About us

McFarland Park & Leisure Homes continues to operate as a family run business having been originally established in the 1960’s by Basil and Adeline McFarland.

The business has grown over the past 40 years to include three residential retirement parks in Bedfordshire, and in 2005, McFarland Park Homes acquired an exclusive holiday lodges park in Modbury, Devon – The Thatches Holiday Village.

We take great care to ensure our residents live in high quality homes and enjoy a pleasant and peaceful environment.   All our homes are therefore built to British Standard BS3632 and benefit from the Gold Shield Ten Year Warranty, providing you with peace of mind and quality guarantees.

Our experienced team works closely with park home and lodge manufacturers to ensure your home is built to your specification and we are happy to assist you in all stages of the buying process.  We invest a great deal of time with you during your purchase offering advice on location, design of your home, choice of interiors, as well as providing information on the local area and amenities.

So whether you are looking to retire to a peaceful, rural location or simply to be nearer to family and friends; or if you are looking to buy a second home in the beautiful Devon countryside, McFarland Park & Leisure Homes can help you every step of the way.

FAQ’s - Residential Park Homes

What is included in the price of your home?

When you buy one of our park homes “off-plan”, the design, layout & room size can be completely tailored to your requirements.  The home will be fully furnished with loose and fitted furniture, as well as carpets and soft furnishings. 

The final cost will also include VAT, delivery of your home and securing it to the base, building the exterior skirting and steps.  All our new park homes will also be connected up to mains services including water, electricity, gas, drains & sewerage.

What are the additional costs?

A pitch fee is paid in monthly instalments.  Alternatively the pitch fee can be paid annually on 1st January; this would entitle the payee to a 5% discount.  The pitch fee contributes towards the park’s general running costs.  Additional costs include utility bills, water rates and sewerage.  However, with good insulation and double-glazing, energy costs are generally lower than a conventional home.  You also have to pay Council Tax, but since Park Homes are recognised as retirement homes for council tax purposes, they fall into band A.

How long does a park home last?

All Park Homes are built to British Standard BS3632 and are covered by a free Gold Shield Ten Year Warranty.  Our new park homes are designed to last for many decades, incorporating UPVC windows, double-glazing, and exterior rendering.  Furthermore pitched roofs have a 40-year weatherproof guarantee and with routine maintenance (e.g. exterior painting every 5 years) your Park Home will last for many more years.

Does a park home keep its value?

Values closely follow those of the conventional property market.  They can often increase in value in the same way as a well kept “bricks and mortar” home of similar size in the same part of the country.

How soon can I have one?

We currently have a show home, which is available for immediate occupancy.   If you are ordering a new home to be built to your specification, we work very closely with the manufacturer to deliver your home as efficiently as possible.  All newly built homes should be available within 6 months of purchase.

FAQ’s  - Holiday Lodges at The Thatches

Can I live here permanently?

Unlike some holiday villages, we are open 12 months of the year and you are welcome to holiday here at any time.  However, this is a second home development, and cannot be used as your main residence. 

What is your security of tenure?

80-year licence.

How large is the park?

The Thatches is set in over sixteen acres of landscaped gardens and mature woodland with stunning views out over rolling countryside and to Dartmoor beyond.

Is the park under construction?

No, the village was developed in 2002, when the original park was cleared, and a complete new infrastructure was laid - concrete bases, state-of-the-art bio friendly sewerage system, mains services, and underground cables.  The Leisure complex with indoor swimming pool, outdoor hot spa, fitness suite, and beauty room is complete and fully operational.  We are, of course, continuously improving the village for its residents.

Can I sub-let the lodge?

You are welcome to sublet your holiday lodge through The Thatches management.  We will advertise your lodge on our website and organise cleaning, bedding and changeovers.  In return, we charge a fee of 20% of all rental income.  Please contact us for more details.

Will my lodge be secure when I am not there?

Yes.  We have a private access controlled entrance and drive, CCTV coverage around the village, and each home is fitted with its own alarm.  In addition, The Thatches park manager lives on site.

What quality can we expect from the lodges?

All properties are double glazed, with LPG central heating, and are fully insulated to NPHC standards with a 10 year manufacturer’s guarantee.  The lodges come fully furnished, with all kitchen appliances having a 12-month warranty.  BT lines are already installed, and simply need to be connected.  All properties have smoke alarms, CO² detectors, and intruder alarms for peace of mind.  Door and window frames have a 5-year guarantee, the double-glazing has a 5-year guarantee, and the roof is guaranteed for 30 years.

Is council tax payable?  What about gas, electric and water?

The lodges are subject to rates (which are reviewed annually), currently £170 per annum.  Gas, electric and water is separately metered to each lodge on a quarterly basis.

What other costs are there?

An annual ground rent is payable on each property, which is £3119.09 + vat.  This charge allows us to maintain the park to the highest standards, and includes lawn mowing of the individual gardens, Sky/Freeview television package, the benefits of our security systems, sewerage charges, rubbish removal, and of course, use of all the leisure facilities at The Thatches.

How much does a lodge?

Our lodges start at £131,000 up to £250,000 and they range in size from 36’x 20’ up to 60’x 20’

How do we reserve a new lodge?

When purchasing any holiday lodge, a deposit of £2,000 (of which £1,000 is refundable) is required to secure the property.  If you purchase a show home, the remaining balance will be payable on completion (ideally we aim to complete within two weeks.)  If the purchase is a new build, we ask for a further 30% on confirmation of order and signing of licence agreement, followed by the balance one month before the estimated delivery date.

What finance options are available?

Loans of up to 15 years are available at The Thatches, and we can normally obtain up to 80% loan to value.  We are happy to provide details on request.

What happens if I want to eventually sell my property?

In the unlikely event that you wish to sell your lodge we will work with you to help sell your property.  A transfer fee of 10% is charged.  This transfer fee is not comparable with commission payments made to Estate Agents etc. rather, it reflects the fact that the plot and the amenities of the park add to the resale value of the lodge. 

When can we view the village and the show homes?

You are welcome to visit The Thatches during office hours.  To ensure someone is available to answer your questions and help you make the most of your visit, it is advisable to ring and make an appointment.  The office opening hours are as follows.
Monday – Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Sundays & Bank Holidays: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Contact us on 01548-830346 or email us at sales@thethatches.co.uk