Montgomerie Rise, a new development of 27 affordable homes in Barton-on-Sea has officially been handed over to VIVD by property developers AJC Group. The completion marks the successful transformation of the former NHS Becton Centre into much-needed affordable housing in The New Forest and the culmination of the first partnership between the two organisations.
Located on The Fairway, Montgomerie Rise comprises 27 two-bedroom apartments built on a previously vacant brownfield site. Delivered as part of AJC Group’s ‘500 in 5’ mission to provide 500 affordable homes across the Wessex region within five years, the development incorporates air-source heat pumps, EV charging, Biodiversity Net Gain measures, landscaped communal gardens and cycle storage to create energy-efficient homes in a sustainable coastal setting.
AJC Group acquired the former Becton Centre site and secured planning permission for its redevelopment before partnering with VIVID to deliver the affordable housing scheme. Construction began in 2025 following an official groundbreaking ceremony, with the completed development now handed over to the not-for-profit housing association.
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The name Montgomerie Rise was chosen by local schoolchildren following a community competition involving New Milton Infant School and New Milton Junior School, recognising the area’s historical links to Roger de Montgomerie while reflecting the development’s connection with the local community.
David Cracklen, Director at AJC Group, said: “Developments like Montgomerie Rise don’t happen overnight. They are the result of years of hard work. Bringing forward brownfield regeneration projects takes patience, commitment and a willingness to work closely with local stakeholders to refine proposals and create the right development for the area.
“To now see this former vacant site transformed into much-needed homes is incredibly rewarding, and a real testament to the dedication of everyone involved. Completing our first project with VIVID makes the achievement even more special, and we’re proud to have established what we hope will be a long and successful partnership.”
Sunita Aujla, Land and New Business Director at VIVID, said: “Every new home we build has the potential to change someone’s future, so it’s fantastic to see Montgomerie Rise complete. This development has transformed a vacant site into much-needed homes and will give local people a safe, secure place to call home and make their own. We’re proud to have worked with AJC to bring this scheme to life and look forward to seeing a thriving community grow here in the years ahead.”
Montgomerie Rise is one of several affordable housing developments being delivered by AJC Group across the region. The company is currently constructing new affordable homes as part of regeneration projects in Bournemouth town centre and Boscombe, alongside developments in Dorchester and Sturminster Newton, with further schemes progressing through planning across the South.
