Housing association to turn garages into affordable homes

Housing association Aster Group will turn an under-used garage site in Hampshire into affordable housing for local people.

The planning application to redevelop land in the rural village of Kings Somborne, Hampshire, has been approved, giving the Group the green light to build three new three-bedroom homes for affordable rent.

Aster Group own and manage over 7,000 garages across the South of England and whilst in most areas demand for garages is high, there are some sites that are under-used with garages left empty.

Sarah Durrans, regional director at Aster Group said: “As well as building homes on land earmarked for development, we also look at ways to make the most out of the land and assets we already own, which includes looking at some of our poor performing garage sites in our regions.

“Finding development land, especially in rural areas is a challenge, so it makes sense to look at what we already have within our portfolio and to redevelop sites which our customers no longer use.

“The garages on this site have been unoccupied for over three years and the area has a bit if a reputation as a place for anti-social behaviour. Therefore, turning the unused piece of land into much-needed homes for local people will directly benefit three families and the wider community.”

Aster Group plans to build three new three bedroom homes for affordable rent at Eldon Road, Kings Somborne, with work due to start in Summer 2021.