BASINGSTOKE’S MP has told the companies behind a major new housing development in the town that the new-builds should meet ‘the highest standards’.

Maria Miller visited Chapel Gate, in Kingsclere Road, where Sentinel Housing Association and Barratt Homes are working together to build 578 new homes at the 26 acre brownfield site, which was previously occupied by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.

The development, near Basingstoke railway station, will include a mixture of one, two, three and four bedroom homes, 230 of which will be affordable and available for rent through shared ownership.

The remaining homes will be for outright sale or with the Government’s Help to Buy equity loan scheme.

Mrs Miller said: “This new housing development makes good use of previously developed land, and I am pleased to see that it also includes homes suitable for families as well as smaller properties.

“During my visit, I have highlighted the need for new build homes to meet the highest standards both in terms of build quality and sustainability.

“The Government’s housing priority is to deliver more affordable homes to buy and to rent, and this joint working between Sentinel Housing Association and Barratt helps to achieve this.

“It is also encouraging to see that many of the homes will be available for people using the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which has already helped hundreds of Basingstoke residents to achieve their aspirations of having the security and stability of owning their own homes.”

Mike Shepherd, development and regeneration director at Sentinel, said: “Chapel Gate is a great example of how we are working with the private sector to deliver a quality product to homebuyers, shared owners and people who need affordable housing.

“Working with Barratt Homes has been very positive as they have brought their extensive construction and sales expertise to the project. This joint working means that we can offer local people a mix of options for new homes, suiting a wide range of budgets.”

Lynnette St Quintin, sales director for Barratt Southern Counties, added: “Chapel Gate is one of those developments that ticks all the boxes and as a result we have already received a lot of interest from local homebuyers.”