£10m build to rent scheme comes onto market
An affordable housing specialist has completed a £10m scheme in Dorset.
The AJC Group has completed the four-storey Build to Rent apartment scheme, located on Wimborne Road in Poole.
The development is made up of 35 one- and two-bedroom apartments, which have all been placed on the rental market.
Over 90 per cent of the homes have already had a letting agreed, with only two apartments currently available.
Accessed via Wimborne Road, the 0.66-acre brownfield site was formerly the site of a disused commercial premise.
It was allocated for residential development in 2021, helping to meet Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council’s housing needs. The site remediation and construction programme took 18 months to complete, and the scheme was funded by AJC Group and a private investor.
David Cracklen, director of AJC Group, said: “This apartment scheme is our fourth in quick succession in Poole, providing much-needed energy-efficient new homes for this highly popular town – which is also where our office is located. Wimborne Road is in a great location and the development promotes a sustainable way of living, as it is within walking distance to lots of shops and local facilities.
“Purpose-built rental schemes offer several advantages and are rapidly increasing in popularity. Each of the 35 new Wimborne Road apartments include high quality furnishings, alongside on-site facilities. The professionally landscaped garden space and communal EV charging points are available to use by all residents.”
AJC Group’s development has 40 private designated parking spaces, as well as bike storage available for each dwelling. 25 of the apartments benefit from a private balcony or terrace. Each home has been fitted with oak-effect luxury vinyl tile flooring and high-quality Abingdon carpets, to reduce sound transmission. Bathrooms feature contemporary white sanitaryware and ceramic tiling.
Paul Johnson, from Frost & Co Estate Agents, who is marketing the Wimborne Road development, said: “As soon as these apartments were placed onto the rental market, they were incredibly popular, due to the quality of the accommodation and the sought-after location. This development is ideal for a young professional working in the Dorset area, as the transport links are so good, and the high specification interiors are very smart. It has been a pleasure to work with AJC Group and we look forward to seeing the scheme fully occupied very soon.”
AJC Group is on track to deliver over 200 mixed-tenure homes during 2023, reflecting a total construction value in excess of £100m. The firm has become one of the most active residential development specialists across the Wessex region.
Seven schemes are currently under construction by AJC Group, including sites in the villages of Okeford Fitzpaine and Hazelbury Bryan, both near Blandford Forum. Developments on Lindsay Road, The Sloop, and Herbert Avenue, are all located in Poole. The company has also recently started construction at one of its largest projects, which will deliver 57 affordable houses and apartments for Aster Group within the former Dorchester Brewery regeneration scheme.
