Bringing more affordable homes to communities

1,500 new homes in Arundel, West Sussex

We’ve entered into a 50:50 joint venture with leading developer Vistry to acquire the former Ford Airfield in West Sussex, with plans to transform the site into 1,500 new homes.

The development will provide 50% affordable housing, in a mix of Shared Ownership, First Homes and rented tenures. Alongside the new homes, the site will be transformed to provide a 60-bed care home, a new local centre with commercial and retail uses, almost 1,500 sq m of new community and leisure space, land for a new primary school and extensive public open spaces including new sports pitches and allotments.

Gary Orr, Group Chief Executive of Abri said:

“This transformative development will provide many hundreds of new, quality affordable homes, as well as new services and facilities for the local community. By working in joint venture with Vistry, we’ve unlocked the full potential of the site, making sure it delivers the best outcomes for the community. We want to play our role tackling the nation’s housing crisis and Ford Airfield will contribute significantly to Abri’s commitment to build 10,000 homes by 2030, whilst we will reinvest any surplus to improve existing homes and services, invest in communities and continue to build more affordable housing.”

Stephen Teagle, Chief Executive of Countryside Partnerships (part of Vistry Group) said:

“We have a well-established, long-term relationship with Abri and Ford Airfield perfectly supports our strategy of delivering a significant number of mixed-tenure homes with affordable housing partners. Through our joint venture, we’re able to increase the level of affordable housing across the whole site from the 30% planning requirement to 50%, which will have a major impact on West Sussex’s affordable housing supply.”

Over 100 affordable homes coming to Theale, West Berkshire

We’re also working with Ridgepoint Homes to build 117 affordable homes at the Lakeside development in Theale. The homes will be in a mix of tenures, including 34 social rent and 35 affordable rent homes. A further 48 homes will be available to buy through shared ownership.

As well as the homes, the development is helping to revitalise disused land by building on a former gravel extraction pit to create the lakeside setting. Footpaths on the water’s edge will connect the community to communal green spaces and a wooded nature reserve as well as local amenities in Theale village.

Fergus Cruikshank, Head of Land and Planning at Abri said: “We’re committed to building good quality homes that enhance communities and it’s really encouraging that we’re able to make so many homes affordable. Building more than 100 affordable homes is going to make such a difference, particularly at a time when the cost of living is so high.”

The Lakeside site is a wider development of 281 homes being built by Ridgepoint. Abri is taking ownership of the 117 homes.