Winchester Council on track to build more than 1,000 homes by 2030

The council is currently working on a number of housing schemes across the district. 

The housing cabinet committee was given a presentation on Monday, February 5 on the latest updates to the new homes programme.

The meeting heard that a total of 274 homes will be finished by the end of this financial year. A projection of homes built showed a high forecast of 1,400 finished by 2030. 

In Whiteley, 54 homes have recently been built, with half rented and half for shared ownership. The 27 homes for rent have all been let, with 25 of those for shared ownership sold, one reserved and one left to sell. 

The Winnall Flats on Winnall Manor Road consist of 73 one and two-bed flats and three houses. A total of 41 flats will be offered to Venta Living Ltd to rent, with 45 people showing an interest. That leaves 35 flats and houses to be sold as shared ownership, with 250 people registering an interest and two properties already reserved. The development will be finished by the end of February. 

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Southbrook Cottages, in Micheldever, is the council's first Passivhaus Plus scheme. This means they generate around 78 per cent less carbon than an average flat. Once finished in March, it will have four one-bed flats and two two-bed flats. 

Looking ahead, five properties are being developed in Woodman Close, Sparsholt. The city council is currently in the stage of tendering the work, with construction to start later this year and finished next year. 

The meeting heard about a number of other schemes in the pipeline. They are: Corner House – Winchester; Micheldever exception site, Waterloo Cottages; Winecross Cottages, North Boarhunt; Minden Way and Fox Lane garage areas; The Dean and Sun Lane, Alresford; Dykes Farm, Winchester; Extra Care, Kings Barton; and Extra Care and general needs rent and shared ownership, Whiteley.

Cllr Danny Lee, who represents the Central Meon Valley ward, asked the committee why no sites in the eastern part of the district had been allocated council housing. 

Cllr Chris Westwood, cabinet member for housing, said: “The strategy is to work closely with parish councils to locate sites across the district in line with housing demands. At the moment, two-bed homes in in most demand.”

Simon Maggs, strategic housing manager, said: “The Whiteley homes have been very popular with residents. We are currently in discussions with the developer for additional housing units and extra care units. 

“The Southbrook Cottages are a good example of what we can do in rural communities. It's one of the first council-built Passivhaus Plus schemes.

“The Winnall Flats are almost finished and they look very impressive. We are improving the green space in that area. There has been lots of interest.

“The plans for Woodman Close are part of our commitment to build in smaller settlements.”

Cllr Caroline Horrill said: “The idea that we're not only building homes, but enhancing communities is welcome. We need to make sure we take that approach with other schemes.”