Aster to bring forward £10 million affordable housing development in Hampshire

Housing association Aster Group has secured planning permission to deliver a  £10 million development in Tadley, Hampshire.

The homes at the scheme will all be offered as affordable tenures – over and above a local requirement that stipulates that 40 per cent of units on new residential developments must be affordable housing.

The scheme, which is on the site of a former primary school and is due to complete by the end of 2019, comprises 36 two- three- and four-bed homes. Nine of the homes will be offered as rented properties and 27 as shared ownership.

Amanda Williams, group development director at Aster, said: “The housing crisis is not simply about volume. In areas like Hampshire, where homes are among the most expensive in the South West, affordable choice is equally important in giving people new homes for them and their families.

“Developing on our own land, as we are at Tadley, means we’re able to deliver a high portion of shared ownership, which can be difficult for housing associations that develop predominantly through section 106 acquisitions in contract with housebuilders on their existing schemes. This approach allows us to offer more units as part of a multi-tenure approach, helping us build a wider array of affordable housing options to support more people priced out of the traditional housing market.”

Mathew Vye, associate director, partnership housing at E.G Carter & Co Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Aster Group as part of their framework for a second year. This is our ninth development with Aster and we are looking forward to continuing our collaborative partnership developing new homes throughout the South of England under the contractor framework agreement.”

Part of the investment has come from grant funding from Homes England worth £660,000, for affordable housing in Tadley.