Previous developments

The Hops, Hingham
NR9 4LS

The Hops was an Abel Homes development of 88 energy-efficient contemporary new homes in the picturesque Norfolk market town of Hingham, set off Norwich Road approximately 16 miles west of Norwich. Offering a choice of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, the development paired characterful, individually named house designs — each taking its name from a variety of hop flower — with the high energy efficiency specification for which Abel Homes is known across Norfolk.

The name itself was rooted in local history: in the 19th century the land belonged to Charles Crawshay, a brewer and partner in the Youngs, Crawshay and Youngs brewery, and it was in recognition of those origins that each house type was named after a variety of hop flower. In keeping with Abel Homes' tradition of commissioning a piece of Norfolk art for every site, The Hops also delivered generous public open space at its heart, giving the new community a natural focal point. Hingham itself is a handsome Georgian market town, with an attractive market place, independent shops, pubs and everyday services, schools and open countryside on the doorstep, yet within easy reach of Norwich, Wymondham and Attleborough by road. For buyers seeking energy-efficient family living with genuine character, The Hops offered the best of small-town Norfolk life.

Rokeles Green, Watton
IP25 6YW

Rokeles Green was a development of 45 energy-efficient new homes in Watton, Norfolk, offering a choice of two, three and four-bedroom houses designed for modern family living. Built to Abel Homes' high environmental standards, the homes paired comfortable, well-proportioned layouts with the warmth and lower running costs that energy-efficient construction delivers. Set within the established Watton community, Rokeles Green was well placed for everyday convenience, with a bus route and local amenities close at hand — an attractive choice for first-time buyers, growing families and those looking to downsize alike.

Watton itself is a thriving market town in the heart of Breckland, with a long high street of independent shops, supermarkets, cafés and everyday services, alongside schools, healthcare and recreation all within easy reach. Its central position offers straightforward road links across Norfolk, with Dereham, Thetford and Norwich each within comfortable reach, while the surrounding Brecks countryside and Thetford Forest provide miles of walking, cycling and open space on the doorstep. For buyers seeking a genuine sense of community in an affordable and well-connected corner of Norfolk, Watton offers the best of small-town life with the wider county close by.

Hare's Green, Watton Green
IP25 6RD

Hare's Green was a contemporary development of 98 energy-efficient new homes in Watton, Norfolk, set on a 12-acre site off Norwich Road on the edge of Watton Green. Offering a mix of two, three and four-bedroom family houses, the scheme was built by Abel Homes — a local firm based just a few hundred yards away in the town — and followed the success of its earlier hus46+ development nearby. Each home was designed for comfortable, low-cost living, with energy-efficient features including solar panels, air source heating and triple glazing that kept interiors warm and running costs down, making Hare's Green a popular choice for growing families putting down roots in Watton.

The development took both its name and its identity from local heritage. At its entrance stands a striking six-foot dancing hare, created by the Holkham Forge Partnership and chosen to echo Watton's own town sign, on which a hare leaps over a barrel — a nod to the old dialect 'wat' for hare and 'tun' for barrel. Set on a piece of public open space, the sculpture gave the new community a natural focal point, in keeping with Abel Homes' tradition of commissioning a piece of Norfolk art for each of its developments. With the market town's high street shops, schools and everyday services close at hand, and good road links to Dereham, Thetford and Norwich, Hare's Green offered energy-efficient family living in a well-connected and characterful corner of Norfolk.

Walnut Tree Fields, Mattishall
NR20 3NN

  Walnut Tree Fields was a development of 35 energy-efficient new homes in the heart of the Norfolk village of Mattishall, set off Cedar Rise, with many plots enjoying generous gardens and views across open countryside. Offering a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, every home achieved the top 'A' rating for energy efficiency, with photovoltaic solar panels, triple glazing, high levels of insulation and fibre-to-the-premises broadband. 

In keeping with Abel Homes' tradition of commissioning a piece of Norfolk art for every development, Walnut Tree Fields is marked by a giant York stone walnut, carved by Norfolk stonemason Teucer Wilson and set on a plinth complete with a carved pair of nutcrackers, unveiled beside a walnut tree planted by pupils from the village primary school — a fitting nod to the development's name. Mattishall itself is a lively village in the heart of Norfolk, known for its Georgian-influenced architecture and a genuine sense of community, with a recently improved village green and playground, local shops, schools and everyday amenities close at hand. With Norwich around 13 miles away, Dereham about five, and the University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital all within easy reach, Walnut Tree Fields offered energy-efficient village living that suited families and professionals alike.

Oak Meadow, Shipdham
IP25 7PA

Oak Meadow was a development of 43 energy-efficient new homes in the heart of Shipdham, one of the oldest villages in Norfolk, built between the High Street and Mill Road beside the parish church and surrounded by mature trees and greenery. Offering a choice of two, three and four-bedroom family houses, the homes were given traditional exterior designs in sympathy with the historic village, while inside they paired comfortable, contemporary layouts with a high energy-efficiency specification — triple glazing, solar photovoltaic panels and insulation levels well in excess of building regulation requirements. Launched in 2013, the site proved an immediate success, with homes selling from its opening weekend.

True to Abel Homes' tradition of commissioning a piece of Norfolk art for every development, Oak Meadow was marked by a hand-carved oak sign created by Norfolk woodcarver Carl Preston — fittingly his first professional commission, and a natural tribute to the development's name. Shipdham itself is a lively, well-served village midway between the market towns of Dereham and Watton, with infant and primary schools, a doctors' surgery, a post office and shops, traditional pubs, and a village green and recreation ground. With good road links across mid-Norfolk and into Norwich, Oak Meadow offered energy-efficient family living in an established and characterful village setting.

Hus22, Drayton
NR8 6FB

Hus22 was a development of 22 contemporary, highly sustainable new homes set within 20 acres of private woodland in the village of Drayton, just north-west of Norwich. Laid out in existing clearings in the wooded grounds of a former country house, the scheme offered three, four and five-bedroom houses in a setting unlike any conventional new-build estate — tree-lined, secluded and green. Designed by the London practice Conran & Partners in collaboration with architect Lucas Hickman Smith, the homes took their name from 'hus', the Scandinavian word for house, a nod to the clean, contemporary lines and the advanced thermal performance that defined them.

Hus22 marked a genuine turning point for Abel Homes. Launched in the depths of the recession, it proved that authentically contemporary, low-energy housing could sell, and sell fast, with the first phase of thirteen homes snapped up despite the economic climate. Every home was built to an exceptional energy efficiency standards for its day: heavily insulated timber frames, Velfac triple glazing, Kingspan solar-thermal hot water, Mitsubishi air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, mechanical heat recovery ventilation and wood-burning stoves. This was sustainability as the "new normal" rather than eco-bling, and the award-winning result became the blueprint for everything that followed — the design language, the energy-efficient specification and even the 'hus' branding were all carried forward into Abel Homes' later schemes, most directly the 101-home hus46+ in Watton.

The woodland remains one of the development's defining features, with homes enjoying private gated access to 20 acres of mature trees on their doorstep. Drayton itself sits between Hellesdon and Taverham on the A1067, with schools, a doctors' surgery, shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants close at hand and regular public transport into Norwich, while Marriott's Way and the Norwich Northern Distributor Road give easy access to open countryside and the North Norfolk coast. More than a decade on, Hus22 homes remain highly sought after and command strong resale values — a lasting endorsement of the quality, design and energy efficiency that made the development a milestone, not just for Abel Homes, but for contemporary housebuilding in Norfolk.

The Dairy, Old Catton
NR6 7BS

A development of 8 substantial family homes within a desired location just off St Faith's Road, Old Catton, 3 miles from Norwich City Centre.

Briar Gardens, Attleborough
NR17 2GY

A small development of 8 architect designed 3 and 4 bedroom houses in a market town location with excellent transport links.

Hannant's Piece, Castle Acre
PE32 2FG

A small development of just 5 homes within the popular and sought after Norfolk village of Castle Acre.

Crown House, Thetford
IP24 1AJ

An attractive development of fourteen 3 and 4 bedroom town houses and ten 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, situated close to Thetford town centre.

St Andrews Court, Mildenhall
IP28 7HB

A select development of 11, 2 & 3 bedroom homes offering quality new homes to first time buyers & investors.

The Pastures, Attleborough
NR17 2RG

A charming development of five traditionally styled 4 bedroom family homes close to the town centre.