Lovell has signed contracts with Southampton City Council for three estate regeneration projects, together worth £28 million that will deliver more than 200 new homes.

Working with social housing provider First Wessex, Lovell will build the new housing at three sites: Exford Avenue, Harefield; Laxton Close, Sholing and Meggeson Avenue, Bitterne Park.

Work on the five-year construction programme is expected to start in May 2012. The new homes, which will replace existing housing, will be available across a range of tenures including market rent, social rent and shared ownership.

-- Advertisement --

The new properties will feature one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and apartments. At Exford Avenue, Lovell will also replace an existing parade of shops with seven new shops as well as moving a children’s play area.

The new housing at all three sites will meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, incorporating sustainable features including solar photovoltaic panels.

Barbara Compton, Southampton City Council's senior manager for skills, economy and housing renewal, said: "Southampton City Council is driving forward an ambitious estate regeneration programme to improve the lives of residents across the city. We are delighted that our next major initiative to build 200 more homes will be going ahead. We look forward to Lovell starting work on building these new homes. We congratulate Lovell on securing this important development milestone with us and we look forward to working with them."

(CD/GK)