AN ETHICAL developer and landlord has pledged to develop 9,500 homes by 2023.

Aster Group, whose local offices are in West Street, Poole, is pledging to build around 1,350 homes a year for the next seven years.

The firm, which employs 1,300 people across the south, says this will put its future production of new homes at the same level as many major regional housebuilders.

Amanda Williams, group development director, said: “We have been working extensively to re-shape our business, switching our focus to concentrate more than ever on developing new homes.

“Building 9,500 new homes between now and 2023 equates to delivering an average of three new homes every day. We know that may sound ambitious, but setting ourselves this bold target shows just how determined we are to see that enough new homes are built.”

Aster, who run social and supported housing across Dorset and the New Forest, as well as building affordable housing and shared ownership schemes, says it will also be much more proactive about reviewing the future of existing homes, including selling those which are no longer economical to keep.

Ms Williams said: “We are constantly reviewing our existing housing portfolio to ensure it is performing in the most efficient way. For example, if we identify an ageing property which is coming to the end of its useful life and will be expensive to either maintain or refurbish, we will take a much more commercial approach to deciding its future.”

“That could mean selling the property and reinvesting the sale receipt back into our forward development programme, or replacing it with modern new housing – especially if the site can accommodate more than one home.”