A NEW block of flats has seen "major demand", a housing provider says.

The 113 flat Berry Court scheme, constructed by Bournemouth council private sector partnership the Bournemouth Development Company on the former town centre Berry Court car park, has almost 60 per cent of flats already reserved.

Andy Wooley, market rent project manager at Eastleigh-based Radian, said: "Because we are the long-term landlord of Berry Court we’ve been able to build and design it prioritising the tenant experience.

"Unlike a private landlord who may decide to sell their property or retake ownership of it, we will own Berry Court for many years to come and our tenants can rent from us with secure, long-term tenancies."

A recent report from the Government found that almost half of 25 to 34-year-olds rent their home privately, whilst the number of 35 to 44-year-olds who live as private tenants has nearly doubled in 10 years from 13 per cent to 26 per cent.