A globe-trotting finance manager has settled back in West Oxfordshire, seven miles away from his childhood home, choosing to make his first step onto the property ladder at Hayfield Green in the historic village of Stanton Harcourt.
27-year-old Ben Cook used the Government’s Help-to-Buy scheme – while he still could – to purchase a three-bedroom detached Warmington home at housebuilder Hayfield’s redevelopment of the former RAF Stanton Harcourt WWII Airfield. With changes to the Help-to-Buy scheme coming into force, there is only a limited time for those who would like to take advantage of the Government-funded scheme to secure their preferred new home before time runs out.
Mr Cook said: “I have lived in Belgium, Japan and London, but wanted to put down roots and buy my first home, so took the opportunity to move back to West Oxfordshire, as my family and friends are close by.
“I wasn’t sure what type of home I was looking for and was dissuaded by the quality of another development a few miles away, but Hayfield Green totally turned my head. Before I first visited, I thought it would be like any other new build, but it wasn’t. As soon as you enter the development, the aesthetics are so pleasing and the history is impressive. When I took a closer look at the quality of the new houses, I knew it was the perfect blank canvas for me to call home. Being able to use the Help-to-Buy scheme was beneficial as it assisted with affordability.
“I had plans to run 12 marathons in 12 countries across the world this year, but Covid-19 has put a stop to that! Instead, I’ve been running 40-50 miles per week. It’s great being able to leave my home and immediately access such fantastic scenery.”
Prices at Hayfield Green range from £330,000 to £725,000 with a wide range of newly released two, three and four-bedroom homes available. Hayfield’s new discount schemes for Key Workers and Armed Forces personnel have proved very popular since the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown. The Government’s Forces Help to Buy initiative is also available to help Armed Forces Personnel raise deposit funds, while Part-Exchange or the regular Help-to-Buy initiative are offered to all eligible buyers – until the scheme rules change in April 2021.
The 21-acre Hayfield Green site is notable for having been a departure point for Winston Churchill for the pivotal Casablanca Conference. It was also a starting point for a bomber raid on the German battleship Scharnhorst.
The restoration of the air raid and blast shelters, Guard House and original Water Tower were part of the first phase of the development, which is now complete. Hayfield is currently in the process of sensitively refurbishing the Bomber Training Building and Crew Lockers, as well as installing a heritage trail which will incorporate the airfield runway and immortalise the history for generations to come.
The collection of traditional brick, stone and render house designs at Hayfield Green feature Hayfield’s luxurious specification, including bespoke Manor kitchens, ROCA Laufen bathrooms, Minoli ceramic tiles, underfloor heating, heritage bronze ironmongery, Hammonds wardrobes and Farrow & Ball paint.
Just beyond the boundary of the 21-acre site, Stanton Harcourt Cricket Club and the award-winning Harcourt Arms pub and Harcourt Stores and delicatessen are focal points for village life. The picturesque village also benefits from a plethora of outstanding Grade I and Grade II Listed buildings and an Ofsted Outstanding-rated Primary School.
Hayfield Green is open daily from 10am – 5pm. The development is located off Main Road, Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, OX29 5RL. To book an appointment call 0800 048 4863 or email [email protected]
To follow Ben Cook’s marathon journey for the Alzheimer’s Society, visit his website: https://www.runningmancook.com/
More information on the development is available here: https://www.hayfieldhomes.co.uk/hayfield-green-oxfordshire.