WORK has started on repairing and renovating more than 200 Ministry of Defence (MoD) houses at St Lucia Park in Bordon abandoned by the Army in 2015.

Firefighters from Bordon and Liphook were called to a blaze in the kitchen and dining area of one of them at 8.18am on March 17. They used two sets of breathing apparatus and a hose reel to extinguish it by 9.21am.

This was the culmination of mounting vandalism, which was raised at a Whitehill Town Council meeting in January after complaints from two residents. One described St Lucia Park as "an eyesore, an embarrassing landmark which feeds long-held pre-conceptions of the town".

The MoD declared the leased houses surplus to requirements in 2017 and they were handed back to their owner Annington Homes yesterday (Wednesday). Annington’s contractors are now assessing the damage, making the houses safe and secure and preparing to make them fit for rent by civilian families. Some should be ready next year but those requiring significant repair will not be finished until 2021.

Richard Sewter, assistant head of accommodation plans and requirements at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said: "It’s unfortunate that a number of these houses were damaged by vandals despite significant preventative measures put in place.

"However, we’re pleased that despite this these houses will have a new role in the community as homes for local families." Cllr Ferris Cowper, East Hampshire District Council’s Whitehill and Bordon portfolio holder, said: "It’s not healthy to have 200 homes left unoccupied for an extended period.

"Putting these homes back on the market will breathe new life into the area as families move in to contribute to the local economy and the community.

"It is going to require a significant investment by Annington but we will be working with them as they work on readying St Lucia Park for the next chapter in its story."