News

A ground-breaking scheme to create an eco-village in the heart of Poole is back on track.

Following negotiations with the Housing Corporation, the Government body that funds affordable housing development, a new agreement has been reached to sell the Council owned-land at Seldown to Western Challenge Housing Association for £2.7 million.

Under the agreement, 100% of the housing developed on the site will be affordable and will use the latest in eco-friendly building technology to create 86 new homes on the site.

Cllr Bill Wretham, Housing Portfolio Holder, said: "This is fantastic news. By working with Western Challenge we have come up with the best deal possible. The new agreement means that the site will provide much needed affordable housing whilst also achieving the best financial package for Council Tax payers. Not only will the higher standard scheme receive additional Housing Corporation funding, our discussions have secured funding for an additional 20 affordable homes to be provided by Western challenge Housing association elsewhere in Poole."

Simon Hendey, Head of Housing and Community, Borough of Poole, said: "The sale of the Seldown site to Western Challenge secures affordable housing for Poole and will provide a more extensive and higher quality Ecological Scheme. This will mean that when residents move in to these homes the high standard of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly features will mean less pollution and harm to the environment and benefit residents by having incredibly low fuel bills."

Planning permission for the development was granted earlier in March and work on the site is due to begin by the end of April.