Located in the small riverside town of Fordingbridge - known as the northern gateway to The New Forest - the Forest Edge development features a mix of 63 houses and apartments.
Adam O’Brien, Managing Director of Metis Homes, said: “We are thrilled to have exchanged contracts with New Forest District Council to deliver 17 homes at our Forest Edge development for shared ownership and affordable rent. This number is higher than the percentage of affordable homes designated to the site during the planning process, reflecting our shared desire to help meet local housing needs.
“While so much new housing and investment has been stalled across Hampshire of late, we are proud to be delivering this highly popular development on the edge of the New Forest. We are looking to bring forward many more mixed-tenure projects and have the funding in place to progress new opportunities.”
Councillor Edward Heron, New Forest District Council portfolio holder for housing, said: “There is a significant need for quality affordable housing in Fordingbridge and across the New Forest District as a whole. This new development will be very well received because of its convenient and sustainable location, easy access to schools, and range of local amenities. We are very pleased to be working with Metis Homes and look forward to seeing the 17 shared ownership and affordable rented homes completed and occupied as soon as possible.”
All of the 63 market and affordable homes at Forest Edge are expected to achieve an EPC rating of B, with benefits including electric vehicle charging points, and high levels of insulation and thermal efficiency. The new market homes are eligible for ‘green mortgages’, which are offered at more favourable rates. The four-bedroom open market houses have the added benefit of solar PV panels, which will enable the future residents to generate a proportion of their own electricity use, significantly lowering their carbon footprint. 95% of the first phase of open market housing has been sold and the first residents will be moving into their energy-efficient homes this spring.
The spacious development plan for Forest Edge features two play areas and a purpose-designed dog agility course, all surrounded by mature woodland trees. Footpaths leading to inspiring Forest walks can be joined right from the development boundary.
To discover more about Forest Edge please visit https://forestedge.metishomes.co.uk/
