Whilst never having undertaken a development of any size, without any grant assistance, Ladykirk Estates undertook a development of 22 houses plus 4 affordable dwellings adjacent to the village of Swinton in Berwickshire. The development provides high quality housing, including a high proportion of bungalows, set in very generous plots with an emphasis placed on landscaping and the future benefit to wildlife. The houses are all energy efficient with Air Source Heat Pumps supported by a large number of solar panels. Within the development, boundary space has been allocated for future use by the whole community of Swinton.
Significant time was invested into making the development at Swinton one of a high standard which will leave a legacy for Ladykirk and its community. From establishing the name of the development, 'Everly Meadow' (its origin from the village name of Swinton which derives from Swine Town, as historically wild boars used to roam around the area of Swinton. The meaning of the name Everly is “from the Boar Meadow”. The origin of the name Everly is Old English, from Saxon roots meaning “boar + field” hence the name Everly Meadow), to the environmental standard of the new homes and encouragement of nature, it is important to leave a sustainable project upon its conclusion.
Phase 1 of Everly Meadow has been completed. The development is low density with an average of approximately 4 dwellings per acre. Much care has been taken to ensure that the generous gardens have southerly aspects with ample fenestration to maximize natural daylight and solar gain. Given the low density, there was a conscious decision to buck the current trend of “designing for streets and placemaking” and to have houses set back from the access road and sit in and behind landscaping.
When specifying the landscaping, native species were used to enhance the hedgerows, oaks were planted to supplement the aging oak avenue on the adjacent Coldstream Road and general planting was specified which would thrive in the prevailing heavy ground conditions. By reinforcing and enhancing hedgerows, it is hoped that wildlife will be encouraged to the development. The purchasers of the houses were also provided with a “nature pack” to encourage wildlife, which included bird feeders, bird house, bird seed, bee hotel, wildflower seed mix and hedgehog highway signage. The new homes are also very energy efficient, the heat source for each property is an Air Source Heat Pump which is supplemented by solar panels.