Development at twynham

Development and regeneration schemes for Twynham are carried out by Sovereign Housing Group Limited. Sovereign develops affordable homes in all categories, including rural, sheltered, supported, shared ownership, intermediate rent, and for open market sale.

For more information about Sovereign Housing Group Development, click here.

Current Schemes

For a long time we have wanted to improve the quality of housing and the environment of Somerford Estate in Christchurch. Somerford is our largest estate where we own and manage properties. The Somerford estate was built by Christchurch Borough Council in the 1950s and 1960s.

Our plans are to refurbish and redevelop our homes on parts of Somerford to:

  • bring them up to modern standards, and
  • help meet the need for new and more suitable affordable family housing, including homes for shared ownership.

The ‘Living in Somerford’ survey was designed to find out residents views on the main concerns, problems and issues in relation to living on the estate and to find out how they would prefer to be consulted, informed or involved. As a result of the survey and interest in redevelopment, a resident led Somerford Partnership group was set up with support from us and Sovereign Housing Group staff.

In 2006, an initial master planning exercise was undertaken to identify potential sites across the area for new development, redevelopment or other improvements. The Somerford redevelopment programme will be progressed through specific phased projects, each with their own project plan.

The following objectives for Somerford have been identified:

  • Provide more affordable housing for families
  • Replace or improve  properties that do not meet modern day standards
  • Create a more integrated and sustainable mixed community
  • Improve the quality and mix of affordable housing, including introducing affordable home ownership initiatives
  • Design any new developments as focal points on the estate, using modern means of construction and environmental good practice
  • Replace Somerford Hall with new community facilities
  • Replace the Strete Mount scheme with new, high quality housing for older residents elsewhere on the estate.

New Homes at Cheviot Court

Cheviot Court was chosen as the first area of Somerford to be redeveloped. It is a block of flats in the centre of the Somerford Estate, where over a number of years residents have experienced problems with antisocial behavior due to the layout and access of the flats.

There was strong support from residents when they were consulted regarding proposals to demolish the existing block of 18 flats and replace with 39 new homes. The new homes will be a mixture of flats and family homes for rent and 12 two-bedroom flats for shared ownership.

Planning permission was granted by Christchurch Borough Council on 31 January 2008. Councilors particularly welcomed the development because there is so much demand for more quality affordable housing in the town.

Rok, the developers, started on site in August 2008 and the program is due to complete in January 2010. The new homes at Cheviot Court will be built using timber frame construction. The main advantages of this type of building are that initial work is done in a factory. This helps reduce waste materials and improves the quality of the finished product, and means that less time is needed on site to erect the homes.  It also means fewer trips by lorry to bring materials to the construction site – great news for local residents.

Inside the homes, the innovations will also continue. All the properties will meet the government’s ‘Code for sustainable homes’ requirements at level 3.  This is how the government is aiming to reduce the impact of new homes on the environment.

As a result, the flats and houses will include:

  • increased insulation (25% better than building regulations specify)
  • heat recovery systems which re-use energy from outgoing air for hot water and heating – saving energy and co2 emissions
  • water-saving flow restrictors on taps and shower heads
  • water butts in gardens

Except for Cheviot Court, all of the proposals in the redevelopment program are at an initial stage and all affected residents will be consulted in more detail as specific plans progress.

More information:

Completed Schemes

Click here to view "The Hawthorns"