Southampton families will soon have a new place to call home as the first stage of a project to regenerate Townhill Park was completed with the official handover of six newly built Southampton City Council houses.
The homes – which will be made available at affordable rent – form part of the council’s wider plans to transform Townhill Park and revitalise the local community. Each of the six family homes, located in Roundhill Close, has three bedrooms, a lounge/dining room, separate kitchen, bathroom, back garden with shed, and two parking spaces.
The properties also benefit from energy-efficient heating systems and are already signed up to CitizEn Energy, Southampton City Council’s ethical energy company, to provide residents with competitively priced gas and green electricity.
Residents are expected to be able to move in during the coming weeks.
Councillor Christopher Hammond said: “It’s been over 30 years since Southampton City Council built homes in this number and this is just the beginning of an exciting regeneration project which will create hundreds of new council houses across Southampton. The provision of quality, affordable housing is one of the council’s top priorities, and there will be lots more to come.”
The council has been working with building contractor Drew Smith Group to construct the six houses and a block of 50 flats in a contract worth £10.3m.
Leanne Smith said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Southampton City Council to deliver much-needed affordable homes in the city. It’s always a pleasure to see new houses finished and ready for local families to move in and make their own. We’re looking forward to continuing our work on site to help transform Townhill Park for future generations.”
Southampton City Council is undertaking a milestone redevelopment of Townhill Park, in what is widely believed to be the council’s largest residential regeneration project, and a major component in a commitment to providing more affordable council homes in the city.
Councillor Satvir Kaur commented: “There’s never been a greater need for affordable housing in Southampton and the regeneration of Townhill Park is a brilliant example of our commitment to delivering quality accommodation and quality of life, in this landmark project. I look forward to working with partners and local communities to deliver more council owned homes here and across Southampton.”
Community engagement continues to be a critical component of the regeneration’s ongoing success, both to support existing Townhill Park residents and ensure new families moving in are made to feel at home in their new neighbourhood.
Residents were first consulted about the plans in 2012, and the council is delighted to be working with SO18 Big Local, a National Lottery-funded group which runs community activities, offers health and wellbeing support, helps people learn new skills, and provides an effective communication channel between the council and local residents.
Jo Proctor, SO18 Big Local, added: “As residents we’re all really proud of Townhill Park and the work that’s going into making the area an even better place to live. We can’t wait to welcome new residents into our community.”
Pictured above from left to right are: Leanne Smith, Head of New Business, Drew Smith Group, Councillor Christopher Hammond, Leader of Southampton City Council, and Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Homes and Culture, Southampton City Council.
