After consulting local residents in October, Twynham Housing Association has now submitted plans for the first phase of an ambitious project to invest millions of pounds in refurbishing and redeveloping its homes on parts of the Somerford estate in Christchurch.

The application is to demolish the existing block of 18 flats at Cheviot Court – for which there was strong support when residents were consulted. The block would be replaced with 39 new homes – a mixture of 10 two and three-bedroom family houses for rent; 17 one and two-bedroom flats for rent; and 12 two-bedroom flats for shared ownership.

Managing Director Marion Franks explained:
“Two of our aims for Somerford are to provide more quality, affordable housing for families and to replace or improve our homes that don’t meet modern day standards. This project would achieve both.”

“By offering some of the new homes for part buy, part rent we can also help create a more mixed community on the estate and give more local people a chance to get a foot on the housing ladder.”

Ecological surveys just completed as part of the planning application work now indicate that there may be bats in the roof space of the block. If so, contractors won’t be able to demolish the building until later next year. This means original plans to move the residents out have been revised to early February 2008 – giving longer to find suitable homes for everyone, and removing any uncertainty over where they might be living at Christmas.

Apart from Cheviot Court, all of the proposals in the redevelopment programme are at a very initial stage and residents will be consulted in more detail as specific plans progress in the future.

Published 12 December 2007
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