A DEVELOPMENT of 12 new affordable homes will get underway next year.

An application to build the houses on land east of Pamber Heath Road has been given the green light by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council with the developer now outlining its timeframe.

It is planned once the houses are built they will be reserved for local people for shared ownership or sub-market rent.

The application, submitted by Hastoe Housing Association, was supported by Pamber Parish Council, which wished to see more affordable housing delivered in the village.

Chair of the parish council, Councillor Chris Goss, said: “I am personally very pleased that a long-held ambition of the parish council to provide affordable homes for local people had finally been achieved.

“We are grateful to both Hastoe Housing and the Rural Housing Enabler for all the support and help that they have given.”

The planning application was first submitted in August last year but was amended after feedback from residents and the highways authority.

Work is expected to begin in spring 2019 on the site.

Scheme advocates say the new site will help the new residents integrate with the community of Pamber Heath.

A planning report put before the borough council read: “In terms of whether the proposal could integrate with the existing community, the site layout would physically connect to the settlement policy boundary to the north through footpaths and the access road.

“This would also provide access to services and facilities within the local community and beyond.”

The new development will be built to the highly energy-efficient AECB Building Standard, reducing fuel bills for occupants.

Karen Hillhouse, from Hastoe Housing Association, said: “We have been working with Pamber Parish Council and the Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing for the past few years to bring forward a site for affordable homes in the parish.

“We are delighted to receive planning consent to build 12 much needed affordable homes on the land east of Pamber Heath Road.

“We will be providing a mix of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership for people with a local connection to Pamber parish.”