Romsey & Southampton North MP hosted at new Cupernham Lane affordable housing scheme

Local MP, Caroline Nokes was hosted by leading housing association, VIVID, at its new affordable housing development in Cupernham Lane, Romsey. The development is being delivered on a site that previously featured the home of football legend, Kevin Keegan. 

VIVID, the country’s fifth biggest builder amongst housing associations, is redeveloping the former Oxlease House site together with its partner, Imperial Homes, at a time when there’s a significant housing waiting list across Test Valley. The new development, intended to be known as Rays Field in future, is supported with funding from Homes England and will include 35 new homes of which 21 will be available for social rent.  The other 14 homes will be designated for shared ownership. 

With the addition of the homes on this site, it will take the housing association’s stock in the Test Valley local authority area to over 1,000. 

Caroline Nokes, Member of Parliament for Romsey & Southampton North said: 

“I was very impressed to hear about Vivid Homes' commitment to the highest standards in their new shared ownership and social rented scheme at Rays Field. The design of the homes was lovely, and I was so pleased to see the inclusion of a wide variety of environmental measures.   

It was also great to meet Nina -- and hear about her career journey as a woman in the construction industry.  For the last few years, I have been a judge of the annual Women in Construction Awards, and I was so pleased to hear about a local employer making sure there are top quality opportunities in the sector 

John Crapper, VIVID’s Head of Construction, said: 

“We were really pleased to update Caroline on the progress that’s being made with this development, which once completed will make a positive contribution to the existing stock of shared ownership and social rent homes locally. We also valued the chance to speak to Caroline about some of the current challenges we’re facing when looking to provide more new affordable homes.” 

Ben Olds, Director of Imperial Homes, which is responsible for constructing the development, added: 

“It was great to welcome Caroline to the site and to show her some of the homes that we’re completing.  We also appreciated the opportunity to talk about our partnership with VIVID, which is making a difference at a time when there’s such a crucial need for affordable housing in the area.” 

It’s expected that the first homes will be available from early next year with the whole development due to be completed by the end of 2025.