Hampshire-headquartered Bargate Homes has launched its 34-acre Rivercross development in the Hampshire village of Warsash. The £128m project will create a new community of 352 eco-focused family homes at the mouth of the River Hamble, less than a mile from the world-famous Warsash Maritime Academy.
Accessed off Brook Lane, which is a main route to the peninsular village, the development is positioned in a sustainable location with bus routes close by, and Swanwick train station situated two miles away. The heart of the local boating community – and picturesque views and walks along the River Hamble and Southampton Water – are within moments of the unique development site.
Bargate Homes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vivid – Hampshire’s largest provider of affordable homes. 40% of the new Rivercross community will be purpose-built for Vivid, for shared ownership and affordable rent. The multi-award-winning housebuilder has begun marketing the first tranche of open market homes, with off-plan prices for the two-, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached family houses ranging from £300,000 to £700,000. A selection of homes will become available for occupation in early 2023.
Mark White, Managing Director of Bargate Homes, said: “We are immensely privileged to be delivering this outstanding new development, providing much-needed new family homes. Located at the point where the River Hamble meets Southampton Water, Rivercross is one of the most prized and picturesque major developments currently being undertaken across the whole of the UK.
“This £128m project has been in the planning and meticulous pre-construction stage for over four years. Extensive consultation with Fareham Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, a variety of additional stakeholders, and local people, has taken place during that time to ensure the benefits this scheme will deliver to the maritime community are fully maximised. Creating new habitats for local wildlife and delivering net biodiversity gains are a key characteristic of the design-led scheme.
“Work on site is progressing well and we are looking forward to unveiling Rivercross to the public for the first time in early 2023.”
Outline planning permission for the expansive development was granted in February 2021, with the detailed Reserved Matters applications being considered subsequently for each distinct phase. The 352 homes will be delivered in a total of five phases; Rivercross Phase One; Rivercross Phase Two; Marlow Walk at Rivercross; Herons Quarter at Rivercross; and a final phase – Admirals Green at Rivercross.
Bargate Homes has worked with nationally acclaimed architects and masterplanners Pegasus to ensure Rivercross fully complements Warsash’s array of traditional residential properties. The design approach for the new homes reflects the two-storey Victorian houses and cottage-style dwellings found locally, featuring pitched roofs and overhanging eaves. Car parking is either provided on plot, via driveways and garage spaces, or within shared parking courtyards. Visitor parking bays will be dispersed across the site, and there will be ample secure cycle storage to encourage cycle ownership and usage.
New public open spaces will be created across each phase of development, enhancing the character of the area, and delivering both recreational and ecological benefits. Green buffer zones will be created around the edge of the development to protect existing on-site ecology and retain and enhance local wildlife corridors. There will also be extensive native tree and shrub planting to benefit local bird populations, and specific ‘green corridors’ created for the local reptile populace. Bat and bird boxes will be installed within the walls of new dwellings.
Rivercross’ main access road – Brook Lane – runs from the nearby Warsash local centre at Shore Road, up past the site to its junction with the A27 at Fareham Community Hospital. The new development is two miles away from the M27, which provides convenient connectivity across the south of England. Southampton city centre is eight miles away from Warsash, while Portsmouth’s historic dockyard is 13 miles away. Nearby Swanwick train station provides regular direct connections to both port cities, and onwards travel to London.
The homes at Rivercross will have a high EPC rating, ensuring future residents can significantly lower their carbon footprint and benefit from energy savings. The bespoke kitchens will feature integrated Neff cooking appliances. Bathrooms will benefit from contemporary white sanitaryware, with Porcelanosa floor and wall tiles. Google Nest learning thermostats, electric vehicle car chargers, and fibre broadband, will all be installed as standard.
Established in 2006, Bargate Homes builds select developments in prime locations within Hampshire, Dorset, and West Sussex. The company is currently delivering 900 homes across six live developments and has a pipeline of future sites expected to deliver in excess of 2,500 new homes.
