Vistry Secures Deals with Abri to Deliver Nearly 200 Affordable Homes Across Hampshire
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure homebuilder, has strengthened its commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis by finalising two major agreements with Abri, one of the South’s largest housing providers. Together, these deals will deliver almost 200 much-needed affordable homes across Hampshire, providing high-quality housing options for local people and supporting the county’s broader regeneration ambitions.
In Funtley, near Fareham, Vistry has concluded a simultaneous land acquisition and forward sale arrangement that paves the way for a significant affordable housing development. The 15.94-hectare site was acquired from specialist land promoter Reside Group and comes with full planning consent for 119 affordable homes plus outline permission for six custom-build plots. Fareham Borough Council approved these plans in September 2024, enabling Vistry and Abri to push ahead with their shared vision for a sustainable new community.
Of the 119 affordable homes, 60% will be delivered through shared ownership to help first-time buyers and local families onto the housing ladder, while the remaining 40% will be available for affordable rent, providing secure, good-quality homes for those who need them most. The development will offer a diverse range of property types, including one-bedroom apartments and spacious four-bedroom houses, to cater to varying household sizes and needs.
Vistry is prioritising sustainability in Funtley by ensuring all homes will be fully electric and fitted with electric vehicle charging points. The houses will be constructed using precision-engineered timber frames manufactured off-site at Vistry’s own facility, enhancing build efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Alongside high-quality homes, the project will deliver significant community and ecological benefits, including a new 12.5-hectare community park. This green space will feature dedicated parking for visitors and, if required, a new community building to serve local residents.
With the land purchase and forward sale now finalised, construction at the Funtley site is scheduled to commence in summer 2025. Vistry expects the first completions to take place by summer 2026, with all homes handed over to Abri and their future residents by August 2027.
Meanwhile, in East Hampshire, Vistry has agreed the forward sale of 73 affordable homes to Abri at Bordon, one of the county’s most ambitious regeneration areas. This site forms Phase 4 of the wider Whitehill & Bordon project, a transformative £1 billion programme aimed at reshaping the former military garrison town into a flourishing, sustainable green town.
Vistry acquired the Phase 4 site in January 2025. It has outline planning permission in place for 146 new homes, half of which will now be designated as affordable housing thanks to the agreement with Abri. This commitment represents a substantial boost to local affordable housing provision, ensuring that as Bordon grows, new and existing residents benefit from inclusive and accessible housing options.
A reserved matters planning application has been submitted to East Hampshire District Council, with a decision expected soon. If approved, construction is anticipated to start in October 2025, with the first affordable homes ready for new residents by July 2026.
The Bordon development is central to Whitehill & Bordon’s wider regeneration vision, which aims to deliver over 3,000 new homes, new schools, a revitalised town centre, employment opportunities, and enhanced green infrastructure. The regeneration programme seeks to create a sustainable and thriving community that supports local people for generations to come.
Both the Funtley and Bordon schemes will be funded by Abri, which will combine its own investment with grant funding from its Strategic Partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing delivery agency. This partnership ensures that the developments will provide genuinely affordable homes that meet rigorous quality and sustainability standards.
Trevor Wicks, Managing Director for Vistry Southern, welcomed the two deals, highlighting the importance of collaborative working in delivering sustainable communities:
“We’re proud to continue our successful partnership with Abri in Hampshire, which combines the best of sustainable development, partnership working, and placemaking. With 100% affordable housing, a new country park, and off-site timber frame construction, our Funtley development will deliver real value for Fareham’s future residents and the wider community.”
He added:
“We’re also very pleased to extend our close relationship with Abri at the next phase of development at Bordon. This agreement ensures that affordable, high-quality homes will be delivered in the heart of a thriving new community, helping to meet long-term housing need and contribute to the area’s ongoing regeneration.”
Jon Tulloch, Senior Land Manager at Abri, praised the Funtley scheme:
“Building 119 affordable homes at this development in Funtley 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.”
Steve Taylor, Head of Land and Planning at Abri, commented on the Bordon project:
“We’re proud to be delivering 73 affordable homes as part of Phase 4 of the Bordon development, ensuring that 50% of the new homes will be genuinely affordable. This is a significant contribution to the area, providing sustainable homes that meet local needs and support an inclusive community. We look forward to continuing our work with Vistry to bring these homes forward and create a place where people and families can thrive.”
Together, these agreements demonstrate the critical role that partnerships between developers and housing providers play in tackling the housing crisis and building better places to live across the South of England.
