Hundreds of homes in 6,000-home eco-village approved

The heat-pump technology at Welborne Garden Village will draw water from Portsmouth Water’s underground Hoads Hill Reservoir. 

The homes will range in size from one to five bedrooms and include apartments, terraced houses and semi-detached and detached properties.

Master developer Buckland formed a joint venture with three house builders – Pye Homes, Thakeham and CG Fry – to deliver the 6,000-home scheme. 

Seán Woodward, executive leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “I proposed the building of the new community now known as Welborne Garden Village two decades ago.

“I am delighted that the vision of Buckland and Fareham Borough Council for an amazing 21st-century community in a very high-quality environment that will be green in every sense of the word will now see the first homes provided for local residents.”

The first phase of Welborne Garden Village also includes the construction of four schools, a doctor’s surgery, shops, parks and a pub.

The wider design includes publicly accessible green spaces, woodland, parks, allotments and sports facilities, covering a total of 180 hectares.

Welborne was among 14 new garden villages across England the government announced in 2017, as part of a plan to create “distinct locations” rather than extensions to existing towns or villages.

Mark Thistlethwayte, chairman of Buckland Group, said: “After almost two decades in planning, I am delighted that the first homes will be built at Welborne this year, and we hope to welcome our first residents this winter.” 

Pye Homes and Thakeham will build the first homes.

Mr Thistlethwayte said he expected a third planning application for homes set to be built by CG Fry to be greenlit in the coming weeks.