Christchurch's biggest landlord has unveiled seven new affordable rented homes for local families.

The former garage block and council play area at The Hawthorns were once sites attracting nuisance behaviour, but Twynham Housing Association has made good use of the spare areas of land by developing the seven new homes.

The £1.3m project – completed by Poole-based Rok – includes four three-bedroom and three two-bedroom houses, which are of contemporary design, featuring solar panels and additional sound insulation in the walls.

Twynham’s Managing Director, Marion Franks, said: “ Christchurch’s housing crisis is fuelled largely by lack of land, so making the best use of small sites like this is vital if we are to increase the supply of affordable homes in the town.”

The scheme has completed quickly, as the final planning consent was only secured in late autumn 2006, the contract was let in March 2007 and work started on site in May. In addition, the scheme has created significant neighbourhood improvements by providing 13 extra parking spaces to ease congestion on Blackberry Lane. Twynham also managed to resurface the private road running next to the site and near to other older Twynham properties. And a new low wall with railings has been erected to make the open space safer.

Ms Franks added: “Although it’s only seven houses, this is our first development in Christchurch in over five years. But with our £30m redevelopment project for Somerford gathering pace, local residents can expect to see big improvements in the provision of affordable homes in Christchurch in the near future.”

Published 1 February 2008
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