Dorset-based AJC Group has received planning permission from New Forest District Council to demolish the former NHS Becton Centre and to build 27 two-bedroom apartments. All of the homes will be allocated for much-needed affordable housing despite being granted as open-market housing.
Covering 0.35ha and located on The Fairway, the site was once home to the former Becton Centre, an NHS mental health facility that has been vacant for several years. AJC Group has proposed a new three-storey detached apartment building with a pitched roof, designed to be in keeping with the local area, with associated access, parking and landscaping.
The development will make efficient use of an underused brownfield site, deliver over the regulatory 10% in Biodiversity Net Gain, and create short-term construction jobs as well as long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.
Simon McFarlane, Planning Director of AJC Group, said: “We are pleased to have received approval for our application to demolish and redevelop the former Becton Centre into 27 new affordable homes. The New Forest is facing a substantial shortage of affordable housing, with many locals being priced out of the area or unable to get onto the housing ladder. These new energy-efficient apartments will offer residents the opportunity to own a home in their hometown and will create a sustainable, inclusive, and mixed community.
“Our initial plans were previously refused due to the proposed modern design and the number of units. In response, we revised the scheme by reducing the units from 33 to 27 and adopting a more traditional design. Despite these changes, our commitment to enhancing the local housing supply and delivering high-quality, affordable homes remains unwavering. Our primary focus for this site continues to be the effective utilisation of a vacant brownfield site.”
The new apartment block will use a palette of materials found in the local area to complement the existing buildings surrounding the site. These will include white render and red brick, a clay tile roof, and dark grey window frames.
40 shared parking spaces will be provided as well as bike storage for both residents and visitors. Most of the apartment designs benefit from private balconies, some with sea views, while communal landscaped gardens to the rear of the building will be accessible by all future residents.
The site is in a sustainable location and is well-positioned to access public transport as well as local towns and centres. Both Barton on Sea and New Milton are within walking distance and less than a mile from the development. The site is situated c.500m north of the seafront at Marine Drive, with sea views across Barton on Sea’s coastal golf course to the south. New Milton train station is a mile away, providing access to the national rail network and is on the main line between London and Weymouth.
AJC Group continues to grow its presence across the Wessex region, with five additional projects currently underway. These developments include affordable housing initiatives in Dorchester, The New Forest, and the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole areas.