An ambitious five-year affordable housebuilding programme in Poundbury has been completed.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the handover of the final phase of affordable new Stonewater homes in Poundbury’s North East Quadrant.

The social housing provider’s completion has helped deliver 72 homes in Poundbury for low-cost rent and affordable shared ownership.

Financed by Stonewater, the properties were developed in partnership with West Dorset District Council, The Duchy of Cornwall and regional contractors CG Fry & Son and Morrish Builders.

The North East Quadrant is the third phase of the Duchy development which when completed in 2022, will provide a mix of 505 new homes, commercial premises, a public park and community facilities. By 2025, with the addition of the North West Quadrant, Poundbury will expand to at least 2,200 homes.

Stonewater’s most recently completed mini-scheme in the North East Quadrant offers eight three-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom coach house for affordable rent, and four three-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom coach house for low-cost shared ownership.

Jonathan Layzell, Stonewater’s executive director for development said: "We’re delighted to have completed this significant affordable house-building programme in the North East Quadrant with the support of The Duchy of Cornwall, the council and our construction partners.

"With second-home ownership and wealthy incomers inflating the housing market in the Dorchester area, it’s becoming extremely difficult for people – particularly young families – to afford a place to live in the local community. We hope our Poundbury homes are helping to address this problem and that this most recently completed Stonewater development will provide 14 local families with a fantastic home of their own, close to their family and friends this Christmas.”

This latest Stonewater housing scheme has also provided six local apprentice placements in a variety of roles, including carpentry and bricklaying.

Ben Murphy, estate director for the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “The Duchy of Cornwall is committed to delivering a vibrant mixed-use community in Poundbury with a wide range of high quality housing to meet local housing need, and we are proud to deliver 35 per cent affordable housing for people and families on the local housing register. I am delighted that Stonewater has managed to provide six local apprentice placements throughout the construction of these magnificent properties, helping meet two of the key principles of Poundbury, to create local jobs and to support traditional building and craftsmanship.”

Councillor Tim Yarker, West Dorset District Council’s portfolio holder for housing, added: “It is fantastic that Stonewater has managed to build so many high quality, affordable homes on this one site in the last five years. Affordable housing makes an essential contribution to the sustainability of the local community and assists in fulfilling local housing need.

“I’d like to thank Stonewater for their contribution, and look forward to working with them in future developments.”