Residents urged to have their say on plans for new affordable housing in Poole

More than 100 affordable homes are planned for the site around the new Hillbourne Primary School building in Poole.

As part of the council’s plans to develop the site, Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) is now carrying out public engagement to inform and gain feedback from local residents about the development proposals before plans are formally submitted for approval.

Plans for a development on either side of the new school building, situated on Kitchener Crescent, Hillbourne have been prepared and include:

41 x 3-bedroom homes

40 x 2-bedroom homes

29 x independent living, one-bedroom apartments.

The homes will be a mix of affordable rented for those residents currently waiting on the housing register as well as shared ownership. The houses will all have their own gardens and included in the plans is 184 parking spaces for residents and visitors. Careful consideration has also been made to the ecology of the area, and plans incorporate a natural pond, hedge planting and additional tree planting on site.

Councillor Robert Lawton, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "We are committed to delivering much needed affordable housing for local people including good quality family homes and accommodation suitable for older residents. The scheme will provide a mix of affordable rented as well as shared ownership giving local people the opportunity to get on the property ladder. We are working with Poole Housing Partnership to engage with local residents to share the proposals with them and gather feedback before plans are submitted for planning consideration."

Construction of the new school building is progressing well and is due to be open by September 2021. The land either side of the new site where the old school buildings stand will no longer be required, and it will free up that land for the development of these new homes.

Plans for the housing development are expected to be considered in April 2021. Subject to planning permission, work on the new homes could get underway by May 2022 with the aim the works will be completed by the summer of 2024.

To view the plans and provide feedback, visit: www.yourphp.org.uk/hillbourne

The architects will be hosting a public webinar to present the proposed designs on 11 March at 7pm. To register visit the above link.

The consultation closes on Friday 26 March 2021

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Notes: As part of BCP Council’s Big Plan, we are committed to delivering more than 15,000 new homesfor people of all incomes – both through our own civic investment and by supporting and enabling developers to build homes, with a sustainable mix of affordable and high-end apartments and houses.