Grand launch for Southampton regeneration

The completion of Southampton's first major estate regeneration in decades is to be marked with a grand opening.

Four one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom flats for affordable rent, along with five new shops at Hinkler Place in Thornhill, will be officially unveiled tomorrow by the leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Royston Smith.

He will be joined by the authority's development partners on the project, builder Barratt Homes, housing association First Wessex and community agency Plus You.

The Government-backed Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) provided £3 million to support the delivery of the new homes and has worked with the partners to ensure the properties meet high standards of design and sustainability.

In all, the £15 million redevelopment by Barratt and First Wessex will deliver 107 new homes, 30 per cent of which will meet the council's family homes policy, along with the five retail units and a new community facility.

Hazel Warwick, development director at First Wessex, said: "We are very excited that the first 16 affordable homes at Hinkler Place have recently been let. These are the first of 43 much-needed affordable new homes which will go a long way towards meeting housing need in Thornhill.

"We expect a further eight flats and 19 houses for rent to be completed by next summer. All the new homes are designed and constructed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level Four and most incorporate innovative heating technologies, including air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. We hope that these energy efficient technologies will bring many benefits to residents now and in the future."