Finchale Abbey Eco Village

Official Opening Day

Tuesday 13th June 2006

Although the park has been developing and our first residents moved onto the park over a year ago we have been waiting for the completion of phase two of the development to hold an official opening event.

The day was a great success with visitors from across the country including Professor David Bellamy who gave the park and the Extrudawood product that is being used on the park a big thumbs up from an environmental point of view.

mam bellamy eric geoff

From Left to right Eric Welsh, Professor David Bellamy, Ann Watson and Geoff House (Extrudawood)

We were honored to welcome the Mayor of Durham Councilor Jeff Lodge, the Chest-le-street Council Leader Ralf Harrison and their partners as well as other officials and representatives from the council.

Bellam, Ann Mayors

From Left to right  Professor David Bellamy, Ann Watson, Ralf Harrison and Jeff Lodge.

All visitors were impressed with the development and Professor David Bellamy was delighted to view all of the environmentally friendly features that were being incorporated into the design of the park. The photograph above shows Professor Bellamy admiring the environmentally friendly sewerage system (below ground) and reed bed which is visible from the terrace of the show home and is proving to be a draw for local wildlife. A representative from Hutchinson Drainage who installed the aeration filter sewerage system was on hand to answer any questions.

Geoff, Simon and David House From Extrudawood came all of the way from the Isle of Man to promote their product and to highlight the green nature and range of uses. Bill Stephenson regional sales manager, for Extrudawood Martin, Sharon and Marcus were also key figures at the event.

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Martin & Sharon part of the Extrudawood team showing a range of products produced from Extrudawood.

Brian Donnelly, Steve (Moxy) and Chris were present representing Metcalfe’s and Ken Davies was representing Calor Gas.

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Ken Davies (Calor Gas) Moxy and Chris from Metcalfe’s.

 bellamy talking

There were many photo opportunities for members of the press as guests were shown around our two state of the art show homes.

Members of the press were present including Steve Grey from Park Home Magazine and Tyne Tees television who interviewed Mr. and Mrs. Storey for the local evening news.

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Eric and Ann (owners) enjoying the day.

residents

Michael & Chris Storey, Allan Sibley and Gillian and Norman Wood.

Some of our current park home owners who were enjoying the day. Our residents were more than happy to open up their doors to allow visitors and press to view the homes. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our current residents as they proved a great help on the day and as always are our best advert for park home living.

The open day was followed by an evening barbeque which is an annual event for all residents on the park and a fantastic time was had by all.

The following information was handed out on the open day to give information on the park. We feel that this is important information so is included here for your attention.

 

 

bhhpa Finchale Abbey Eco Village  SC%204sml

 DURHAM, DH1 5SH.

 

Finchale Abbey is a family run caravan park that has been with the current owners since 1951. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh bought the park and built it up from small beginnings. When they retired in 1994 they handed over a thriving business to two of their children, Eric and Ann. With changing times and a higher level of expectation from the clients of the park, Eric and Ann set about to develop the park into an Eco Village and bring it into the twenty-first century to ensure that it flourishes for future generations.

 

river

 

Finchale Abbey is ideally situated for visiting all of Co Durham's highlights, being less than an hour’s drive from sea, dales, moor land, towns and cities; the historic city of Durham is only a few miles away and Newcastle and the Metro Centre are within an easy drive.  A major shopping area with Sainsbury’s and other large superstores is just a few minutes drive away, there is a small shop on the park selling the essentials and doctors surgeries and dentists are in close proximity. A golf course, driving range and bar are just a ten-minute leisurely stroll away and the village itself has some beautiful walks.

 

          Set in the heart of the beautiful County Durham countryside, the village lies within a meander of the River Wear and overlooks the ruins of a 12th Century Benedictine Priory. The peace and tranquility encourages visitors from all over the world to return time and again and is currently in the process of transforming into one of the North East’s premier residential developments for retired and semi-retired couples and singles.

 

             The Eco Village is set within six acres of beautiful countryside and will feature 52 park homes constructed to a high standard with exterior made of granulated polystyrene called Extrudawood, which is actually a by-product of the petrochemical industry. Decking around the homes is also constructed of the Extrudawood material. The sewerage system used is an eco-friendly high performance aerated filter system, which incorporated a reed bed and is chemical free. All homes are serviced with underground-tanked LPG gas, mains electricity, water and sewerage. Parking is available beside the homes for one or two cars with additional parking available in a communal area. 

The village has been developed as sympathetically as possible in line with the local environment; the open plan fully landscaped village has sweeping roads and planted areas to create a village lifestyle and a strong community spirit for the residents. The village has been split into three distinct areas ‘St Godric’s Walk,’ ‘St Cuthbert’s View’ and ‘St Bede’s Close.’

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Before the development of Finchale Abbey

overview6

The Eco Village

 

The park is BH&HPA approved and lodges provide all of the comforts of home with double-glazing, central heating, fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms with carpets, curtains and all furnishings included in the price. All homes are custom made to residents’ specifications although show homes are available to view and buy. Homes range in size from 42’ x 20’ to 50’ x 20’ and prices start in the region of £110,000 but exact price will depend upon individual choices.

         

          Lodge owners have the benefits and security of tenure afforded by the Mobile Homes Act 1983’. Rent is therefore payable at a rate of £174 per calendar month (fixed until 2010).

The rent includes:-

24 hour security including card access barrier

water rates

street lighting

gas/electricity (belowground) maintenance including meter

maintenance of sewerage systems

maintenance of roads

Landscaping and grass cutting

 

          Gas and electricity will be metered with meters being read at an agreed interval and charges will be payable to the park shop. There is no standing charge for meters. Park home owners will be liable to pay council tax and we have been advised that the park homes will classed as Band A.  (Approx £850 for 2005.)

 

          Should you wish to sell your park home we reserve the right to sell your home for you. Your family may take over your park home provided that they meet the aforementioned criteria.

 

          When the time comes, my brother and I will be passing the business on to our families, but hopefully not for a long time!

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Extrudawood, The Mayor Jeffrey Lodge and David Bellamy for their support with this project.

 

Eric and Ann

Eric Welsh and Ann Watson (Partners)

Back to development page.

For more information on the Park, our new development and availability of residential plots
please call Ann on 0191 3866528 or E-mail:
godricawatson@hotmail.com