The number of homes built represents an investment of £160 million in new housing projects over the past 12 months. Of the total, 478 were for social or affordable rent and 339 for shared ownership, with the remaining 111 built for open market sale.
This level of output is down on the 1,067 homes built the previous year, on an investment of more than £210 million.
During the year to March 31 2021, Aster contracted sites in several new local authority areas for the business, including Reigate and Banstead, Surrey, and Cherwell, Oxfordshire.
Its other key sites include its latest joint venture development with Vistry Homes – a 130-unit scheme at Kilnwood Vale, Horsham with 65 sales already agreed. And during the period it completed and handed over Chagford, a Community Land Trust (CLT) scheme of 28 homes, to local residents. This is Aster’s first National Park development, with the scheme situated in Dartmoor National Park.
Amanda Williams, Aster’s group development director, said: "We’ve been ambitious and had an incredibly successful year for our development programme, despite the challenges facing the entire housing industry. The next few years will be critical in redressing the inequalities exposed over the last 12 months for those still looking to find a home in a place they want to live, and the 2,980 homes in our pipeline will play no small part. Access to quality, affordable housing is a fundamental right that many are still deprived of and we’re well-positioned and determined to play a key role in changing that.”
Aster Group owns and manages more than 32,000 homes across the south of England. In June, it announced a merger with the London-based Central and Cecil, which specialises in providing affordable housing and care for the over 55s.
The amalgamation is subject to final business case approval later this year.
