Southampton City Council has said it’s “delighted to announce the appointment of large housing provider Abri as their preferred bidder to deliver up to 189 much needed affordable homes in Townhill Park”.
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Locally-based Abri, which owns more than 50,000 homes, will work in partnership with the council on two plots (five and six on the map) as part of a wider regeneration of the area.
This will involve the council transferring designated land to Abri.
The first plot covers the existing Benhams Road, Meggeson Avenue, Hallet Close and Cutbush Lane area.
The second encompasses Meggeson Avenue shops and residential properties, where a new convenience store and community café have also been proposed.
Image: SCC
The developments come as part of Southampton City Council’s Affordable Housing Framework which was set up enable the building of more affordable homes in the city.
In a statement the council said the framework allows it "to use its own land to address the significant need for affordable housing in Southampton and will provide the opportunity for development of social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership properties which will help people get onto the housing ladder.
“The wider regeneration of Townhill Park will replace old council housing stock with more than six-hundred brand new energy efficient homes.”
Kim Ayling, former chair of the now wound down community project SO18 Big Local, told bitternepark.info she welcomed the news.
She said: “As ex-chair of SO18 Big Local & now committee member of THRILL (Townhill Regeneration Is Leaving Legacy - the community group established to carry on the role of critical friend to SCC & to advocate & give a voice to THP residents), we are pleased & extremely relieved ... the announcement that ABRI will build affordable homes on these plots is a positive & most welcome step forward in revitalising & renewing this community.”
Sam Stone, director of land and planning at Abri said: “Abri's committed to providing safe, sustainable and affordable homes. As the preferred bidder we look forward to working closely with Southampton City Council and the local community to bring forward these new homes. Over the coming months we’ll be listening to feedback from local residents as we start to progress the detailed designs to ensure the homes meet the needs of everyone living in the local area.”
Cllr Phil Webb, Bitterne Park ward councillor, which includes parts of Townhill Park, added: “I am delighted that Abri have been chosen to deliver much needed housing at Townhill Park. These new homes will greatly enrich our community, and I am looking forward to working with Abri and local residents to ensure their views are represented throughout.”
Councillor Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, hailed the appointment of Abri as “not only a huge milestone for the Affordable Housing Framework, but also for the Townhill Park Regeneration Programme”.
“‘The Affordable Housing Framework will help the council achieve its commitments to delivering good-quality, affordable housing for our residents to live comfortably and thrive,” she said.
The council said it’s now also gone out to tender for a Registered Provider to build new affordable homes on Plot 2 (which has a boundary of Meggeson Avenue, Townhill Way, Paulet Close and Cutbush Lane) and Plot 9 (Rowlands Walk). It anticipates a provider will be appointed in early 2025.