CONSTRUCTION for nearly 40 new homes in a Dorset village will begin later this year after developers win planning approval. 

Verwood will soon be getting 38 new homes as part of Pennyfarthing Homes’ Potters Wood development. 

Representing the third and final phase of Pennyfarthing’s project, the project will bring the total number of homes for the scheme up to 268. 

Pennyfarthing Homes said 19 homes will be designated as ‘affordable first homes’ designed to support first-time buyers and key workers in the area.  

The affordable units will consist of two and three-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom flats. 

And the remaining 19 open market homes will offer a variety of options for customers, including two-and three-bedroom bungalows and three-bedroom houses. 

Situated on a four-acre greenfield site, Potters Wood features open space and is close to an existing Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and a recently refurbished playground. 

Matt Dukes, managing director of Pennyfarthing Homes, said: "Potters Wood has been a major success, proving highly popular with local home-movers and people wanting to move closer to the New Forest. 

“We are proud to see it come to full fruition with planning approval for this final phase of 38 new homes.  

“By making half of those homes available on an affordable basis we are once again reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible housing for the Verwood community.  

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this final phase of the development will have on local residents and the broader area." 

Construction of the final phase is set to begin later this year, with the first homes expected to be available by January 2025.  

Potters Wood is Pennyfarthing Homes’ flagship Dorset development and, according to the firm, has enjoyed consistent sales success since the start of the project in 2019. 

Case officer Diana Mezzogori-Curran said in her report: “This full application will assist the council in the delivery of new homes and following an extensive process of discussion and negotiation between the developer, council officers, and consultees, it is considered that all significant objections have now been satisfactorily addressed and that full consent should be granted.”