Broadstone First School has been chosen to name AJC Group’s latest affordable housing development in partnership with Abri, located in Broadstone, Poole. Named ‘Trailway View’ the development will deliver 33 one- and two-bedroom apartments all available for affordable rent.
On 5th June a naming ceremony was held on the new development site, located on Station Approach. Team members from AJC Group, Abri, and members of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, including Councillor Vikki Slade, were all in attendance. Ben Peddie, Construction Director at AJC Group, and Sam Stone, Director of Land & Planning at Abri, delivered speeches to mark the occasion, and Cllr Vikki Slade shared a few words then presented the children whose suggested names were shortlisted with a certificate and gift voucher.
The selected shortlist included ‘Steamer Court’ by Ava Burley, ‘Alfred’s Place’ by Ted Lee, and finally the winner ‘Trailway View’ by Tabby Morris. Two of the names were inspired by the history of the site and the close vicinity to an old railway track and The Castleman Trail. The other was inspired by one of the greatest scientists of all time Alfred Russel Wallace who was a close correspondent to Darwin and is buried in Broadstone cemetery.
David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Abri again to deliver this 100% affordable housing development. Broadstone is an area of Poole that is severely lacking affordable housing, and we are proud to be delivering this high quality, energy efficient development, which will benefit multiple people in the local community. New homes like this are desperately needed, with almost no affordable rent accommodation in Broadstone – only 0.2% of homes are allocated as socially rented.*
“Working with the local Broadstone First School to name this development has been great. The children can feel a part of something in their town which will serve many generations to come.
Sam Stone, Director of Land and Planning at Abri said: “It’s great to know that children from the local school have helped shape the name of this development and can be part of the legacy that these homes will bring. Abri is passionate about empowering communities and with all the new homes we build, we believe the local community understands what’s best for them, so it’s fitting that the children should be involved in such an influential moment.
“Abri is especially grateful for the collaboration that is making these homes possible. Working with AJC Group, we’re helping to unlock the potential of a former brownfield site into new affordable homes, which will be of real benefit for the community.”
Councillor Vikki Slade, said: “‘I am delighted to be asked to formally name the new development. This site has sat empty for a long time, so it’s wonderful that it is being transformed into affordable homes for local people. Given the recent completion of another project by AJC Group on Herbert Avenue, I am confident that the development will be of the highest quality and I look forward to welcoming the new residents.
“I am pleased that AJC Group and Abri engaged with local children to shortlist the name of the development and I was delighted to select the name Trailway View. The Castleman Trailway is such an important link for us with Poole, Wimborne and beyond and brings nature into the heart of our community.”
Trailway View will be a four-storey scheme with a contemporary modern exterior, which has been sensitively designed to complement the surrounding area of Broadstone Poole. Located on a brownfield site, previously used for car parking, the proposed development will deliver much needed affordable housing to this area of Poole, which historically has seen a shortage.
Sustainably positioned, the development is close to several local services and facilities including shops, healthcare and education. Local bus routes are within walking distance of the development, as well as good connections to established footpaths and cycle ways.
Undercroft parking will include 26 spaces, secure storage for 34 bikes, and additional visitor spaces. Access to the wider motorway network can be accessed via the B0374 adjacent to the site, followed by the A31, which leads onto the M27 and M3. Poole train station is a 12-minute (3.2 miles) drive from the site, with frequent services to London Waterloo in 2hr10, stopping at other nearby cities including Bournemouth, Southampton and Basingstoke.