We won’t plant anything in the pond as it is better to allow wild animal and plant life to colonise it naturally. We will also spruce up the compost area in the corner of the hay meadow to minimise the impact on enjoying the hay meadow in the summer. We will also be coming round all plots for a spring blitz to tidy up the shrub and tree growth, spruce up the lawns, check on the aquatic plantings, and have it ready for this season’s growth. There is a new fig tree in the pot by the Spa terrace looking towards Clearwater Lake. We hope this year there will be plenty of warm days to light the barbecue in the Orchard play area.

Planning
Solariums: There are four applications filed for solariums on the southern side of Longdoles, four on the southern margin of Huntsman’s and one for the northern margin of Warren’s Cross.

Organic farm: The farmland will host an exciting new project to create about 25 acres of wildflower hay meadow, having taken the land out of intensive agricultural use from the previous tenant farmer. This is a wonderful step towards reversing the loss of wildflower meadows across the country. We hope this will increase the amount of beneficial insects and bird life and set a good example to land managers and owners to give land back to nature, when it is all too easily taken away.

The eastern field behind Bowmoor (opposite the back gate) will be allowed to revert largely to a wet willow habitat as a nesting area for song birds. We are also planting a one-acre garden in the farmland to grow our favourite herbs and veg and this will have some space for residents to become involved. The ground has been ploughed and will be levelled in a few weeks when it’s dry. For this first year, we will have a crop grown for us by a nurseryman offsite, for planting in April or May, so by June there should be a nice selection available. We also plan to buy a Lakes’ vintage tractor to help us with our work on the farm.

The Farm: We are resubmitting our plans for the redevelopment of the old farm buildings near Bowmoor Sailing Club. The plans will include a family-friendly restaurant, a media room and beautifully-designed family cottages for sale with lake views.

House planting: Ben and his team are planting some box topiary spheres and cones with some trailing plants from the porch roof of the Dockhouse. If you would like to know more about this planting please contact Ben on bpollard@colnlakes.com

Construction Compound: The construction compound is undergoing an extensive reduction in size to create a large open green area for your enjoyment. Presently it looks like a muddy field but once the sun shines the grass should start to grow. There is a small stream within this area which is currently fenced off. We plan to remove the fencing in the next few weeks. The road outside the construction compound will soon be repaired.

Bowmoor Lake: The last section of Bowmoor – Phase 4B – is now being released for sale. The road has been opened and plots will be made available for sale.

Pontoons: Repairs are being carried out on all pontoons damaged by the recent rise in lake water levels due to flooding. Our flooding defences worked well and the pontoons were the only damage suffered.

Bird hide: We are installing a wood-burning stove in the birdhide so that it will always be warm – whatever the weather

Yoga retreat: The Lakes is holding its first yoga retreat from April 14. This three-day retreat will include Nordic walking, spa treatments and yoga all within the peaceful surroundings of The Lakes. To find out more about this retreat and future retreats we are planning please email concierge@colnlakes.com.

Spring opening: Spring has arrived at The Lakes. Rowing boats and canoes are now available on the meadow beach. There are new games in the fishing hut, new cricket batting nets and all new equipment in the children’s meadow area.

Easter: On Saturday (March 30) there will be Easter crafts, face painting and cake decorating at the Orchard Spa from 10am-1pm. At 1pm, the Easter Bunny arrives with an egg hunt for the little ones. All weekend there will be an Easter treasure hunt around the estate for the older children and families.

Complementary Spa classes: Our complementary classes at the Orchard Spa continue to grow in popularity. Please join us. The classes are: Personal training, Saturday 10-11am; Kids only classes, Saturday 11am-noon; Yoga, Sunday 10am-11.30am. Do join our yoga teachers – Nickie, Deborah and Sara – and our personal trainer Jake at the Orchard Spa.

Kids’ Summer Camp: The Kids’ Summer Camp will be held August 5-9 from 9am-5pm each day. There will be plenty of activities and instructors throughout the week and prize giving will be held on the weekend of August 9-10. If you would like more information or book spaces for the camp please contact Sam on Concierge@colnlakes.com

Sonos reception: The Lakes hosted a champagne and canapes event in the Orchard Spa to launch the new Sonos Playbar, which allows you to play music wirelessly from your smart phone and be a speaker for your TV. If this is of any interest to you feel free to contact concierge@colnlakes.com for more details.

Copyright (C) 2012 The Lakes by yoo, all rights reserved

Estate General		Ecology
Zip wire: Good news about the manned over-lake zip wire. It will be fully operational by April 1, 2013. There are new EU health and safety regulations in place which will mean we plan to completely rebuild the zip wire. Apple Day: We squeezed more than 20 litres of organic apple juice and we hope to do even more next year. View more pictures on our blog,www.thelakesbyyoo.com/news Organic veg plots: One acre of land, between Bowmoor Lake and the River Coln, is being prepared to grow organic vegetables. Everything from potatoes to salads and radish wiIl be planted and residents will be able to enjoy organic veg boxes. We will also have our own Lakes tractor. More details to follow. Rent-out restrictions: The new rent-out restrictions will come into effect on December 1. Paying guests will have access to the Orchard Spa from 2pm-5pm, seven days a week. Inductions must be carried out during these times. The cost will be £125 for induction per house rental. New walkway link: The Lakes has worked with Hanson to develop a new section of pathway. This means residents can walk from the Lakes to Whelford Pools. We are putting together a map which we will be providing to all residents. Trim trail: We are developing a 3km trim trail in the area of land between Bowmoor Lake and the river. Along the route it will include various stations such as bench-press and press-ups (see example picture above). River hut: Exciting plans for 2013 include our new river hut on stilts located near the River Coln. Further details to follow. Compound removal: Work is due to start on December 1 to remove and re-instate land near the compound. The green hoarding will be removed, concrete hardstanding taken up and the warehouse demolished. The verges will be landscaped, pot holes repaired and planting. Lakes Closures: Please note the following closures for the lakes. November 17-30: Huntsman November 24-December 7: Warren’s Cross, Bowmoor (Phase 2 & 3) December 1-14: Longdoles, Bowmoor (Phase 4 & 4A) Jan 13-26: Longdoles, Huntsman Jan 20-Feb 2: Bowmoor (Phase 2&3) Jan 27-Feb10: Bowmoor (Phase 4&4A)		Ben’s monthly update: “The Apple Day was a fun occasion with parents and children helping take turns in crushing and pressing the fruit into lovely fresh juice. An impromptu midweek crushing of the remaining apples was very well attended too. “We are very busy with tree and shrub planting now. We will also soon be continuing with thinning some of the woodland blocks around the hay meadow to let the light in, encourage understorey growth and improve the structural diversity of these 15 to 20 year old plantings. “The aim is to develop them gradually into a healthy woodland ecosystem. The wintering wildfowl are now here in considerable numbers, so kindly remember not to feed any of the wild water birds. If you own a rental property can you kindly remind rental guests about this? We want the wild birds to remain wild! Feeding the songbirds is okay though. “Autumn is well and truly here, although it doesn’t quite feel wintry yet … most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and the wintering wildfowl are here in good numbers, especially on Warren’s Cross Lake. Keep an eye out for Bittern and Great Northern Diver, two large rarities that often appear at The Lakes about now. Goldfinch flocks may be seen ranging the lake shores soon.” Further updates from Ben will be included in the monthly Express and in the weekly residents’ email. Ben also writes regularly on the blog on www.thelakesbyyoo.com
Concierge		Events
Concierge manager Sam and the team are delighted to offer you a range of services to make your time at the Lakes more enjoyable. Whether it is organising a children’s Christmas party or a having some “me-time” in the spa, the concierge team would be delighted to help. Please contact Sam and his team on 07921 025470 or concierge@colnlakes.com		Christmas Feast, December 22: The Lakes’ elves will turn the Orchard Spa clubhouse into Santa’s grotto. The special activities start at 1pm with a Christmas feast for all residents. There will be local organic game, English wines and homemade Christmas pudding and mince pies. Father Christmas and his reindeer will visit the Orchard Spa clubhouse from 2pm-6pm. He will hand out presents to children aged from three-eight years old. The following complimentary classes are for owners and their guests (who are staying with them in their homes): Yoga: Join us for complimentary yoga classes every Sunday from 10am-11.30am in the spa. Aqua aerobics: Join us for complimentary aqua aerobics on alternate Saturdays (November 24, December 8 and December 22), from 9.30am-10.30am. Boxercise: Join us for complimentary boxercise every Sunday: 10am-11am adults, 11am-noon, children, aged eight plus.

Copyright (C) 2012 The Lakes by yoo, all rights reserved

Eggs: Enjoy your complimentary eggs from our very own Lakes’ chickens. Please ask any member of our team about how you can get your own eggs to try.

Building work: Several houses with solariums have been sold on Longdoles. On Huntsman, work has started on 2.17 with work soon starting on four further plots. We will do our best to keep the disturbance to a minimum.

Lake levels: All the lakes vary in depth throughout the year, depending on rainfall and evaporation from solar radiation. This summer the levels have been unseasonably high following one of the wettest years on record. Bowmoor, Huntsman and Warren’s Cross Lakes are 30 to 40cm higher than their normal summer levels.

Weekend work: As a rule, we do not carry out work at the weekend. Sometimes, when needs must, we may need to carry out quiet tasks but aim to keep disturbance to a minimum. Please do let us know if any work we carry out disturbs your peace.

Lakes Closures: Please note the following closures for the lakes. All boats must be off the water during these periods.

November 17-30: Huntsman
November 24-December 7: Warren’s Cross, Bowmoor (Phase 2 & 3)
December 1-14: Longdoles, Bowmoor (Phase 4 & 4A)
Jan 13-26: Longdoles, Huntsman
Jan 20-Feb 2: Bowmoor (Phase 2&3)
Jan 27-Feb10: Bowmoor (Phase 4&4A)

The Farm: Plans are ongoing for our exciting development of The Farm near Bowmoor Sailing Club. It will include a cafe, restaurant, farm shop and holiday cottages for sale. Further details to follow.

Sunset Bench: We are building a sunset bench to the south of the bird hide pond so residents can enjoy the spectacular sunset views.

Welcome: Welcome to Barbara, Bob, Camilla, Jerry, Rinku, Auday, Victoria, Michael Frank, Henry, Raj and their families to the Lakes. Raj, who is buying the home designed by Philippe Starck, says of the Lakes: “We first found out about The Lakes in the summer of last year quite accidentally when scouring the internet for properties in London. I had never heard about Yoo, but knew a little about Philippe Starck and his iconic designer reputation. When we saw the wood and glass lake houses we were bowled over by the aesthetics of the designs, and particularly the beauty of the Lakes. Within wonderful proximity of the Cotswolds and only a couple of hours from London, we thought it would make a perfect base for family living. So much so, that we decided to build our own unique and chic family home.”

Land by the River Coln: We will soon start developing farmland for harvesting of organic vegetables and honey. Residents can choose their crop and Ben will be there to keep an eye on your produce all year round.

What next? Miniature pigs? What do you think? Your comments are welcome. Please let us know.

Residents’ meeting: You are welcome to attend a residents’ meeting at the sales office on Saturday 3rd Nov at 10am.

Cotswold Games
Olympic sailing champion Pippa Wilson hosted the Cotswold Games at the Lakes.

More than 150 guests and residents enjoyed a day of games and hospitality. Instructors were on hand as people tried archery, laser clay shooting and sailing on Bowmoor Lake before enjoying lunch at the Dock House.

“It’s beautiful out there on the lake (Bowmoor) with all the houses,” said Pippa. “It’s great to be here. Bowmoor is the perfect size lake for learning to sail. It is a nice size and not too restricted so that you can have a proper sail.”

Pippa was one of the “three blondes in a boat” to win gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

One of the guests described the Lakes as a “super zen like countryside experience”.

Lakes dinner
Twenty Lakes guests enjoyed a special evening at Sub-Zero in London. The event was hosted by the Lakes and Wolf, which provides outstanding kitchens.

Michelin star chef, Galton Blackiston, cooked a stunning meal for the party. Galton has been an ambassador of Wolf for the past eight years, using Wolf products in his home and his hotel restaurant.

To find out more about Friends of Sub-Zero & Wolf page, please log on tohttp://www.westye.co.uk/friendsof.aspx

We hope you enjoyed our Apple Day at the Orchard Spa. The varieties we have grown include Holstein, Gravenstein, Granny Smith, Fuji and Golden Delicious. Look out for our own Lakes pressed apple juice.

Upcoming events
Every Saturday, 6pm, Fishing Hut: Join Mikey for our weekly barbecue and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.

Every Saturday, 10am at the Orchard Spa is complimentary boxercise. Please join us.

October 27, 10am, at the Orchard Spa is complimentary yoga. Please join us.

October 27, Halloween: Enjoy a day of events. Halloween crafts and pumpkin carving from noon; trick or treating, 5pm; spooky show with entertainer at the fishing hut, 6.30pm; walkabout ghost stories, 7.30pm; toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate at the fishing hut, 8.30pm.

November 3, Bonfire Night. Further details to follow

The Lakes will commence in January 2012 with nutritional, health, holistic, therapeutic and meditation retreats. More details to follow

Don’t miss
Ecology talk: Ben Pollard will give a talk on Saturday November 24 at 11am at the Orchard spa. He will discuss his ecological work here at the Lakes and around the world.

Spa maintenance: The Orchard Spa will be closed for three days during the week of January 21 for essential maintenance.

Spa towels: We hope you are enjoying your personalised spa towels and flipflops. If you have not received your free set please contact our concierge manager Sam Bigwood.

Sam Bigwood joins the Lakes team as concierge manager. Sam, who has worked as a butler for stately homes and in hotels, lives in Fairford with his wife and young family. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will do his utmost to meet your needs and wishes.

To find out more about our concierge services on offer, please contact Sam on 07921 025470 or concierge@colnlakes.com

Lots of newly built plots are starting to be landscaped, with the planting season having started again. The large amount of rainfall has done wonders for the shrubs and trees around the estate with a lot of growth put on this year. The reeds planted around houses are now starting to mature which helps to soften the landscape and help the buildings merge into the natural habitat. Herbs can still be harvested from the herb garden although many have now gone-over. Help yourself to fruit from the orchard. Our rare orchids have produced copious seed, some of which has gone to Kew Gardens’ micropropagation laboratory to assist with conserving this rare species in the UK.

Decisions:
2.15: Layout and design, application approved
2.18: amendments to include solarium, application approved
2.04: Layout and design, application approved

Applications filed with Cotswolds District Council:

2.1, Woodland barns (4), 2.19, 2.18, Relocation of fishing hut from Longdoles to Clean Water Lagoon, 2.08, 2.17, 4.08, 3.26, 2.20, 3.04-3.10 (change from Yoo4 to solariums)

Pending:
The Farm country park

Our Mailing Address:
The Lakes by yoo
Coln Park, Claydon Pike,
Lechlade Glos, Eng GL7 3DT
United Kingdom

Contact Us:
Tel: 01367 250 066
Email Us

Did you know Apples originated in Kazakstan? Ben Pollard welcomed Residents to the first annual Apple Day at the Orchard Spa.

Over 1000 (including Holstein, Gravenstein, Granny Smith, Fuji and Golden Delicious) were collected from the Orchard and Ben demonstrated the traditional method of creating apple juice using the Lakes very own Press.

‘’Too tasty for words’’ said 2yr old Pippa.

Ben enthused residents with a brief history on Apple Harvesting and Pressing and in excess of 20 litres of Apple juice were made and eagerly consumed.

Submitted for Planning is for a substitute of unit type on Plot 4.11 and amendments to the consented layout on Plot 4.10 of the Coln Park development site.

Unit W11 Application Information Summary