The demand for "greener pastures" among housebuyers seeking a healthier lifestyle is on the rise, and some developers have been quick to capitalise on this.

Take Hijauan Heights Sdn Bhd (HHSB), which is transforming 1,000 acres of land in Pedas, Negri Sembilan, into a unique lifestyle proposition of bungalows within a gated-and-guarded orchard haven.

Offering the similar "orchard plot" concept that has proven successful in projects such as Planters Haven in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, and Botanica.CT in Penang � which proffer low-density farmstead living on agricultural land � the development called Hijauan Heights will take the idea a step further by including a host of outdoor activity facilities, a clubhouse and round-the-clock security.

Outdoor activities, said HHSB, would include paragliding, fishing, boating and camping. These will be over and above a sizeable private orchard in every backyard and the lifestyle facilities that will be available at the clubhouse.

Being developed together with landowner Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and landscape company IDHIndahHijau (M) Sdn Bhd, HHSB plans to complete the first phase of the development by May next year.

According to HHSB director Nor Azmi Talib, the RM72 million first phase will comprise 129 bungalows offering four bedrooms and average built-up space of 2,000sq ft. Buyers will also appreciate the fact that all the bungalows, with six designs to choose from, will be fully furnished.

Plots are sold at a minimum of one acre and at prices between RM750,000 and RM900,000 depending on land size.

"Since the soft launch on Aug 2, we've managed to sell 51 units," he said, adding that the clubhouse will also be completed as part of the first phase.

Despite the sluggish market conditions, Nor Azmi is confident the project will do well based on its "novel concept and unique lifestyle proposition".

He said it differentiates itself by not using a large parcel of land to build thousands of houses; instead it offers open greenery where residents can enjoy the great outdoors, fruits from the orchard and a sense of security within a gated precinct.

Nor Azmi said HHSB is also selective about the fruit trees to be planted � such as guava, rambutan, mango and longan � so that residents won't have to wait for fruit seasons to come around.

The development of Hijauan Heights began some three years ago, but was only launched recently because HHSB took time to subdivide the large land parcel into individual lots.

With that completed, it is now proceeding with plans to unveil other components in four phases. In total, the project will offer 591 bungalow lots with construction scheduled to be completed by 2013.

Hijauan Height's location, just off the Pedas/Linggi exit of the North-South Highway, puts it 20 minutes from the Negri Sembilan capital of Seremban and an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur.