New, affordable housing developments

Amber Gardens, Farnborough, Hampshire

Site history

This was the former offices for local firm Cove Construction and was bought by Sentinel Housing in 2008 as one of four projects between Sentinel and Cove.

Situated in an excellent location on Victoria Road - the main road running through Farnborough.

The site is very close to the town centre which is currently undergoing major re-development and within walking distance from other local amenities including the railway station, green space and a play area.

Scheme history

Funding for the scheme included a £1.2m subsidy from the Homes & Communities Agency, £730,000 from Rushmoor Borough Council with the rest paid for by Sentinel including £381,000 recycled development capital.

The development provides 35 parking spaces, bicycle storage and all houses have private gardens and sheds.

Homes were built using timber frame, to Ecohomes Very Good standard.

Features

All the houses are three-storey and have a family bathroom on the second floor. Five properties also have an en-suite bathroom to the master bedroom on the third floor. Seven apartments were for shared ownership with all reserved off-plan.

Affordability

The homes were let on a local connection basis at a typical rent of £126 pw for a three-bedroom property and £132 pw for a four-bedroom property.

Development details

Local authority: Rushmoor Borough Council

Developer: Cove Construction

Architect: DHA Architecture

Cost: £5.7m

No. homes: 23, including 7 x 2-bed apartments, 3 x 4-bed houses, 13 x 3-bed houses

Completed: August 2009

New developments in other areas

There are plans firmly in place for the release of new affordable housing schemes in Newbury, Farnborough and the Popley, Kempshott and Limes Park areas of Basingstoke.