A NEW housing development in St Leonards has been named after the famous Victory Oak tree, understood to have been planted by Dwight Eisenhower to celebrate the end of the Second World War.

The scheme, on the site of a derelict former Second World War military hospital, includes 210 new homes and a wildlife habitat to protect threatened species that were once common on this now neglected land.

Some homes on the Victory Oak development are now up for sale, with two, three and four bedroom homes available.

And now the Sovereign housing development has been awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) highly commended certificate for the Excellence in Spatial Planning category.

The Victory Oak project was shortlisted by the RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence because of the outstanding collaboration demonstrated throughout the development.

The site’s been developed with ecology in mind and Sovereign’s worked hard, alongside other agencies and organisations to maintain and preserve the natural environment.

Linda Bonnin, development director, said: "We’re proud of the collaboration and environmental work that has taken place at the site and being awarded the highly commended certificate is an honour for everyone involved at Victory Oak."

Victory Oak has been developed in collaboration with the Homes and Communities Agency, Johns Associates, East Dorset District Council, Natural England, Forestry Commission England, Welling, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Kendall Kingscott, Tetlow King, White Design and Drew Smith.

Jane Lynch, head of planning at Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “We’re thrilled that the Victory Oak development’s been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute as a high quality scheme.

"The project has brought a derelict hospital site back in use for much needed housing, as well as protecting and enhancing a sensitive environment which provides a very attractive setting for the new residents."

Victory Oak has also been shortlisted for the Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment category at the national RTPI awards.

The winner will be announced on Thursday (June15) during a ceremony at Milton Court Concert Hall, London.