Vistry Group, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, has agreed transactions to enable the delivery of a fully affordable 125-home development in Funtley, Hampshire. Vistry has completed the simultaneous land acquisition of the 15.94-hectare site from specialist land agency Reside and the forward sale of 119 homes to long-standing housing association partner Abri.
The site benefits from full planning permission secured from Fareham Borough Council in September 2023 for 119 affordable homes - 60% for shared ownership and 40% for affordable rent - alongside outline planning permission for six custom-build homes. Abri will use its own funding alongside grant funding from is Strategic Partnership with Homes England (the government’s housing and delivery agency), to make all the homes affordable.
The development will feature a broad mix of homes to support diverse local housing needs, from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses. These homes will be fully electric, equipped with EV charging points and will be constructed using timber frames built in Vistry’s off-site manufacturing facility.
With these deals now completed, a start on site is targeted for summer 2025, with the first completions anticipated in summer 2026 and final handovers expected by August 2027.
Beyond the homes themselves, the scheme will deliver significant community and environmental benefits including a 12.5-hectare community park with 12 dedicated public parking spaces for community park visitors and, subject to demand, a future community building.
Vistry will also deliver accessibility improvements on the site, including the creation of a new, fully accessible public right of way for pedestrians and cyclists, the widening of an existing off-site footpath into Funtley and the relocation of a bus stop into the site for improved access.
Trevor Wicks, Managing Director for Vistry Southern, said:
"We’re proud to continue our successful partnership with Abri at Funtley in Hampshire, which will combine the best of sustainable development, partnership working, and placemaking. With 100% affordable housing, a new country park, and off-site timber frame construction, we’re delivering real value for Fareham’s future residents and the wider community."
Jon Tulloch, Senior Land Manager at Abri, commented:
“Building 119 affordable homes at this development will make a meaningful difference for local people by providing high-quality, secure housing within a well-connected community. We’re grateful to Vistry for their continued collaboration and the strong partnership approach that has helped bring this development forward. This marks another important step toward Abri’s commitment to building 10,000 homes by 2030, with a strong focus on creating well designed, sustainable homes that support thriving communities.”