Enjoy great outdoors
WITH this year’s sporting events either postponed or under threat, perhaps it’s time to transition from armchair enthusiast to real-life athlete. City slicker new-build apartment blocks often include gyms or even swimming pools but now there’s a growing trend for outdoor facilities on developments aimed at families and downsizers, too.
At Hayes Village, on the site of the former Nestlé factory in Middlesex, Barratt London is building more than 1,300 homes over the next seven years beside the Grand Union Canal and residents will be able to use a previously inaccessible section of the water.
A new 300-metre canal frontage will include a canoe club store and pontoon specially built for them.The 30-acre site will also have more than seven acres of new public parks and squares, a 200-metre outdoor running track and other outdoor exercise facilities, plus a residents’ indoor gym and cycle storage.
The first of the studio, one, two and three-bed apartments should be ready this summer, with prices ranging from £288,000 to £511,000 (03300 575549; barratthomes. co.uk). Help To Buy is available.
Elements of the factory’s art deco heritage is being retained at Hayes Village, which is expected to be completed in 2025, including the original entrance, staircase and southern facade of the main building. Historic factory machinery will also be integrated into the design.
The major regeneration site is less than 10 minutes from Hayes & Harlington railway station on the Crossrail line, which will have services to central London, the City and CanaryWharf when it opens later this year.
It is expected that this and other regeneration projects in Hayes will improve the choice of shops, bars and restaurants in the town, which is currently one of the less expensive places to buy on the Crossrail route.
MEANWHILE at Woodberry Down, another major London regeneration project, residents have access to a sailing lake that offers kayaking, canoeing and sailing courses for adults and children.
The water sports centre is onWest Reservoir next to East Reservoir’s Woodberry wetlands, which has a boardwalk and café.The 64-acre site also has 15 acres of parkland and a river walk.
“Woodberry Down doesn’t just provide its residents with amenities and facilities to stay active; the whole community can enjoy the extensive public realm across the scheme and the leisure and wellbeing opportunities it brings,” says Brian McKenzie, operations director of Berkeley Homes (North East London).
“In the 10 years since the regeneration of the Woodberry Down estate began, we have delivered around seven acres of parkland to sit alongside the existing 42 acres of open water for the community to enjoy.
“The landscaped footpaths that line the reservoirs are ideal for walkers and runners looking for a tranquil space to get active just moments from the hubbub of Hackney.”
The latest phase of Wood berry Down development is The Westacre, a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom townhouses. Onebedroom apartments at Willowbrook House start from £560,000 (020 3944 7729; woodberry-down.co.uk) and have use of a swimming pool, gym and concierge service.
Woodberry Down is semi-rural with a mix of shops and cafes, yet is on the doorstep of Hackney’s contemporary art hub.
But it’s got a way to go before it’s finished: “When Woodberry Down is completed in 2035,” says McKenzie, “it will have delivered over 15 acres of public parkland.”