"Its's the perfect place to enjoy our retirement" The very first residents move into new ecotown at Welborne

Robert and Jane Locke, who have both recently retired, have become the very first residents to move into the garden village and cannot wait to see how it all shapes up in the future - praising the developer’s vision of making the development to the south of Wickham green and sustainable.

Robert, a former solicitor who ran his own road transport-focused practice in Fareham, and Jane, who worked as a primary school teacher, had long admired the vision and plans for Welborne.

Having lived in both new builds and older homes that required extensive work, the couple were drawn to Welborne’s elegant architecture, green spaces and early delivery of a vibrant village centre, with the comfort and convenience of high-quality modern construction.

Sign up for The News’ free emails and let the day’s headlines come to you

Jane said: “We have lived in homes that needed a lot of work to make them enjoyable, so the idea of moving into a brand-new home that was ready for us was very appealing. Welborne has been on our radar for years, and we could not wait to be part of something so special.”

Robert added: “We were attracted by the plans for a beautiful village centre and the Georgian-style architecture. Being the first residents here feels like a privilege. We are excited to see the community grow and to play a part in shaping it.”

The Lockes had been following Welborne since its earliest inception nearly 20 years ago. When the opportunity finally came to reserve a home, they were quick to act and were delighted to buy one of Thakeham’s first homes on the market. Just two miles from their previous house in Fareham, the move was both convenient and exciting.

Robert said: “We have already noticed how much more energy efficient the house is compared to our previous properties. It has been a smooth transition, and moving in was far easier than we expected.”

Jane added: “We love the green spaces and the thought that has gone into the design of the village. It feels like the perfect place to enjoy our retirement, with everything we need close by.”

As previously reported by The News, Welborne Garden Village is a 25-year project to create a new ‘eco-town’. As part of a first phase of the scheme, 700 new homes will be created over the next four to five years, alongside the ongoing £113million project to upgrade junction 10 of the M27 to help cope with traffic flows.

Eventually the new town will have a population equivalent to the size of Petersfield and will boast four new schools, a health care centre, businesses and a ‘village centre’ - as well as the opportunity for a new railway station with land already identified for this use.

Get access to trustworthy local news for a fiver when you sign up for a digital subscription to The News. Support our journalism and get unlimited access to our website. Find out more and sign up today.

Welcoming Robert and Jane to Welborne, Mark Thistlethwayte, the Chairman of Buckland Group and whose vision has spearheaded Welborne from the very beginning, said: “It is a real pleasure to welcome Robert and Jane as our first residents. Their arrival marks an exciting new chapter, and we are delighted to see Welborne come to life with people at its heart, calling Welborne their home.”

Those involved with the Welborne project say it is setting a new standard for modern living by blending heritage-inspired architecture with advanced energy-saving features and a strong sense of community from the beginning.

As Master Developer, Buckland is delivering this vision, shaped by the Design Code set by Town Architect Designer Ben Pentreath OBE and in partnership with housebuilders Thakeham, CG Fry & Son and Pye Homes Blenheim.