BUILDING work is now under way on an affordable housing development in Bournemouth, where councillors once clashed over the value of the site.

After purchasing the former Leybourne House care home in Northbourne for £360,000, BCHA has now started work on building 24 two-bedroom flats there.

The £3million development has been welcomed by Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns and Conservative councillor for Redhill and Northbourne David d’Orton-Gibson, who visited recently to view the plans.

Mr Burns said: “This addition to Bournemouth’s affordable social housing stock already has the makings of a great facility and I was pleased to see the progress that has so quickly been made on the site. I look forward to seeing the finished flats in due course.”

BCHA secured more than £560,000 of funding for the development from the Homes and Communities Agency, which is part of the Government’s affordable homes programme.

Bruce Voss, HCA area manager, said: “Bournemouth is not unusual in facing high demand for good quality affordable homes and we have worked closely with partners to help them get to the stage where building has started.

“It’s great to see work get underway on this project and I am sure it will be welcomed in Bournemouth when it is completed next year.” But Cllr Sue Levell, the Independent member for Redhill and Northbourne, pictured left, who initially questioned the sale price, said she was still concerned the council had not got best value for the 4,000 square metre plot in Western Avenue.

She said: “I’m glad we are getting much-needed affordable housing in the area but my concern’s that the site was sold too cheaply and without being put on the open market or up for tender remain.

“The council has a duty to residents to get best value for their assets and there’s no evidence that happened here.”

BCHA hope to complete the new development by the end of next March.

The flats will be in four blocks and each is designed to accommodate three people.