Homebuilder Thakeham has handed over the first nine homes at its Holmhurst St Mary development near Hastings, East Sussex, to Southern Housing.

Addressing the need for affordable homes in the local community, Holmhurst Gardens is a 100% affordable housing scheme comprising both homes for rent and sale through shared ownership. We are delivering 208 homes for Southern Housing, including 31 one and two-bed apartments across two blocks and 177 two, three and four-bed family houses. The development will also feature a pocket park, providing a recreational green space for residents, along with a new residential square.


As well as providing homes, we are overseeing the restoration of the Grade II listed Queen Anne statue, a notable feature of the Holmhurst development. Originally located at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the monument was subsequently bought, moved and installed at Holmhurst St Mary after being damaged. The statue has fallen into disrepair over the years due to a lack of regular maintenance, damage from overhanging trees and saline rain, and vandalism and graffiti. Queen Anne was recently removed from the site and is currently with a stonemason for restoration, while we will install new landscaping, footpaths and benches to showcase the monument once it is returned to situ.

Thakeham to hand over more homes at Holmhurst Gardens in stages until Christmas, closing Phases 1a and 1b of the scheme. Handovers to complete the development’s second phase are planned for Spring 2025, with the scheme due to fully complete in Autumn 2025.