Winchester City Council will mark completing its latest housing scheme in Kings Worthy with an official opening by Mayor of Winchester and Steve Brine MP on Friday 9 July 2021.
Burnett Lane in Kings Worthy provides 35 new affordable homes with a range of different housing options. These include affordable rent and shared ownership tenures. Drew Smith Ltd handed control of the site to the council at the end of June and the project was completed on time.
The new development is adjacent to a landscaped open space featuring wildlife habitats, wooded areas and wildflower meadows. This is known locally as Top Field. The scheme comprises one, two, three and four bedroom homes. It also includes a network of footpaths linking to the Watercress Way and the main amenities in Kings Worthy.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management, Cllr Kelsie Learney, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening this fantastic development as planned this summer. Hookpit Farm is a great example of a small development providing well-designed, affordable homes with easy access to the city centre and surrounded by countryside. There has already been a strong interest in the homes here with some already reserved and we’re looking forward to welcoming new residents from the surrounding community over the coming months.”
Managing Director of Drew Smith, Adrian Cator, said: “It’s great to see the achievements of the Drew Smith team. We have created much needed affordable housing for the area but also a beautiful recreation space for local residents to enjoy. The success of this scheme is testament to what can be achieved through a collaborative effort to address the requirements of a community, and it’s been great to partner with Winchester City Council on its delivery.”
Steve Brine MP said; “This is smashing continuation of the City Council’s New Homes Programme. They’re nice looking houses in a great setting but even better was to chat to some of the hopeful new owners and tenants who were just beaming with excitement at the prospect of a new home in their own community.”
Top Field, will be managed by the council's natural environment and recreation team. The area will include significant ecological preservation work, such as wildlife habitats, wooded areas, and a wildflower meadow. Over 100 slow worms have been relocated for protection.
The mixture of homes at Hookpit Farm includes 25 affordable rent, eight shared ownership and two discounted market sales for people with a strong local connection to Kings Worthy. The new homes are thermally efficient. They include solar panels, contributing to the council’s ambition for the district to be carbon neutral by 2030.
