Our partnership with Aster Group to deliver affordable homes in Sturminster Newton
We are pleased to share that we have partnered with Aster Group to deliver our affordable housing scheme at Glue Hill, Sturminster Newton.
Construction begins at affordable housing scheme in Sturminster Newton
We are thrilled to announce that construction has officially begun at our new residential scheme at Glue Hill, Sturminster Newton.
Our partnership with Aster Group to deliver affordable homes in Sturminster Newton
We are pleased to share that we have partnered with Aster Group to deliver our affordable housing scheme at Glue Hill, Sturminster Newton. This development of 48 energy-efficient homes, for affordable rent and shared ownership with Aster, will form an important part of our ongoing commitment to increase access to genuinely affordable housing across Dorset and the wider Wessex region.
Earlier this year, we secured the Glue Hill site, which already held outline planning permission, and subsequently obtained detailed consent for a mixed open-market and affordable housing scheme. However, in line with our ‘500 in 5’ pledge – to deliver 500 affordable homes across the Wessex and South region within five years – we have now committed to deliver all 48 homes as affordable housing.
Located just south of the A357, the 2.59-hectare site has been carefully designed to reflect the character of Sturminster Newton while helping to tackle Dorset’s acute housing shortage. With more than 6,000 households currently on the county’s housing register, the development will offer a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom family homes with private gardens, green spaces, and a Local Area of Play (LAP). Ecological enhancements will also be introduced to promote biodiversity and create a sustainable new neighbourhood.
Each home will be built to high environmental standards, featuring energy-efficient insulation, electric vehicle charging points and sustainable water use measures – helping residents reduce their energy and water consumption, and supporting Dorset’s climate goals.
David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Aster Group once again to deliver this important affordable housing scheme for Sturminster Newton. Every one of these 48 homes will go to local families and individuals who are currently priced out of the private market.
“This partnership represents another significant milestone in our ‘500 in 5’ mission, and we look forward to delivering these homes for Aster with the same level of quality and sustainability that’s defined every project we’ve completed to date.”
Amanda Williams, Chief Investment Officer at Aster Group, added: “Partnering with AJC Group on this exciting project allows us to deliver much-needed affordable homes in a thriving Dorset community. We’re building at pace across the county, and this development is part of our wider commitment to tackling the housing crisis in the region. We’re proud to be creating high-quality, sustainable homes that give more local families the opportunity to find security and stability in a place they can call home.”
This is our fifth collaboration with Aster Group, following ongoing partnerships to deliver 27 houses at Okeford Fitzpaine, 25 homes at Orchard Gate in Dibden Purlieu, 56 homes in the centre of Dorchester and 40 family houses and apartments at the former Buzz Bingo site in central Bournemouth.
Just over a kilometre from Sturminster Newton town centre, the Glue Hill site offers excellent access to schools, shops, healthcare facilities, and public transport links.
We are due to begin construction later this month, supporting more than 160 jobs during the build phase and delivering long-term social and economic value to the local area. The final completion is anticipated in early 2028.
We look forward to keeping the community updated as the project progresses and to seeing the positive impact these homes will bring to local people for years to come.
For more information about our other projects, click here.
Construction begins at affordable housing scheme in Sturminster Newton
We are thrilled to announce that construction has officially begun at our new residential scheme at Glue Hill, Sturminster Newton. The milestone marks the start of the 100% affordable housing development in the heart of Blackmore Vale in rural North Dorset.
An on-site event was held to mark the start of works, with Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, alongside representatives from Dorset Council, AJC Group and housing association Aster Group.
AJC Group secured planning permission earlier last year and subsequently partnered with Aster Group to deliver all 48 homes for affordable rent and shared ownership – helping to meet Dorset’s growing need for genuinely affordable housing.
Notably, 18 of the homes will be bungalows, providing much-needed options for downsizers, the elderly and those with mobility needs.
AJC is delivering the construction as Principal Contractor, and we are working towards the first phased handover in early 2027.
Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, commented: “Developments like this are exactly what our rural towns and villages need to remain vibrant and sustainable places to live. It’s particularly encouraging to see a scheme that delivers genuinely affordable homes while respecting the character of the local area. The inclusion of 18 bungalows is also hugely important, providing much-needed homes for people who want to downsize while staying in the communities they love.”
Michael Young, Construction Director at AJC Group, said: “It’s great to see work now underway on this carefully designed scheme in the heart of Blackmore Vale, and we’re delighted that all 48 homes will be dedicated to affordable housing for local families in partnership with Aster Group. Our mission at AJC remains clear; to create sustainable, affordable homes that enrich local communities.”
Amanda Williams, Chief Investment Officer from Aster Group, added: “Starting on site at Glue Hill is an important step in delivering much-needed new affordable homes for Sturminster Newton. Working with AJC Group, we’re looking forward to creating thoughtfully designed, sustainable homes and a neighbourhood that will offer long-term security and stability for residents.”
Located just south of the A357, the 2.59-hectare site has been designed to reflect the character of Sturminster Newton, with a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes with private gardens, green spaces and a Local Area of Play (LAP). Traditional materials, including flint, brick, painted brick and render, will be used to complement the surrounding architecture.
Sustainable design is at the heart of this project, with strong green credentials. Photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps will help residents reduce both energy costs and environmental impact.
This latest development forms part of our growing partnership with Aster Group across Dorset and Hampshire. It also contributes to our wider ‘500 in 5’ mission to deliver 500 affordable homes within five years, supporting councils and housing associations across the Wessex region.
We are constantly striving to do more for the community, because we care
AJC will become principle contractor form Monday 11th May 2026.
This space will be used to provide progress updates on our construction site and make the community aware of significant milestones for the development.
Our site in Glue Hill, is located in the idyllic town for Sturminster Newton. According to historical mapping from at least the 1840’s to 1880’s the site has remained in agricultural use as open fields.
Sturminster Newton is known for its connection to Thomas Hardy who lived in the area between 1876 to 1878. During his time in Sturminster Newton, he wrote 2 novels and serval poems including On Sturminster Foot-bridge.
The Sturminster Newton Museum & Heritage Centre which is part of the Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust provides information on local history and is free to those wishing to learn more about the area.
AJC Group is wholly committed to reducing our negative environmental impacts and preventing pollution through our operations as a business, and also as a developer. We recognise our
responsibility as a housebuilder, and how we can make a positive impact and difference to the housebuilding industry as a whole.
The company is committed to protecting the environment by complying with all relevant UK legislation, meeting national standards relating to the environment and in accordance with best working practices currently used in the industry. This is an ongoing commitment which requires working practices to be frequently reviewed and adapted to reflect the continual changes to ensure AJC Group is at the forefront of the change with regards to environmental protection.
AJC Group have reviewed activities across the whole business, including provision of housing, property and estates maintenance and management, development, independent living and administrative services, to ensure we meet and exceed targets. In order to make sure we meet our environmental commitments, we have introduced a certified environmental management system, which we will monitor and look to continually improve to enhance our environmental performance.
We want to empower employees and any external contractors, suppliers, and businesses, which work with us to maintain the standards we have set, and continue to set relevant environmental objectives. We do this by regularly communicating our policies and the standards we have set as a business and what we want to achieve and engage with our customers and regulators and other interested stakeholders to promote sustainability both internally and externally.
We have defined and outlined ways in which we will protect the environment and achieve our goals,
they are as follows –
– Using energy, fuel and water efficiently, and reducing consumption
– Wherever possible we will source materials, goods, and services that are sustainable and local
– Elimination, reducing, reusing, recovering or recycling waste and prevent pollution by revising our activities
– Limiting but also improving impacts to land and wildlife, and promoting biodiversity through our work on a corporate and social level
– Keeping our impact on the environment to a minimum and making decisions today that will benefit the future of our business and developments
– Controlling and measuring activities and nuisances to our neighbours including noise and dust
AJC Group has made a commitment to review our environmental policies and objectives every two years to ensure clear and ongoing organisational commitment.
