Aerial view of a completed housing development set within green countryside, showing tree-lined boundaries, surrounding fields and a nearby school campus.
Top-down aerial view of a residential street layout with terraced and detached homes, private gardens and parked cars arranged around a central road.
Row of contemporary terraced houses with yellow brick façades, red front doors under small gabled porches, and white-framed windows—lined along a paved walkway with minimal landscaping, reflecting modern suburban housing design.
Row of modern brick houses with white-framed windows and black front doors, each sheltered by a small gabled porch. The street is lined with streetlamps and neat patches of greenery, and the scene is set under a clear, sunny blue sky—evoking a calm, well-kept suburban atmosphere.
White front door numbered 56 set into a red brick façade, featuring a small rectangular window near the top, a silver letterbox, and a door handle with lock. A small white canopy with supporting brackets shelters the entrance. To the right, a black outdoor light is mounted on the wall beside a white-framed window.
Aerial view of a residential area showing a mix of houses and apartments centred around a main road junction, with nearby greenery.
Aerial view showing a housing development next to mature trees and open green space, with homes arranged around gently curving roads.
Row of contemporary brick houses with grey gabled roofs under a bright blue sky, featuring white-framed windows and doors. A streetlamp stands in front of the central home, and each property has a small paved area or pathway leading to the entrance. The uniform layout and clean lines suggest a modern suburban development.
Red front door set in a brick wall, featuring the number 12 in a circular plaque, a square window near the top, silver hardware including a letterbox and handle, and white trim with ornate corbels supporting a small overhang. A black wall light sits to the left and a doorbell is positioned on the right.
Weathered stone statue of Queen Anne atop an ornate pedestal, set against a backdrop of dense green trees—evoking a serene, timeless presence within a garden or parkland setting.
Oblique aerial view of a new housing scheme with brick homes, enclosed rear gardens and a construction site visible in the background.
Street-level aerial view focused on a three-storey apartment building with a stone and brick façade, set within a new residential area.
Two-story brick house with a gabled roof and white-framed windows, featuring a small front porch with a triangular canopy over the entrance. Black downspouts run along the front facade, and a clear blue sky brightens the backdrop. Another similar house appears partially in view to the left.
Row of brick houses with grey gabled roofs and white-framed windows, set against a bright blue sky. Wooden fences divide the properties, and each home has a small paved path leading to the entrance. The scene captures a clean, orderly suburban street on a sunny day.
Aerial view of curved residential streets lined with modern houses, private gardens and small planted green spaces between homes.
High-level aerial of a housing development within a wider townscape, showing nearby construction works and surrounding residential areas.
Sunny residential scene with new red-brick houses, a green lawn, and a large roadside sign reading 'Welcome to Holmhurst Gardens, Baldslow,' adorned with leafy graphics—conveying arrival and community identity in a modern housing development.
Modern brick houses set behind a landscaped front garden with mulch, greenery, and a large tree casting partial shade. White-framed windows and doors punctuate the façade, with one home displaying signs reading ‘SHOW HOME OPEN’ and ‘SALES OFFICE OPEN.’ Decorative triangular gables accent the entrances, and a short set of steps connects the paved path to the homes. The scene is bathed in bright, natural light beneath a clear blue sky.
An expansive construction site bordered by mature trees and residential neighborhoods. Several multi-story buildings are in various stages of development, with exposed brickwork, scaffolding, and concrete frames visible. Construction vehicles, equipment, and workers are dispersed across the site, highlighting active progress and the large scale of the project. The surrounding greenery provides a striking contrast to the industrial activity within.
Wide aerial view of a completed housing scheme with uniform rooflines, private gardens and landscaped edges connecting to surrounding green space.
Wider aerial view of a completed development with mixed housing types, surrounding woodland and suburban neighbourhood beyond.

Holmhurst Gardens

  • St Leonards on Sea, Hastings
  • 208 affordable homes
  • 1 - 4 bedroom homes
  • Completed in 2026
  • Southern Housing
  • Queen Anne statue

Holmhurst Gardens is a 100% affordable housing development in St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings. Delivered in partnership with Southern Housing, the scheme provides 208 homes through a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership. Construction began in Summer 2023, and was completed in Spring 2026.

The development includes 31 one and two-bedroom apartments across two buildings, alongside 177 two, three and four-bedroom family homes. Designed to meet local housing need, Holmhurst Gardens provides a balanced, long-term neighbourhood shaped around everyday living, landscape and community.

A group of construction workers enjoy a tea break. All are wearing high vis jackets and hard hats. One faces the camera holding a coffee
Partnerships
Client builds

We're a lead contractor on a range of projects that include social, affordable, retirement and private housing.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you bring your scheme to life.

Call 01403 787 300Email us
How to get there
What3words: ///term.deeply.answerEldridge Way, Hastings, TN37 7PT
Modern brick houses set behind a landscaped front garden with mulch, greenery, and a large tree casting partial shade. White-framed windows and doors punctuate the façade, with one home displaying signs reading ‘SHOW HOME OPEN’ and ‘SALES OFFICE OPEN.’ Decorative triangular gables accent the entrances, and a short set of steps connects the paved path to the homes. The scene is bathed in bright, natural light beneath a clear blue sky.

History of the site

Holmhurst St Mary is centred on a house originally built in the late 18th or early 19th century as “Little Ridge”, later expanded by writer Augustus Hare from 1860 into a distinctive Victorian home with landscaped grounds.

Hare turned it into a cultural retreat and introduced features like the original Queen Anne statue from St Paul’s Cathedral, shaping much of its character today.

The house later became a convent school before closing in 1981, and now forms the historic focus of the site’s wider redevelopment.

Planned & designed with context in mind

The scheme was secured with the benefit of full planning consent, before a Section 73 amendment was progressed in collaboration with Southern Housing. This allowed the development to evolve in response to local planning requirements and community needs.

Through this process, Holmhurst Gardens has been shaped as a well integrated residential neighbourhood. The layout balances density with green space, ensuring a scheme that is practical, sustainable and appropriate to its setting.

Delivered through a JCT Design and Build contract, the partnership approach has been central to refining the scheme and ensuring long-term quality.

Site plan of new homes under construction at Holmhurst Gardens, Hastings

Development key features

Each home at Holmhurst Gardens reflects a focus on consistency, quality and long-term value.

  • A fully affordable neighbourhood

    208 homes delivered for affordable rent and shared ownership, supporting local housing need.

  • Landscape-led approach

    Existing trees and hedgerows were retained where possible, alongside new planting and green spaces.

  • Heritage restoration

    We are overseeing the movement and restoration of a historic statue of Queen Anne, originally unveiled in 1713 outside St Pauls Catherdral.

Thakeham CEO Rob Boughton walks along a paved path with a dark gold dog.
Vision
1 / 4

We're an independent founder-led business, which affords us the freedom to advocate for positive change in our sector. We challenge ourselves, our peers and the government to do things differently and better.

Group of people at a construction site wearing high-visibility jackets and hard hats, engaged in a discussion. One person in the foreground has "THAKEHAM" printed on the back of their jacket. The group includes individuals with white and blue hard hats. Scaffolding and construction materials are visible in the background, indicating an active building site.
Partnerships
2 / 4

We build strategic partnerships that last, built on a shared vision of what housebuilding should be. Choose us for a quality product designed and built to outlast your investment cycle, while standing the test of time.

A newly built two-story brick affordable home with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by a landscaped garden with blooming white flowers. A paved walkway leads to the entrance, and a curved road runs alongside the property. In the background, additional houses of similar modern design indicate a newly developed neighbourhood focused on sustainability.
Affordable
3 / 4

Everyone deserves a home they can be proud of. That’s why our affordable homes are built to the same high standard as private homes with no compromise on design, construction materials or care.

Close up shot of a kitchen sink, premium appliances in the Kensington showhome at Welborne Garden Village.
Quality
4 / 4

Every development we build – and every piece of strategic land we own – reflects our commitment to quality and attention to detail.​ Nothing is overlooked. Everything is carefully considered.

A development shaped by landscape & heritage

Aerial view showing a housing development next to mature trees and open green space, with homes arranged around gently curving roads.

Design rooted in place & longevity

Landscape forms an important part of Holmhurst Gardens. Existing trees and hedgerows have been retained wherever possible, helping to anchor the development within its setting and support local biodiversity.

New planting and open spaces extend this approach, creating a greener environment that will mature over time. The focus is on long-term resilience, ensuring the site feels established and well integrated as it grows.

Our work in sustainability
Two-story brick house with a gabled roof and white-framed windows, featuring a small front porch with a triangular canopy over the entrance. Black downspouts run along the front facade, and a clear blue sky brightens the backdrop. Another similar house appears partially in view to the left.

Layouts that support modern living

At Holmhurst Gardens, house types, layouts and styles were designed by Southern Housing. Homes are practical, adaptable and efficient. The mix of apartments and family houses reflects the needs of a broad range of residents, from first-time buyers through to growing families.

The layout creates a clear structure across the site, with streets and spaces that are functional and easy to navigate, while maintaining a strong sense of place.

Row of modern brick houses with white-framed windows and black front doors, each sheltered by a small gabled porch. The street is lined with streetlamps and neat patches of greenery, and the scene is set under a clear, sunny blue sky—evoking a calm, well-kept suburban atmosphere.

Affordable homes for local people

All 208 homes at Holmhurst Gardens are affordable. Delivered in partnership with Southern Housing, the scheme provides a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership homes.

This helps ensure that local people can access high quality new homes, with tenures designed to support long-term stability and community cohesion.

Affordable homes
A group of five construction professionals—wearing high-visibility vests and hard hats—stands in front of newly built brick houses on a residential street. Their stance suggests collaboration or site inspection, with the row of red-brick homes, pitched grey roofs, and crisp white-framed windows forming a clean architectural backdrop. The scene evokes themes of teamwork, housing development, and community-building.

Supporting education & future skills

Social value forms part of the project’s delivery. Working alongside Southern Housing, the scheme has supported engagement with local schools, including opportunities for young people to visit site and learn more about careers in construction.

These initiatives are designed to provide practical exposure to the industry, helping to inspire future pathways into housebuilding.

Community engagement
Weathered stone statue of Queen Anne atop an ornate pedestal, set against a backdrop of dense green trees—evoking a serene, timeless presence within a garden or parkland setting.

Restoring the historic Queen Anne statue

As part of this development we are overseeing the movement and restoration of a historic statue of Queen Anne.

Unveiled to the public in 1713, the Queen Anne statue was designed by Francis Bird and originally installed at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. After the original was replaced, it moved to its current location in Holmhurst.

The statue has fallen into further disrepair over the years due to a lack of regular maintenance. It’s restoration involves the careful cleaning statue, and modelling the missing heads from the replica statue at St Pauls.

Queen Anne restoration
Wide aerial view of a completed housing scheme with uniform rooflines, private gardens and landscaped edges connecting to surrounding green space.

Building a connected community

Holmhurst Gardens has been shaped not just as a place to live, but as part of the wider community in St Leonards-on-Sea.

Alongside heritage restoration, the scheme has supported local initiatives through donations and engagement with community groups. This includes providing resources for youth organisations and creating opportunities for local people to connect with the development.

The focus is on creating a place that contributes positively to its surroundings, both during construction and long after completion.

About us

We are an independent housebuilder operating across the South of England. We build and sell homes by planning each place properly from the start. That means designing homes, streets and green spaces together, understanding existing infrastructure, determining what is needed to support growth and delivering homes that fit their setting. We focus on quality, usability and long-term value.

We deliver differently because we start in a different place. We shape the layout before designing individual homes. We assess infrastructure needs early and plan for mixed communities from the outset. This is a delivery model, not a slogan.

Designed for life, built for the future: Our homeowners' stories

A couple standing together on a residential street in front of a newly built brick house on a bright day.

"Welborne has been on our radar for years, and we could not wait to be part of something so special. 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."

Robert & Jane

Welborne residents

A person stands at the entrance of a modern red-brick house with rooftop solar panels. The front yard features neatly trimmed grass and small plants, suggesting a well-maintained suburban setting. Similar homes appear in the background, reinforcing a community focused on eco-conscious living.

"Even the solar panels clean themselves when it rains. No matter what happens with energy prices, we know what to expect."

Steve & Sarah

Templegate Zero Bills residents

Two people walking a dog along a gravel path in a green residential area with trees, grass, and modern brick houses in the background. A small playground structure is visible behind them.

"It’s not just a development, rather a community. For us, it gave us everything we were looking for and more. It has a heart and a soul, which we didn't expect and we loved finding."

Julie, Ian & Harriet

Woodgate residents

Two people stand outside a brick house with white-framed windows and blinds. The person on the left wears a navy blue t-shirt with an orange graphic and blue jeans, with their arm around the person on the right, who wears a white lace top and patterned trousers. Behind them, an open door reveals a hallway and a glimpse of a garden, suggesting a warm, welcoming moment.

There’s a nature reserve just across the road, while we can walk just about everywhere, including to the town centre. We want to walk more to keep active, and living here means we hardly need to use our cars anymore."

Steve & Roberta

Templegate residents

Jenny enjoys a coffee in the Woodgate cafe at Pease Pottage. She wears a white sild scarf with dark blue spots.

“I’m a people person, and Woodgate has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I remember the first time I came here. I came for a coffee with a friend and we sat in the café overlooking the big village green. I thought to myself that I’d like to live here.”

Jenny

Woodgate resident

Richard and Sue stand outside their new home in Newick. The house is clad in a light grey cladding.

“We initially looked at other period properties, but we felt a newbuild home would be right for us. We didn’t want the hassle of all the general maintenance of an older house, such as old boilers, changing electrics and sash windows. A new build gave us a clean slate.”

Richard & Sue

Berry Croft residents

Jon and Sarah stand outside their new build home at Manorwood in Surrey. A light brown front door and bricks are visible behind thm.

"We lived there for thirty-four years and raised our three children in that home, but it was creaking at the seams! We didn’t feel we could leave the house for any length of time without fear of something going wrong, such as a pipe bursting or the roof leaking. We chose a new build home for peace of mind."

Jonathan & Sara

Manorwood residents

A couple stand smiling outside a modern semi-detached home with a mix of white siding and brickwork. The front door displays the number 9, and a potted plant rests near the entrance. A white car is parked in the driveway, adding to the impression of a tidy, welcoming residential setting.

"After sending a friend to check it out for us, we were mesmerised. He called us from his car and said, ‘You need to live here, I’ve never seen a place like this."

Jai & Norbi

Woodgate residents

Three people sit closely together on outdoor steps in front of a red brick wall and white door. The person on the left wears a blue-and-white patterned blouse with jeans, the center figure wears a pink dress layered over a floral shirt, and the person on the right wears a green T-shirt with dark trousers and a watch. Their relaxed posture and proximity suggest a familial or friendly bond.

"I love the design, the layout, the wide roads with the houses nicely set back. It’s spread out and already has a nice community feel. With the park next door and a new Village Green, this is our long-term, hopefully forever home. And that was all before we stepped inside!”

Abbi & James

Woodgate residents

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A group of children outdoors on a grassy area, smiling and holding up colorful certificates or cartoon-themed artwork. They’re arranged in two rows, with some kneeling in front and others standing behind. Trees and part of a building appear in the background, adding to the summery, celebratory atmosphere.

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A group of five construction professionals—wearing high-visibility vests and hard hats—stands in front of newly built brick houses on a residential street. Their stance suggests collaboration or site inspection, with the row of red-brick homes, pitched grey roofs, and crisp white-framed windows forming a clean architectural backdrop. The scene evokes themes of teamwork, housing development, and community-building.

First homes handed over at Holmhurst St Mary

We've handed over the first nine homes at our Holmhurst St Mary development near Hastings, East Sussex, to Southern Housing.

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Weathered stone statue of Queen Anne atop an ornate pedestal, set against a backdrop of dense green trees—evoking a serene, timeless presence within a garden or parkland setting.

Restoring a historic Queen Anne statue in Hastings

We are overseeing the movement and restoration of the historic Queen Anne statue with Southern Housing near Hastings, East Sussex. 

News
An expansive construction site bordered by mature trees and residential neighborhoods. Several multi-story buildings are in various stages of development, with exposed brickwork, scaffolding, and concrete frames visible. Construction vehicles, equipment, and workers are dispersed across the site, highlighting active progress and the large scale of the project. The surrounding greenery provides a striking contrast to the industrial activity within.

Selected to build affordable homes in Holmhurst

We have been appointed by Southern housing to build 208 new affordable homes in Holmhurst St. Mary near Hastings, East Sussex.

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