DETAILS of plans for the construction of more than 100 ‘affordable’ homes either side of a Poole primary school have been made public.

BCP Council has launched a consultation on the second part of its multi-million scheme for the Hillbourne site, having already approved the rebuild of the school.

The project has been welcomed by ward councillor Judy Butt who said it marked the end of "long, hard and sometimes bitter" battle.

Plans to redevelop the Kitchener Crescent site were first approved by the now-abolished Poole council in 2018 to fund the £9 million rebuild of the school.

It followed concerns the previous school buildings were “no longer fit-for-purpose”.

The project using the edges of the school grounds to build about 100 homes, the proceeds of which would cover about half the costs of the work.

Planning permission for the replacement of the school buildings has already been granted and the council said the scheme was “progressing well”.

Work is expected to be completed in time for a September reopening.

And it is now progressing the second part of the project, having put together its plans for the new housing through Poole Housing Partnership, its arm’s length management organisation.

They include the construction of 110 new homes, of which 29 would be one-bedroom independent living apartments.

The remainder would be a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes.

The council said these would all be made available on an ‘affordable’ basis through a mix of rent and shared ownership.

“We are committed to delivering much needed affordable housing for local people including good quality family homes and accommodation suitable for older residents,” cabinet member for housing, councillor Bob Lawton said.

Poole Housing Partnership has launched its consultation on the proposals and is expected to submit its planning application next month.

It said that, subject to securing planning permission, it is aiming to start construction in May next year and have it completed by the summer of 2024.

Poole council had aimed for an October 2021 completion date when it first green lit the development.