Residents in the pink as hospital site is reborn

Published by Steve Murphy for Sentinel Housing Association Ltd in Housing and also in Communities

NORTH HAMPSHIRE'S biggest landlord has given a family of four a new lease of life after moving them into a new affordable home on a former hospital site in Basingstoke.

Sharon Brewer recently swapped her cramped four-bedroom house for spacious new four bedroom home at Limes Park.

The 49-year old shop-worker, along with her 14 year old son Adam and her two young grandchildren Liam (7) and Kia (6), are one of 16 local families, couples and individuals to start a new community in the first phase of the £20m development at Limes Park.

Sentinel Housing Association worked with Persimmon Homes, and completion of the new phase was assisted by the Housing Corporation.

Mrs Brewer said she was thrilled with the extra space in her new home which boasts a large front room, a dining room leading into a kitchen, four bedrooms and a large private back garden.

She said: Our new home is like a dream come true. My grandchildren are so much happier since weve moved and Ive noticed that their confidence has increased.

The house is lovely and spacious, the neighbours are great and the area is lovely and quiet, with the exception of the temporary building works going on, but that doesnt bother us at all. Weve even got space for the children to have their own little garden at the front of the house.

The 16 new homes are part of the first phase of the Sentinel development at Limes Park, which will include 72 new homes for rent coming over the summer. The whole project will complete in 2010, and some will be built as part of the government's £60,000 house project.

Sentinel Assistant development director Julie Porter said: We are delighted to be working with Persimmon Homes as we continue to invest in the Basingstoke area, providing much-needed larger family homes in a community where people feel safe to live.

Persimmon Homes South Coasts managing director, Andrew Golawski, added: We are very glad to be chosen as the preferred partner for this worth-while scheme. The availability of high-quality, affordable homes is extremely important, now more than ever. Its great to hear that Mrs Brewer is so happy with her new home.

Housing Corporation Director for the South East, Fiona Cruickshank, said: I am pleased that Housing Corporation funding of close to £3 million is helping to provide these much needed rented homes for people and families in Basingstoke. Alongside the transformation of this old hospital site these homes will make a significant contribution to meeting the need for affordable housing in Basingstoke and improving peoples' lives.