Updated March 2025
Personal statement from the owners of the former David Webster Lighting site and neighbouring land:
“Following the death of our father, David Webster in 2006 we, Tom Webster and Nikki Thompson, took over the business and site at Netherfield Lane. Knowing that David Webster himself had visions of sensitively developing the site, we made the decision to create a sympathetic housing development not only to add to and enhance the village of Stanstead Abbotts, but also as a legacy to him.
David Webster was a generous, compassionate and visionary man and through these traits not only became successful in business, but was also able to pursue his passion for conservation. Realising the need to preserve and conserve habitats not only for wildlife but also for people to enjoy in the future, he set up a Charitable Trust to support both local and national projects.
Locally he supported the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust with their Amwell Wetland Nature Reserve project and Rye Meads Nature Reserve project.
Some of the key organisations he supported were Birdlife International, the National Trust, RSPB and the Woodland Trust. We, his successors, continue to run this trust and are equally passionate about conservation projects.
The most recent significant current project and something close to David Webster’s heart, is the creation of woodland. The Trust has been able to assist the Woodland Trust to purchase 90 acres of land in Bedfordshire where 40,000 trees have been planted thus creating a significant extension to an existing ancient woodland. As personal projects, the family have planted a further 7,000 trees on land just north of Ware and 1,500 in Norfolk.
David Webster was concerned at the loss of habitat through over farming and urban styled dense rural housing development but was realistic in his understanding that new houses were needed. We know that he would have wanted the development on the brown field site and neighbouring land in Netherfield Lane to be as natural and environmentally sensitive as possible with plenty of trees and open green spaces so that nature can continue to thrive and give pleasure to its residents.
We look forward to seeing the site at Netherfield Lane becoming a reality and a lasting legacy to David Webster’s vision of sensitive rural village development.”
Tom Webster & Nikki Thompson