Planners have given the green light to 69 new homes in Havant.

Persimmon Homes aims to start work on the site, on St Georges Avenue in February, following approval by Havant Borough Council.

Matt Paine, managing director of Persimmon South Coast, said: “We are very pleased to secure planning consent for this scheme, which will deliver much-needed new homes, including 20 designated as affordable homes for local people.”

The development, to be known as St Georges Keep, will include 69 homes, ranging from two to five bedrooms, a publicly accessible play area and £150,000 towards improvements to the A27 roundabout.

“Of particular significance at this site are financial contributions towards wintering bird strategies and nitrate neutrality, demonstrating our determination to support local environmental diversity,” added Matt.

Councillor Gary Hughes, Deputy Leader of Havant Borough Council and Cabinet Lead for Planning, Hayling Seafront Strategy, Commercial Services welcomed the decision to approve planning for this site.

He said: “The nutrient nitrogen issue and coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on house-building across our borough. 

“Our innovative mitigation scheme enables previously stalled approvals to recommence and as COVID restrictions are lifted, house-building to be accelerated.  

“There is a strong demand for all types of properties, and this mixed development addresses the majority of those needs.  I look forward to the development coming forward at pace.” 

Additional financial contributions will be made towards the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and a Community Warden for the area.

Initial work has commenced on site with an archaeological survey under way, with the development show home due to open in the Autumn.

Potential buyers are invited to register their interest in the homes via the Persimmon Homes website – www.persimmonhomes.com – to be first to find out when properties are released for sale.