NFDC members welcomed by VIVID to Ashurst affordable housing scheme

Councillors, including two portfolio holders, from New Forest District Council were hosted at a new housing development in Ashurst this week, where work is underway to build 62 new affordable homes.  

The development is being delivered by VIVID, one of the south’s leading affordable housing providers, in partnership with regional housebuilder Foreman Homes. The Whartons Lane site, which in the New Forest National Park — one of the least affordable national parks in the UK — has previously been identified for housing in the authority’s Local Plan, which guides future development. 

The scheme, supported by Homes England, includes 40 affordable homes for social rent and 22 for shared ownership. 31 of the development’s homes will be prioritised for people with a local connection. The development was visited by Councillor Steve Davies and Councillor Derek Tipp, who hold responsibility for housing and planning respectively on New Forest District Council’s Cabinet together with Councillor Joe Reilly, who represents Ashurst, Bramshaw, Copythorne and Netley Marsh. 

Tristan Samuels, Group Development and New Business Director at VIVID, said: “It’s great to be working with Foreman Homes to bring much-needed new affordable homes to the New Forest, given its housing affordability challenges. This site will help local people stay close to the communities they know and love, and we’re excited to see the first homes now taking shape. We’re always keen to engage our local council partners, so we welcomed the chance to host members from New Forest District Council at our Whartons Lane site.” 

Cllr Steve Davies, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, said: “Providing affordable housing for residents across the New Forest district remains a key priority for our council, whether through our own development programme or in partnership with key strategic providers. This new development in Ashurst is a significant achievement for a rural parish that has not seen additional affordable homes built for many years. We have worked closely with VIVID to bring this site forward, ensuring that the homes meet high standards and reflect the needs of the community.”  

Karl Handscombe, Construction Director at Foreman Homes, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our long-standing partnership with VIVID by bringing high quality affordable homes to the New Forest. It’s fantastic to see this development taking shape and we’re really pleased that so many of these homes will go to people with a local connection. For us, it’s about building homes that people can be proud of and that will make a real difference to the community. We were pleased to welcome local councillors on site and showing them the progress – it’s always a proud moment for us as these new homes become reality.” 

The first homes are expected to be ready by December this year, with the full development due for completion by December 2026, subject to progress. The Whartons Lane scheme is part of a wider programme of affordable housing by VIVID across the New Forest, including more than 100 new homes in Fordingbridge and 27 in Barton on Sea. These homes will provide much-needed affordable options for customers, helping to meet local housing demand and support thriving communities.