New homes get clean bill of health

20 February 2019 

Five new homes built on the site of a former doctors’ surgery have received a clean bill of health from their new residents. 

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council sold the plot of land on the corner of Paddock Road and Pinkerton Road to Sovereign Housing Association last year to make way for development of the five two-storey properties. The site is made up of three three-bedroom houses and two two-bedroom houses.

All of the homes have now been sold for shared ownership, offering a first step on the property ladder for local residents.   

Roger Keeling, Strategic Asset Management Director, Sovereign met with resident, Abigail Hunt and said: “These homes, which have transformed this once derelict corner in South Ham, have only been made possible by working together with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. We hope residents will enjoy their homes for many years to come.”

23-year old Abi, who lives with her fiancé, Karl, is thrilled with her new home and said: “We’ve been saving for a couple of years now but the cost of a mortgage has always been too high. When these new homes came up for shared ownership we thought we had nothing to lose by applying – we couldn’t believe it when we learned we were successful.  

“We got engaged last year and this is our first home. It’s really nice to be able to come home at the end of the day now to my fiancé!”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Deputy Leader Cllr Terri Reid said: “Working in partnership with Sovereign we were able to ensure we made the best possible use of the land that we own for the benefit of local people. There is a real need for homes to help people get the first step on the property ladder and these shared ownership properties help to meet this demand.

“We will continue to work in partnership and to look at ways in which we can provide more homes, and in particular more affordable housing, within the borough.”