Work has begun on one of the plethora of new housing estates set to spring up around Four Marks and Medstead.

Bellway is building 60 houses on a seven-acre site off Lymington Bottom. It gained planning permission for what it is calling Mount Royal Gardens from East Hampshire District Council last October.

Sales managerJon Rance said: “This site offers a wonderful opportunity to create a highly desirable place to live.”

Mr Rance promised open space, tree-lined roads, cycleways, pathways and a playground for children aged four to eight.

There will be 24 affordable houses - 17 for rent and seven shared ownership - among the range of one to four-bedroom homes.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The first houses will go on the market this summer and will be completed by this winter.