A lead contractor has been appointed to develop a new community in Eastleigh Borough.

One Horton Heath, in the east of the Borough and bordered by West End, Hedge End and Fair Oak, will provide around 2,500 high quality homes, together with a local centre, a primary school and sports fields, three new commercial hubs and a host of connected spaces and areas for wildlife to thrive.

Surrey-based Wates Group Limited has been formally appointed to build the first 381 homes at Lower Acre. Wates are one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies, with wide experience in both the public and private sectors.

The first of nine residential phases at One Horton Heath, Lower Acre will offer a range of properties from one- to four-bedroom homes. Prospective residents will have multiple options, including homes for purchase, rental properties, and shared ownership opportunities. Notably, 35% of these homes will meet the definition of affordable housing, ensuring diverse and inclusive housing options for the community.

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Eastleigh Borough Council is both landowner and developer for the 355-acre One Horton Heath scheme, and properties will be sold or let through the authority’s recently created housing arm - eastbrooke homes. An 'infrastructure-first' approach means that key elements, such as an important link road, are already being built before work on the housing gets under way.

Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Councillor Keith House, said: "As a council, we’re committed to providing much-needed, high quality housing in our Borough - so it’s very exciting to reach the hugely important milestone of building work starting on the first homes at One Horton Heath.

"We're delivering a different approach to development, focusing on community, innovation and sustainability to deliver the right kind of homes that are in the right location, with infrastructure and other facilities in place before house building gets under way."