Foundation Stone laid for the
UK’s largest Council-led housing project

The foundation stone was laid today at One Horton Heath, marking the start of construction for the first homes on the Lower Acre site. This milestone signified the beginning of the largest council led housing project in the United Kingdom, delivered by eastbrooke homes, the council’s housebuilding division, in partnership with contractor Wates.

Work is now underway on 381 homes which form the first phase of more than 2,500 new homes planned for One Horton Heath. Around one third of these homes will be provided as affordable housing. The development has been shaped around a long term vision to create a sustainable, inclusive, and high quality community with strong connections to the surrounding environment.

The wider masterplan includes a new primary school, a local centre with allotments, playing fields and sports facilities, energy efficient homes supported by sustainable technology, sustainable urban drainage, and a new link road to improve connectivity. One third of the site will be kept as accessible open green space.

Councillor Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, said:
“We were proud to begin building the first homes of all tenures including homes for sale, rented accommodation, shared ownership, and affordable and social housing. Our partnership with Wates was the key driver in ensuring the first homes were built and occupied, and we hope this marks the start of a long and successful collaboration.”

Lee Bushell, Managing Director at Wates Residential, said:
“We would like to thank the whole team for their hard work, commitment, and collaboration to reach this point. This project represented an important step in bringing much needed housing to the Eastleigh area. These homes are affordable, sustainable, energy efficient, and importantly they reflect what people want. It was not only about construction, it was also about new jobs and our shared ambition to recruit locally. We were very proud to support this community focused development and we looked forward to welcoming the first residents.”

eastbrooke homes, together with Wates Residential, is continuing work on the first 381 homes on the Lower Acre site. This early phase forms an important part of the council’s plan to deliver more than 2,500 high quality homes and to create a vibrant new community at One Horton Heath.

Pictured (from left to right): OHH Construction Manager Sean, EBC Lead Councillor Keith House, Wates Managing Director Lee, Wates Construction Manager Richard.