Gardens
The gardens at Avenel are simply stunning and can only be fully appreciated upon visiting. They are the product of one man's enthusiasm and passion for plants. Wallace Forrester acquired the estate in 1962 and began a programme of planting specimen trees and shrubs which now give year round delight - from the luxuriant flowers of rhododendrons and azaleas in spring to the rich green of Scots pine, Douglas fir and holly in winter. In May, the woodland is carpeted with bluebells.
Wallace Forrester died in 2001 and his family realised that development of the site, possibly on an intensive basis, could be a consequence of its sale. To preserve the structure and elegance of the garden in which they and his grandchildren had the privilege to grow up, they decided to engage a professional team and undertake the development themselves. Their father's inspiration and now his legacy will be the new Avenel.
The estate has been divided into generously-sized plots from just over half an acre to in excess of one acre. Each house has been very carefully positioned to ensure extensive screening by trees and natural contours from its neighbours. Southern and westerly exposures maximise the light and sun flooding into each house. Plot 1 occupies the site of the original Avenel and retains the vast majority of the mature trees and shrubs together with the lilly pond.
Access to each house on the Avenel Estate will be from Knockbuckle Lane, which serves only the Avenel homes and four existing properties. This can be seen clearly on the site plan, found on the home page. All owners will have full and exclusive ownership of the house and land contained within the boundaries of their plot. Gryffe Wood and certain internal access roadways within the estate will be in the common ownership of all of the new Avenel homes.
It is a guiding principle of the Forrester family's approach to the development of Avenel that the quality of the original estate should be preserved and endure for the lasting enjoyment of all its new owners.
On buying their new home, owners will become bound by a Deed of Conditions which will control for the benefit of all owners the management and future development of the estate. Under the terms of the Deed of Conditions, each owner will become a member of the Avenel Estate Owners' Association. The constitution of the Association is based upon the highly-successful Swiss model for managing similar communities.
The Owners' Association will employ and supervise a factor to carry out the maintenance of common areas of the estate and manage the day-to-day affairs of the Association. The Association will also provide the forum for taking decisions affecting the common parts of the estate, for overseeing owners' obligations and for permitting future variations to the management and structure of the estate should owners wish it.