THE largest new housing estate to be built in Wareham for more than two decades is nearing completion.

Consisting of 153 homes, including 76 affordable housing properties, the development should be finished by the summer.

Bloor Homes, the company behind the scheme, is currently working on the last few remaining plots.

When completed Westgate, which is located next to Wareham Common at the western edge of the town, will also include a children's play area and further areas of public open space.

The development also includes a large Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), of Holme Lane, which boasts footpaths and picnic areas.

Bloor Homes Southern regional sales director Kim Willcock said: "We are extremely proud to have provided this much-needed range of new housing for Wareham, in what is the largest new homes development to be built in the town for decades.

"We were very mindful of the significance of this development to Wareham and worked extremely closely with local planners to ensure we designed a scheme which complemented its surroundings and provided a fitting gateway to the town."

There are only three homes remaining for sale on the estate, and as part of the Section 106 agreement the developers provided more than £1.08 million towards local infrastructure.

Kim said: "Our vision was to create a garden suburb style development with its own distinctive identity, influenced by the design features of existing properties in the local area, and we are delighted with the result.

"Thanks to its desirable and convenient location, and the pent-up demand for new build homes in the area, Westgate has proved an extremely popular development with buyers and a strong sense of community has already been fostered among residents.

"More than 70 per cent of purchasers at Westgate have used help to buy to secure their new home, showing that the scheme has proved particularly helpful to people looking to get on or move up the property ladder in this part of the country."