Thursday, November 13, 2025
UK’s housing giant Vistry Group has initiated the construction phase of a significant, entirely affordable housing development in Funtley, Hampshire. This ambitious project, delivered in close collaboration with its long-standing partner, the housing association Abri, is set to provide a substantial boost to the local housing supply with 125 new, high-quality, and sustainably built homes. The development, which spans a 15.94-hectare site, will deliver a crucial mix of properties designed to meet varied local needs, including one- to four-bedroom houses and apartments. The core of the scheme comprises 119 fully affordable homes, with the remaining six plots designated for custom-build housing.
Strategic funding fuels affordable delivery
The site acquisition in 2025, facilitated through a transaction with specialist land agency Reside, included the forward sale of the 119 homes to Abri. The development secured full planning permission from Fareham Borough Council in September 2023.
The affordable breakdown of the scheme is carefully balanced to support different community segments: 60% of the affordable homes are allocated for Shared Ownership, providing a vital route to homeownership for those otherwise priced out of the market, and 40% are earmarked for Affordable Rent, offering secure and lower-cost tenancy options.
A critical element enabling the 100% affordable status of the majority of the homes is Abri’s Strategic Partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing and delivery agency. By combining grant funding secured through this partnership with Abri’s own financial investment, the association is ensuring that all 119 units are delivered at an accessible price point for residents.
The Funtley development stands out not just for its scale and affordability, but for its pioneering approach to sustainable construction and energy efficiency.
In a move that aligns with the UK’s net-zero targets and addresses escalating energy costs for residents, every home within the scheme will be fully electric. Furthermore, the construction process itself is highly sustainable, leveraging modern methods of construction (MMC) through the use of timber frames manufactured directly at Vistry’s own off-site facility.
Utilising off-site, prefabricated timber frames significantly accelerates the construction timeline, reduces waste, and enhances the overall build quality and thermal performance of the homes. The superior thermal efficiency of timber frame construction means the new properties will be considerably cheaper to run for residents compared to traditional masonry builds, offering long-term financial benefits.
Each property is also designed for the future of transport, coming fitted with EV charging infrastructure, encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles, and supporting the transition to sustainable living within the new community.
Trevor Wicks, Managing Director for Vistry Southern, commented on the construction launch: “It’s fantastic to see construction now underway on this important fully affordable development in Funtley. Using timber frames manufactured at our own off-site facility, we’re able to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes quickly and sustainably. This marks another step forward in our partnership with Abri to provide much-needed affordable housing across the region, and we’re proud to see the first stages of this new community taking shape.”
Beyond the provision of housing, the Funtley scheme is designed to enhance the wider local environment and community infrastructure. Key community benefits incorporated into the development plan include:
Sally Ingham, Development Director at Abri, highlighted the collaborative and community-focused nature of the project: “We’re proud to be starting work on 119 affordable homes that will make a real difference for local people. These high-quality, sustainable homes will sit within a vibrant community, enhanced by thoughtfully designed green spaces that support wellbeing and biodiversity. This milestone marks another step forward in Abri’s commitment to delivering 10,000 homes by 2030, with a clear focus on sustainability and supporting thriving communities.”
Following the commencement of construction, the project timeline anticipates the first home completions in summer 2026, with the final handovers to Abri and its new residents expected by autumn 2027. This timely delivery schedule, enabled by the use of off-site timber frame construction, is critical for addressing the urgent demand for UK affordable housing in the South East.
The Funtley development represents a successful model for large-scale affordable housing delivery through strategic partnerships and innovative, sustainable construction methods, setting a benchmark for future residential schemes across the UK.
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Tags: Abri Housing Association, Fully Electric Timber Frame Homes, Homes England Grant Funding, Off-Site Timber Frame Construction, Shared Ownership Affordable Rent, UK Affordable Housing Provider
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