Work begins on Cala Homes’ Knightwood Chase development in Fordingbridge after Roman and Iron Age village discovery

WORK has started on a new housing development on the Forest site where a 2,000-year-old Roman village was found.

Knightwood Chase, a 198-home development in Fordingbridge, includes 42 new affordable properties. Of these, 28 homes will be allocated to renters on New Forest District Council’s housing register, while 14 will be available for shared ownership.

As reported in the A&T, the cost of the archaeological survey for the development soared from a budgeted £53,000 to more than £1m following archaeological digging.

Evidence of the previous village, which also contains remains from the late Iron Age, included more than 20 buildings and features such as bread ovens, storage and rubbish pits.

The new homes include new sustainable technology including solar PV panels and air source heat pumps on selected plots, with electric vehicle charging points available for all residents across the development.

The 17-hectare site will also provide new pedestrian and cycle routes and over nine hectares of new public open space.

Properties will also have bird and bat boxes, hedgehog friendly fencing, and bee bricks to support local wildlife.

NFDC’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, Cllr Steve Davies, and cabinet member for planning and economy, Cllr Derek Tipp, recently visited the site to see the progress.

Cllr Davies said: “We know how important affordable housing is for local people, and this development is a fantastic example of how we are increasing the supply of high-quality homes.

“By offering both rental and shared ownership options, we’re ensuring that more residents have the opportunity to stay in the area and live in homes that are modern, comfortable, and affordable.”

Cala Homes’ affordable homes manager Claire Studdart said: “We’re very proud to bring high quality affordable housing to Fordingbridge.

“Addressing local housing need means providing a range of fantastic homes available through a range of tenures for future residents, and we’re so pleased to have achieved that in partnership with New Forest District Council.

“Our commitment to the local area reaches beyond delivering homes. Through our community pledge, we look forward to our collaboration with local residents to provide further support for Fordingbridge.”