AJC Group has submitted plans to Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council for phase two of its £15m affordable housing development, situated in the affluent coastal district of Branksome Park, Poole. Coinciding with the detailed plans being lodged for phase two, construction work has commenced on the first phase.
Located at 7-11 Lindsay Road, AJC Group is delivering the affordable housing development in conjunction with Abri – one of the largest housing providers operating in the south of England. The first phase of the scheme comprises 28 two-bedroom apartments, which will be made available to purchase via shared ownership. The first homes will be ready for occupation in 2024.
Complementing phase one, the Reserved Matters Application for the proposed second phase of the scheme is for a high-quality contemporary, design-led development, which has been designed by Christchurch-based ARC Architecture Ltd. 16 one- and two-bedroom apartments have been proposed across a striking three-storey residential building. Located within the Branksome Park and Chine Conservation Area, the brownfield site for the second phase extends to 0.6-acres.
David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, said: “While BCP Council stipulates that all developments with over 11 new homes have a 40% affordable housing allocation, our design-led development on Lindsay Road proposes 100% affordable housing. The 44 one- and two-bedroom homes will be delivered to Abri to meet the needs of local people, who couldn’t otherwise get a foothold on the property ladder here.
“With Branksome Park being one of the most desirable places to live across the whole of Dorset, the need for affordable housing is far greater. Local people want to live in the community they grew up in, with a choice of high-quality homes that provide a route to home ownership. These well-specified homes are likely to appeal to key workers who are vital to the local community and the economy.
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on the first phase of this scheme at 7-9 Lindsay Road, and look forward to working with BCP Council’s Officers and Councillors, together with local stakeholders, on our detailed plans for 11 Lindsay Road.”
Lindsay Road is located within the Poole Sustainable Transport Corridor. The development is very close to the local centres at Penn Hill Avenue and Poole Road, and the site is also under a mile from Parkstone District Centre, which features a diverse range of food stores, shops, services, and public transport facilities. There are bus stops on Lindsay Road and Penn Hill Avenue, and Branksome train station is less than half a mile away. AJC Group’s scheme for 11 Lindsay Road proposes seven car parking spaces and a cycle store to accommodate up to 32 bicycles.
Steve Taylor, Head of Land and Planning at Abri, said: “Working in partnership with AJC Group on what is now our second collaboration, we hope these homes will make a real a difference for people locally and help to strengthen the community. There is a significant demand for one- and two-bedroom properties in Dorset, and with the increased cost of living the need for affordable housing is even more apparent.
“Abri is dedicated to supporting communities and we’re committed to working in partnership to deliver more affordable homes in Dorset and across the south of England.”