WORK is under way to develop a new neighbourhood of nearly 170 homes in Christchurch town centre.
Aster Group is currently clearing the 2.17-hectare site in Bargates, home to the former police station.
Its housing scheme was granted planning permission in February 2020, however, was halted due to ongoing legal issues.
When Aster did get the go-ahead, it announced the development would start in Autumn 2023, and estimated the first homes would be completed by late 2024.
The scheme includes 23 homes for affordable rent and 30 to buy through affordable ownership schemes.
The neighbourhood will also contain 77 homes and 39 retirement properties to buy on the open market.
Flats will consist of one and two bedrooms, and houses will range from two to five bedrooms.
Alongside gardens and communal spaces, there will be 185 parking spaces.
A new road will be built to connect Bargates and Barrack Road for access.
Aster has already started demolishing buildings at the site, although it is not yet cleared.
The developer added that “extensive ecology and tree protection works” were done ahead of demolition works.
In an update given to the Daily Echo this month, a spokesperson for Aster said: “We have begun work to transform the Bargates site, Christchurch. The site has planning permission for 169 much-needed new homes.
"Demolition of the former police station, magistrates’ court, pub, car parks and other disused land started in November 2023, and work to clear the 2.17-hectare site is ongoing."
The developer had previously said the area had a “distinct lack of homes available for local people” and wanted to help “plug some of the gap”.
Despite this, the scheme has received a haul of objections since it was first submitted, with one resident even launching a legal challenge to the plans.
The case went before the High Court but the application for a judicial review was dismissed and the judge refused permission for an appeal.
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