We are pleased to confirm that the 22 new affordable homes in Hythe, on the edge of the New Forest, are now complete and have been formally handed over to New Forest District Council (NFDC).

We are incredibly proud of this completed development, which provides a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes. These homes are helping to meet urgent local housing need in a highly sought-after part of Hampshire.

The scheme has been carefully designed to complement its surroundings, using a varied palette of materials including mixed brick textures, projecting brickwork and decorative banding, alongside stone detailing and zinc roofs. These architectural features add character and visual interest while respecting the scale and context of the surrounding area. The development also includes a dedicated recreational area for children and is located less than a mile from Hythe town centre.

All homes have been built to Future Homes 2025 standards, incorporating wider, insulated cavity walls, high-performance windows, air-source heat pumps, PV roof panels, and electric vehicle charging points for every plot. These measures help reduce energy consumption, lower running costs for residents, and support wider environmental goals.

Construction began in September 2024, and delivering the scheme to NFDC’s programme presented a tight construction timetable. To meet this challenge, we increased on-site trades and resources and carefully managed material procurement to secure improved lead times, ensuring the project remained on track for completion.

Being a considerate constructor was a priority for AJC Group throughout the build. Our site team maintained weekly communication with the neighbouring hospital, as well as regular contact with local shops and residents to update scheduled works and minimise disruption. We also engaged with local community groups to provide updates and maintain open dialogue.

Under the leadership of Bradley Fitzwalter, our Site Manager, the team went further by actively supporting the local community and reducing waste. Usable materials such as pallets and surplus bricks were offered to residents rather than sent to skips to repurpose for garden furniture and BBQs, significantly reducing waste on site. In some cases, materials were even delivered directly to neighbours by Bradley, reflecting our commitment to being a respectful and responsible presence in the community.

Creating a positive on-site environment was equally important. The site included dedicated welfare areas for operatives, space to relax during breaks and clear guidance on health and wellbeing. This fantastic approach was reflected in the strong scores achieved through our NHBC inspections, as well as two highly coveted NHBC award wins. Bradley was awarded an NHBC Pride in the Job Award for construction quality and site management, plus our Hythe scheme received an NHBC Seal of Excellence, placing it among the top 3% of construction sites in the South West.

All-in-all, we are exceptionally proud to have delivered this development in partnership with New Forest District Council. Our thanks and recognition to architects KSA, engineers Jub, groundworks contractor GSJP, NHBC and the Considerate Constructors Scheme for recognising all our efforts. 

This project forms part of our wider mission to deliver 500 affordable homes, supporting councils and communities across the Wessex and South region.

We wish NFDC and future residents every success as these new homes begin to play their part in the Hythe community.