THE Lakes by yoo property development near Lechlade displayed its vision of the future at a public exhibition last month.

The development, which specialises in eco-friendly holiday homes, began life during a phone call between friends, John Hitchcox and Philip Duncan, and after purchasing the 650 acre plot they put in planning permission for 160 homes and 100 hotel apartments in 1996, with work beginning in 2006.

Since then a number of property’s have sprung up around several of the lakes on the site and during the past year, the team behind Lakes by yoo have struck a deal with Hanson, which exact gravel and sand at the site, for a cessation of work within the next two years and the handing of the site to the developers.

Following this agreement, planning permission will be submitted to Cotswold County Council to re-position and reduce the number of the properties on the site, with work continuing towards the conservation of the surrounding environment.

The new planning application, which covers the part of the site that includes the Hanson quarrying works, will see the total number of units within that area reduce from 141 to 88. These will be spread across a wider area, with improved designs, ecological enhancements and landscape improvements, as well as a reduction in the size of the hotel.

One of the biggest benefits to the local community will be the reduction of HGV movements on surrounding roads, with currently 200 movements in and out of the Hanson site a day.

Lakes by yoo also displayed plans to increase the amount of public access to the site through the opening of more footpaths around the site and by the River Coln.

At the moment 9km of footpaths are accessible and under the new proposals that would be increased to 12km.

Conservation plans were also highlighted at the exhibition, with the creation of ponds and micro-habitats, as well as a new lake on the current Hanson site which will benefit the local wildlife and ecology.

The new lake would contribute to the Lakes by yoo flood management scheme, which sees water from higher ground slowed down as it moves through each lake before reaching the River Coln, lowering the risk of flooding downstream.

Lakes by yoo has partnerships with 130 local businesses and contributed £2.3million to the local economy in the past year.

Lizzie Morris from 7a Coffee Shop, in Fairford, said: We have many friends who run businesses who also have a good relationship with The Lakes by yoo and it’s great to know that residents are frequenting many local businesses and using local services whilst in the area.

With the use of green technology and partnerships with top designers including Kelly Hoppen, Jade Jagger and most recently Kate Moss, properties at the site make a strong impression.

Among the owners is Holby City actress Tina Hobley, who is currently competing on the latest series of Channel 4’s The Jump.

For this next phase in the development, Lakes by yoo visionary John Hitchcox states that the focus is on “the reintegration of our community with the local community.

“Lakes by yoo is a second home environment and because people are buying property with us, it is not having a negative impact on the local property market, meaning local people are still able to buy houses in the villages and build a community.

“Yet the development does support the local economy making it a win, win situation for both parties.”