From Eastpoint to new beginnings: VIVID’s Thornhill site welcomes MP Darren Paffey

Shortly after a series of significant Government housing announcements, Southampton Itchen’s Member of Parliament, Darren Paffey, was welcomed by leading housing association, VIVID, to its latest development in Thornhill for a tour and progress update.

The redevelopment of the former Eastpoint Centre on Bursledon Road, which VIVID’s completing with its partner, Hampshire Homes, will see 128 new social rent homes built at a time when the city has over 8,000 on its housing waiting list. Alongside the much-needed affordable homes, a new parkland area will also be created.

Following the visit, also attended by Southampton City Council’s Cabinet member for Housing Operations, Councillor Andy Frampton, VIVID’s Group Development & New Business Director, Tristan Samuels said: “We valued catching-up with Darren and Andy and updating them on the progress we’re making in bringing new affordable homes to this part of Thornhill. It was great to speak about the positive impact that we all recognised these homes will have locally for those who need them. We look forward to having Darren and Andy back again in the near future and, hopefully, at the point when we’re starting to see a new community being formed here.”

Darren Paffey MP commented: “It was fantastic to visit the Eastpoint site and see real progress on delivering genuinely affordable homes for local people in Southampton. Too many families still don’t have a secure place to call home, so we must get Southampton building again. I’m pleased to see VIVID backing that mission. With the Government’s new £39 billion plan to deliver the biggest boost to social housing in a generation, I’ll be working to help deliver more developments like this for our city.”

Councillor Andy Frampton added: “We really can’t underestimate the vital foundation that a home offers someone, and we know the housing pressures we’re facing right now, so it’s great to see the progress VIVID’s making here in Thornhill.”

It’s expected the first set of customers will be able to move into some of the new family houses on the site in the autumn. The whole development is due to be completed by spring 2026.

The progress being made with the redevelopment of the former Eastpoint Centre site follows VIVID’s recent announcement that it’s now hit a major milestone having completed its 10,000th new home in 8 years. This achievement means that around 23,000 more people in the South now have a place to call home and access to a wide range of services and support.