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12pc of brewery site to be ‘affordable’ homes

blackmorevaleApril 7, 20210 Comment0

The first homes to be built on the site of the former Hall & Woodhouse brewery will be affordable housing provided by developers Drew Smith, who have teamed up with housing provider Stonewater to build the 21 units.

They will include two one-bedroom flats and 12 two-bedroom flats for social rent, plus seven three- bedroom houses for shared ownership. They are part of the Brewery Place development on the site of the former brewery in Bournemouth Road, which will also include another 42 open-market properties, due to be completed between May 2022 and January 2023.

Homes England, who bought the site from Hall & Woodhouse in 2017, is now part-funding the development of the affordable homes as part of the wider 180- home development of houses and apartments, which will be a mix of converted Victorian former brewery buildings and new-build properties.

Leanne Smith, new business director at Drew Smith, said: “We’re delighted to be facilitating the delivery of affordable homes on this important heritage site in Blandford, alongside housing association partner Stonewater. Despite the lack of formal obligation to provide affordable housing on the site, we’re fulfilling our partnerships’ commitment and will be providing 21 affordable homes for the local community.”

Matt Crucefix, director of development at Stonewater, said: “Dorset Council has been very supportive, and we’re pleased the number of affordable homes being built will be more than had been originally planned. Not only will the scheme transform this brownfield site, creating an attractive development, but it will help meet the need for affordable homes in this highly desirable area.”

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “I’m very pleased that this development is utilising a brownfield site and will provide much needed affordable housing.”