Developers have broken ground at a former bingo hall site in Bournemouth town centre to mark the start of construction on 40 affordable homes.
AJC Group is delivering the landmark scheme for the Aster Group at Lansdowne to build the housing along with a community urban allotment.
KPPC is proud to have provided planning support for AJC, including pre-application negotiations, consultation and planning application submission.
Chief Executive Ken Parke and Operations Director Kat Burdett attended the ceremony on the former Buzz Bingo site along with representatives from AJC, Aster, subcontractors, stakeholders and Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale.
The family homes will be delivered for affordable rent in partnership with Aster Group and through BCP Council’s Homechoice scheme.
Designed with community and sustainability at their heart, the mews-style streets will feature tree planting and shared green spaces as well as the new community allotment.
Every house will include a private garden or balcony, dedicated parking and be powered by modern air source heat pumps.
The all-electric homes will be built to the latest energy efficiency standards to lower energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
David Cracklen, Director of AJC Group, added: “Breaking ground here is hugely symbolic. These are the first family houses to be built in Bournemouth town centre for over three decades, and they couldn’t come at a more critical time.
“For years, families have been priced out of the area, and the wait for genuinely affordable homes has been too long. We are proud to be creating new family houses in partnership with Aster, just a stone’s throw from the beach, on a site that has stood derelict for many years. This is about restoring family life back into the heart of Bournemouth.”
Ken Parke, KPPC Planning Consultants Chief Executive, said: “This scheme will breathe new life into a disused site in Bournemouth town centre.
“It will bring economic, social and environmental benefits while making a valuable contribution to Bournemouth’s housing supply with 40 affordable family homes in a highly sustainable location.
“We were pleased to attend the ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of work and look forward to seeing the scheme develop.”
The first homes are expected to be ready in Autumn 2027.
(Picture: AJC Group)
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