Former pigeon stud farm transformed into affordable housing

Local Housing Association East Boro Housing Trust, part of the Aster Group, has successfully completed the transformation of a brownfield site in Chickerell, Weymouth, into 19 high-quality affordable homes. Now ready to welcome new residents, the development breathes new life into a site once regarded as one of the country’s top pigeon stud farms.

Ponderosa on Green Lane will provide 13 one and two-bedroom bungalows, plus six flats ranging from one to three bedrooms. Dorset Council will allocate the homes to individuals registered on its housing waiting list, with priority given to those who have a local connection to the area.

Amanda Williams, Chief Investment Officer for Aster Group, said: “We’re very proud to bring this unique site back into use in a way that benefits the local community. The transformation of Ponderosa is a great example of how we can repurpose land to create safe, affordable homes that people are proud to live in. By turning a former pigeon stud farm into high-quality housing, we’re not only preserving the character of the area but also helping local people stay close to friends and loved ones.”

Funding from Homes England, through the government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme, and Dorset Council have been used to help deliver the homes.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said: “It’s fantastic to officially open these homes and celebrate what’s been achieved here. This project shows how places can be reimagined to meet local housing needs. These new homes offer people the chance to stay close to their community in a place that’s both welcoming and rooted in history.”

In its heyday, Ponderosa enjoyed a global reputation, breeding champion pigeons for elite clients including the Saudi royal family, and at its peak housed around 320 stock pairs, making it one of the largest and most respected pigeon studs in the country.

For more information and to register for affordable housing in Dorset, please go to: Register for housing - Dorset Council.