FIVE delighted families have moved into a new development of affordable homes in Breamore.

The houses – one three-bedroom and four two-bedroom – were built as part of Project 500 to enable people with local connections to stay in the village.

The houses have been built at the former railway station Breamore Halt.

All the families with homes at the new development were nominated for a home because of a local connection to the village, where high house prices would have meant they struggled to find accommodation before. Rents have been set at between £118 and £130 per week.

The move means families are able to live close to where they have family, friends and strong social and work connections.

The homes have been built on the platform of an old Victorian station closed in the Beeching cuts of 1964. The old track bed is now a designated footpath. A commemorative plaque has been put up, made from a slate salvaged during the building of Breamore Halt.

Project 500 is a Hampshire Senate-led strategy to enable affordable rural housing on county council and other publicly owned land. Project 500 is working in partnership with the Hyde Group as part of the Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing (HARAH).

Representatives from The Hyde Group, the county council, New Forest District Council, New Forest National Park Authority and a number of parish councils joined residents as they celebrated moving into their new homes.

Chris Buchan-Hepburn, head of new business and HARAH lead at Hyde, said: “I am very pleased with the development; it has kept the spirit of the station alive and helped local families to live in the village they think of as home.

“Peter Turner, chairman of the parish council, has worked very hard to help this project happen and we are immensely grateful for his dedication and hard work.”

Councillor Jill Cleary said: “The accommodation is absolutely superb – the attention to detail is beautiful.”

Councillor Edward Heron said: “There isn’t any other affordable accommodation within the village – it’s a very desirable village and so prices are high. This is a way where young families can stay in the area.”