Residents have celebrated the completion of a £9.5m development of much needed affordable homes in Alton, Hampshire.

Sentinel Housing Association’s site bordering the famous Watercress Line in Chawton Park Road provides 54 new affordable homes for local people. It was formerly home to a Hampshire County Council day centre which closed in 2006 and was bought by Sentinel together with a strip of neighbouring land.

Martin Nurse, Sentinel’s Chief Executive, said: "At a time when affordable housing is in short supply, we’re really pleased to be able to help ease housing waiting lists. And with people in East Hampshire having to borrow over 12 times the average salary to buy a home locally, we hope this development gives more people a chance to get into home ownership."

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Councillor Pat Seward, Chairman of East Hampshire District Council, added: "Affordable housing is much-needed throughout East Hampshire, but particularly in areas such as Alton. This development will be a real boost to the numbers of affordable houses here and Sentinel should be applauded for the work they have done to provide it. These are houses for those who need it most and I am very pleased for the families who have moved in to these homes. I am sure they have been made to feel welcome and that this development will quickly become an integral part of the community."

The project has been supported with an investment of around £3.6m from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

(CD/GK)