New sustainable community completed in Bookham

A New Community for Surrey

Thakeham celebrates the completion of a sustainable new community in Surrey.

On Tuesday 8th September, Cllr Mary Huggins (Chairman of Mole Valley) officially marked the completion of The Martingales, Bookham by Billingshurst-based Thakeham Group.

The celebration officially unveiled 121m of newly-installed hedgerows (longer than a football pitch); a 1675 m2 wildflower meadow (equivalent to over 6.5 tennis courts) and  885m2 of marsh grassland (as much as three tennis courts).

Thakeham is no stranger to sustainable development having publicly committed to ensuring at least 20% net gain in biodiversity on all its housing developments by 2025.

Net gain in biodiversity is a simple public commitment to leave the natural environment measurably better than before building began. That’s why The Martingales boasts more than 100 retained trees, birdboxes, Woodcrete bat boxes, hedgehog houses and highways in fences (to allow hedgehogs to pass through).

Sustainability Reaches New Levels

Rob Boughton, Chief Executive Officer at Thakeham Group, said: “Each time we build, we focus on integrating nature with the communities we serve. But The Martingales takes our sustainability mission to new levels. We hope that the way we have blended so many ideas here will inspire planners and show other communities in the South East exactly what is possible.

“We are especially grateful for our partners in this project including Mole District Council and Mount Green Housing Association who both shared and supported our sustainable vision for the community.”

With sustainability in mind, each of the 25 homes off Lower Road in the community will enjoy smaller bills thanks to a reduced carbon footprint. All the energy-efficient homes are powered by 100% renewable energy.

Affordable Homes for Mole Valley

The whole development was designed and built by Thakeham with a bespoke courtyard theme following the original footprint of the traditional farmstead. The new homes, 40% of which are affordable, include the main farmhouse, farm cottages, stable block and a barn to reflect the agricultural feel and tradition of the site.

Cllr Mary Huggins, Chairman of Mole Valley District Council who officially marked the opening, said: “It was a pleasure to officially open the new homes at The Martingales in Bookham. It’s great to see quality homes, including affordable homes, delivered for local people across Mole Valley.”

Bill Flood, Chief Executive of Mount Green Housing Association said “Mount Green are delighted to be a partner in delivering these much needed affordable homes in Mole Valley for local people who need subsidised housing to rent and shared ownership homes to part buy. It’s been a highly successful venture with Thakeham Homes and Mole Valley District Council that has produced high quality homes that sit beautifully in the local area, respecting the location and nature of the area.”

For more information about The Martingales visit: https://thakeham-homes.com/the-martingales-bookham-new-homes