Published on Thursday 26 October 2023
Councillors from Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council have visited residents as they settle into their new homes at the Alice Gardens development in Poole.
The newbuild development of 22 homes is in Newtown and comprises 10 three-bedroom houses and 12 one and two-bedroom flats.
The council-owned properties have been constructed using Passive House standards which supports low carbon emission and high energy efficiency.
The properties have air source heat pumps installed with underfloor heating, and a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system which helps control air quality, comfort, and moisture levels.
Newtown & Heatherlands Ward Councillors, along with BCP Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Millie Earl, and the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Regulatory Services, Cllr Kieron Wilson were briefed by the BCP Housing Delivery Team, with support from Parsons & Joyce who constructed the scheme.
Cllr Wilson said:
‘A home is the foundation on which we all build our lives. So it was lovely getting to see first-hand the impact that good quality housing can have on a family.
"The homes at Alice Gardens are a prime example of the type of council housing we want to see built and the outcomes we want it to produce. Particularly in terms of the environmental standards. It is such magnificent work from our in-house delivery team, alongside Parson & Joyce, all the credit belongs to them."
The properties were allocated to single people and families in need of accommodation via the housing register. Half of the flats have also been sold under the Help to Buy scheme for shared ownership.
One resident, who moved into her home over the summer said:
"I was living with my partner and my three children, all who have special needs. My relationship ended and I had no choice but to move us into one room in my mothers’ home.
It was a very difficult time for us, but we lived like this for three years before BCP Council were able to help us by offering a permanent home.
"Our new home is wonderful; my children have their own bedrooms and don’t have to sleep on the floor anymore. We feel so lucky. It’s very quiet and warm here.
"When I imagined designing the perfect home for my family, this house turned out to be exactly what we needed all along. It was a dream come true!"