More than 50 people attended the event, including town mayor Leslie Webber, East Hampshire District Council chief executive Sandy Hopkins and the executive director of the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership Kathy Slack. There was a guided tour of the show home and new visitor centre.
The Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company said the centre housed a scale model of the town and details of the regeneration programme. Will Phair, sales manager at Taylor Wimpey South Thames, spoke about how a new range of amenities, schools and infrastructure, would support Dukes Quarter and further housing planned for Prince Philip Park. Dukes Quarter will comprise 172 flats and houses, just off the new relief road.
With a range of two to four-bedroom homes and the green space of Hogmoor Inclosure just across the road, it was said to be “suitable for many types of homebuyer”. Prices start from £212,000.
Dukes Quarter is the first phase of housing at Prince Philip Park. This development is a joint venture between Dorchester Regeneration and Taylor Wimpey which trade together as the Regeneration Company.
The company said it was committed to providing “a broad range of new housing to meet the full range of market demand”, including affordable, private, for rent, for military, housing targeted at the over 65s and 75s, custom build and self build.
The plan is to develop 2,400 homes on site at a rate of 300 to 400 per year.
“The launch of Dukes Quarter is a key milestone on the roadmap for Prince Philip Park,” James Child, project lead at the Regeneration Company, said.
“There has already been a strong level of interest in these quality homes. We are delighted that people who have recently reserved will be moving in to homes this summer. Housing at Dukes Quarter is being delivered alongside the new Mill Chase Academy school which will open in September next year.
“BOSC’s (Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Club) sport and community events facility opens in September this year.
“Hogmoor Park, on Dukes Quarter’s doorstep, is a tremendous facility and very popular. This is a very exciting time for us and the local community.”
Ferris Cowper, the district council’s portfolio-holder for Whitehill and Bordon, said: “This is another exciting step forward in the regeneration of Whitehill and Bordon. These are the first homes to be opened to the public on Prince Philip Park - the largest of the sites being transformed by this partnership.
“These fantastic homes combine with the new infrastructure and job opportunities to provide perfect economic balance for a successful, sustainable community. The new residents, who will soon be moving into these homes in Prince Philip Park, will also be able to enjoy the town’s vibrant new town centre, with a new shopping centre, leisure centre and a health hub.”