] What I have found is a property developer who appears to have developed a "Netherfield House" Stansted Abbots, and here is a tantalisingly bad picture.

Well done, I did look through the mass of Netherfields on google but confess I gave up before finding this site. It is surely the same place as Stanstead Abbots is the nearest town. I had already noted the Netherfield Lane that Caroline mentions, and thought it was evidence of some antiquity. There is also a "Nether Hall" or remains of, with moat on the map - not far away so I suspect it is an old established name. Do let us know the results of your drive by.

Next time I go birdwatching in the vicinity I shall take a walk that way!