Pictured above: Ian Parker of agents John Truslove, with Mike Hargreaves, managing director of Coltham Developments, and Malcolm Jones of KWB

An office development in rural Worcestershire, which has a special connection to The Archers, is now 65 per cent occupied after a string of recent deals.

Chestnut Court, Jill Lane, Sambourne, was completed two years ago on the site of what once was a working farm. Indeed, the former farmhouse and barns - now converted - are reputedly at the heart of BBC Radio 4's long running and much-loved series, currently celebrating its 60th anniversary.

The first episode was reputedly recorded there and, it is claimed, there is even a local farmer called Grundy - the Grundys being famous characters in the soap opera.

Built to a high specification, Chestnut Court, a Coltham Developments scheme, offers two-storey self-contained courtyard offices in a village location.

The offices are considered ideal for occupation by small and medium sized companies.

The complex got a big boost when KiddiVouchers, which currently supplies more than 5,000 employers with childcare vouchers, switched its headquarters there.

It took five units, totalling 7,875 sq ft of high quality space.

Previously at Inkberrow, the move enabled the company to stay located within the Worcestershire area.

Other new occupiers include Scaramanga Design, Nortech, Innov8, Autogas, Offtek and Capita.

Units range from 1,575 sq ft up to 7,875 sq ft for owner occupation or as a buy-to-let investment. Occupiers are also offered the opportunity to 'try before you buy', renting first and buying later.

Junction 3 of the M42 is within a ten minute drive of the premises.

Ian Parker, a partner with Redditch-based John Truslove, joint agents, said: "It is a wonderful site and a real opportunity for small and medium sized firms to get on the ladder, either owning or letting.

"We were always confident it would go well. We now have just seven units left - they are being taken up fast."

Malcolm Jones, of Birmingham-based KWB, the other joint agents, said: "Despite all the economic difficulties, 2010 was an excellent year for Chestnut Court, with a string of new arrivals.

"We continue to get good levels of interest and we are speaking to a number of parties."

Mike Hargreaves, managing director of Birmingham-based Coltham Developments, said: "It offers lovely premises, plenty of fresh air and a quiet, green environment yet with easy connection to the motorway network. It is a gem.

"The occupants love it. We are very pleased with the results to date. People like our flexibility - we will sell or rent and deal short term and long term."

The site is five miles south of Redditch and four and a half miles north of Alcester.

Coltham Developments is headed up by Mr Hargreaves and co-director Andy Ruhan.

During the last three years it has completed projects with a value in excess of £100 million, creating more than 1,500,000 sq ft of floorspace. The vast majority of schemes are undertaken exclusively by Coltham Developments and financed from internal resources.