Regional housing developer AJC Group has submitted a detailed planning application to New Forest District Council for 49 new homes in Hordle, Hampshire, with at least half of the proposed development designated as affordable housing.
The plans for a 2.8-hectare (6.92-acre) site at Hollybush Farm, Woodcock Lane, include a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. The affordable homes will include properties for social rent and shared ownership, helping local people in the New Forest access housing in an area where affordability remains a significant challenge.
Located south of the New Forest National Park boundary, AJC’s planning application identifies that it meets the Government’s definition of Grey Belt land.
The landscape-led proposals include approximately one hectare of green space (nearly 2.5 acres), representing more than a third of the site. A central landscaped public open space will retain much of the existing natural landscape, alongside a new recreational area with play facilities, creating attractive outdoor spaces for residents and the wider community.
New pedestrian routes through the development will connect to Woodcock Lane and an existing public right of way leading into the surrounding countryside, improving access to local walking routes. The plans also incorporate landscaped buffer zones, tree planting and sustainable drainage features.
The scheme has been refined through two rounds of pre-application engagement with New Forest District Council, with changes including an enlarged central public open space, improvements to pedestrian connectivity and revisions to the housing mix and layout to meet local housing need.
Simon McFarlane, Planning Director at AJC Group, said:
“As a regional housebuilder specialising in genuinely affordable housing, we’re committed to helping local people remain in the villages and towns they call home. Whether that’s young families wanting to stay close to where they grew up or older residents looking to downsize without leaving their community, we need to provide more housing choice.
“The Government’s Grey Belt definition provides an important opportunity to bring forward suitable sites that can help address the housing shortage, while protecting the most important areas of Green Belt. Our proposals for Hordle demonstrate how this approach can deliver much-needed homes, with 50% affordable housing, alongside meaningful new green spaces and recreational areas for the wider community.
“We’ve worked closely with the council through the pre-application process to refine the scheme and believe it offers a considered, landscape-led addition to the village.”
AJC Group is a specialist affordable housing developer working with housing associations and local authorities to increase the number of crucially needed homes across the Wessex region. The company is committed to delivering its ‘500 in 5’ mission to provide 500 affordable homes within five years.