NEW sports facilities are being built as part of a luxury housing scheme springing up on the coast.

The award-winning Lymington Shores complex will include a new base for the town’s rowing club which has been part of the community since 1881.

Dubbed the biggest development in the town for 60 years, Lymington Shores will comprise almost 170 homes, plus shops and an art gallery.

One of the new sports facilities - an 80-metre pontoon - has already been handed over to Lymington Harbour Commissioners by Redrow Homes.

Redrow is also planning to build a clubhouse for the rowers and a waterfront restaurant that will provide diners with panoramic views of the Lymington River.

The overall package will cost more than £1 million.

Lymington harbourmaster Ryan Willegers said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the new pontoon and the benefits it will bring to Lymington Amateur Rowing Club.

“The pontoon provides low-level access to the river at all states of tide, which means members will be able to launch and recover with ease."

Mark Vanson, sales director at Redrow Homes, described the completion of the pontoon as a “milestone” in the construction of the Lymington Shores scheme.

The development includes one and two-bedroom apartments.