Two sites have been put forward for affordable housing as part of the Townhill Park regeneration project. 

Southampton City Council says it has put forward two blocks for bidding with the aim of finding developers to build affordable homes. 

In April, the housing providers that were appointed to the framework in 2023 – Abri Group, Hyde Group, Sovereign Housing Association, and Stonewater Ltd – received a mini-tender for Benhams Road (Plot 5) and Meggeson Avenue shops and residential (Plot 6).

As part of the council's Affordable Housing Framework, those four registered housing providers will now bid to build the properties.

Once the mini tenders have been received, they will be evaluated, and one successful registered housing provider will be appointed for both sites.

READ MORE: Townhill Park plans under review in Southampton

Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council, commented: “The two sites at Townhill Park which have gone out to mini-tender is a great step not only for the Affordable Housing Framework but also for the regeneration of Townhill Park.

“The regeneration is more than just building new homes, it is about creating a better neighbourhood and community for our residents to live and thrive in.

“The Affordable Housing Framework will keep the council committed to providing good quality housing across the city, giving our residents stability and a sense of belonging.”

The mini-tender provides information about the two sites and sets out the council’s aspirations for new affordable housing in the city.

The evaluation process is structured in a way that allows the land to be sold to the housing provider that offers the best overall submission.  

It will contain information including the designs, programme, the number and sizes of homes to be delivered, and the quality of management and maintenance proposed.

The council will then begin legal work which will lead to a formal award to the successful registered provider.

Once appointed, the housing providers will move to the initial design stage before entering a planning application and beginning construction.

This comes after the council launched the Affordable Housing Framework in 2022, with the aim of increasing the amount of affordable housing being delivered in the city, and disposing of some council-owned sites.

In February this year, cabinet approved plans for Plot 2 (which has a boundary of Meggeson Avenue, Townhill Way, Paulet Close and Cutbush Lane) and Plot 9 (Rowlands Walk) in Townhill Park to be the next two sites to go through the tender process.

The expressions of interest for the sites are expected to go out early this summer.