with student Becky Kavanagh whose A-level project was a lakeside eco-home complete with a three-dimensional model.

The Lakes also inspired other students who went on to design furniture based on the lakeside properties.

“Farmor’s is grateful to The Lakes for allowing our students so much exposure to their design and architecture. Becky has found the experience highly motivating and much of this is due to the access and time which have been afforded her by Wasya and The Lakes,” teacher Andy Rodgers.

St Lawrence’s Primary School, LechladeThe Lakes hosted an activities day for 25 special and vulnerable children including young Zoe Illingworth. Zoe, who has cerebral palsy, rode a bicycle for the first time during her Lakes visit.

10 Autumn 2013

The Lakes news

The Lakes - working with the community Every year The Lakes supports the community in countless ways. Here are just some of the good causes and organisations we have supported in the past year.

Autumn 2013 11

The Lakes news

Orchard Spa: what a great year The Orchard Spa has had a fantastic first year and is hugely popular with guests and residents at The Lakes.

The award-winning complex, which includes a 20-metre indoor pool, was opened last year. It includes treatment rooms, steam room and sauna and gym.

The Orchard spa treatments have proven popular with therapists offering a wide range of services during the weekends from massages and facials to manicures and waxing. The treatments are provided by InParlour Ltd, a high-end beauty service company.

The spa exclusively uses ILA beauty products. These are pure organic and created in the Cotswolds.

Josh Cox has joined as spa supervisor. He can answer your queries and arranges spa inductions. Josh is also a qualified personal trainer and is happy to provide training and create

bespoke gym programmes.

“Personal training sessions can make a great difference. Having someone who is going to keep you motivated and push you to be your best will make any fitness goals come on in leaps and bounds,” says Josh.

The Lakes introduced complimentary spa classes which continue to grow in popularity. These include personal training, boxercise, kids-only classes, yoga and aqua fit.

Residents and their guests received their own personal spa flipflops and towel to use at the Orchard Spa.

To find out more about the spa, to arrange a spa treatment or learn about personal training with Josh please email spa@colnlakes.com

1. Lift weights: The more muscle you have the better at burning fat your body becomes. Women should lift weights too.

2. interval Train: Short bursts of high intensity exercise will burn more fat and increase your metabolism quicker than slow steady state cardio.

3. diet: Eating the right food is a

major element in any fitness regime, more protein and animal fats, less carbohydrates like potatoes and pasta.

4. Challenge your body: Increase the weight or number of reps you do. In order for the body to change it needs to be challenged.

5. drink plenty of water: Room temperature is best.

Josh’s top tips for keeping fit

dates for your diaryThere’s always something happening at The Lakes. Here is a taste of what we have planned:Every Saturday, barbecue at the Fishing Hut. 6pm. Join us for a barbecue and a drink.

September 7 - Cotswold GamesSailing regatta, laser clay shooting, archery and a lunch.

September 28 - End of Summer Pool PartyFamily day with food and music at the Orchard Spa. Music from Westbourne Circus and a host of children’s activities organised by Sharky & George.

October 19 - Apple DayHarvest the apples from the Spa Orchard

and help with crushing and pressing the fruit into lovely fresh juice which is handed out around the estate.

October 26 - HalloweenCotswold Party Services and The Ghost of Mr Brown’s Pig will join us for crafts, pumpkin carving, face painting, storytelling and a spooky ghost walk. Daytime activities at The Orchard Spa from noon-5pm. Evening activities at The Fishing Hut from 6pm.

Noon: Make a mini ghost, a dangly gangly spider, a hanging bat and carve your own pumpkin.

2pm: Cupcake and biscuit decorating.

3pm: Crafts continue. Face painting and tattooing.

5pm: Activities at the Spa end to enable the

children to go Trick or Treating.

6pm: Gather at Fishing Hut for The Ghost of Mr Brown’s Pig – Ghostly family show with humour.

7.15pm: Spooky night walk around Huntsman Lake via the woodland walkway and the Long Cross Causeway.

8.45pm: Hot chocolate and marshmallows at the fishing hut.

november 2 - Bonfire Night Enjoy firework display, a huge bonfire, mulled wine and food and live music.

december 21 - Owners’ Christmas Party Father Christmas will hand out gifts to the children and there will be a huge buffet and live music at the Orchard Spa.

The Lakes news

12 Autumn 2013

Lakes News is published by The Lakes by yoo, Coln Park, Claydon Pike, near Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3DTTel: +44 (0)1367 250 066 Email: info@thelakesbyyoo.com Website: www.thelakesbyyoo.com

All information is correct at the time of printing and is the property of The Lakes by yoo Designed and written by Damselfly Communications

Taking care of the countrysideLakes ecologist Benedict Pollard writes about caring for and nurturing the Lakes estate

Our starting of food production on the estate is really a joyous thing. It is great to know we can move a little bit closer towards self-sufficiency, and develop a thriving, free ‘market garden’. This area down in the farmland by the bird hide will eventually cover one whole acre that has been fenced off, although for this, our first year, we are only cultivating a fraction of the land. Next year we are planning to increase the types of common veggies, introduce some more exotic ones and extend the crop diversity to include soft fruit like berries and currants.

The herb garden has continued to flourish, albeit a little wildly, but you should find many of the commoner herbs you enjoy. We also intend to plant up part of the veggie garden with herbs so we can regularly offer greater quantities of residents’ favourites. The rest of the northern farm fields should become a fully flourishing wildflower hay meadow within a year or two. This will be a real boon to butterflies, beetles, moths and many other nectar-loving insects.

The orchard at the Orchard Spa has done well this year and we aim to have an Apple Day on October 19 to continue where we left off last year, crushing and juicing our own harvest of crisp and tasty fruit.

One of the highlights of the year is news that cuttings taken from our recently discovered mature elm will help repopulate the UK with this beautiful, rare tree. I discovered the four smooth-leaved elms on islands in Bowmoor Lake in 2010. The Conservation Foundation has

successfully grown saplings from the oldest of these trees, which will be distributed to schools, community groups and private landowners as part of their Great British Elm Experiment. It’s wonderful that the cuttings have taken root, and we are all so proud that there are now saplings of the Coln Park elm being used to help reintroduce one of the greatest native trees back to the British countryside.

Our new ponds are doing just what they should. During the hot weather the area of water does shrink, leaving flatter, semi-dry areas of mud, often attracting a range of unusual and threatened invertebrates. These ponds are of great ecological value in that respect.

Plans to create a bat strategy are in-hand. Next year we intend to conduct evening bat walks with hand-held bat detectors to better understand which species are here, and where they prefer to roost and hunt.

Aesthetically, the estate has really matured with many of the earlier houses now sitting beautifully in the landscape, shores bulging with reeds, nestled amongst large trees that were only planted four or five years ago. I will be putting together a brochure with a series of ‘before and after’ shots, to illustrate the stunning transformation. It amazes me how every plot has its own unique feel and possibilities. I do value greatly being able to create such beauty here, and gain satisfaction in watching the landscape grow.

Search for: The Lakes by yoo