Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and Abri, a large housing provider operating across the south of England, have reached a key milestone at their 1,500-home Fordham development in West Sussex, agreeing the forward sale of 141 affordable homes to Abri through their joint venture, Ford North LLP.
The transaction is for 76 Section 106 affordable homes and a further 65 affordable homes, which Abri plan to develop with support through grant funding from Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency. These homes will be delivered as part of Phase 1 of the scheme. Crucially, the forward sale enables the commencement of the housing phase at Fordham, marking the transition from planning to delivery of this major new community, with construction anticipated to start in September 2026.
Ford North LLP, the joint venture between Vistry and Abri, is leading the delivery of the wider scheme, with Abri also acting as the end purchaser for the affordable homes within this first phase. The agreement demonstrates the strength and flexibility of the partnership, enabling both organisations to accelerate the delivery of much-needed homes.
Fordham is a landmark mixed-use development on the former Ford Airfield site, which will deliver around 1,500 high-quality new homes alongside extensive infrastructure and community facilities. Of these, 960 homes are being delivered through the Vistry and Abri joint venture.
Planning approval has already been secured from Arun District Council for the initial phases of development, including nearly 700 homes and significant infrastructure. This includes a primary spine road, new pedestrian and cycle routes, bus connectivity, and more than 11 hectares of public open space, alongside play areas, sustainable drainage systems and ecological enhancements.
The wider development will also feature a new primary school, a care home, a local centre and employment space, creating a sustainable and well-connected neighbourhood. The vision for Fordham has been shaped by more than a decade of collaboration with local partners and is a key strategic allocation within the Arun District Local Plan.
Alex Jordan, Managing Director for Vistry South East, said: “This forward sale represents a major milestone for Fordham and, importantly, enables us to begin delivering new homes on site. Our partnership with Abri is central to the success of this scheme, and this agreement highlights how our joint venture model can accelerate delivery while maintaining a strong focus on quality and place-making.
“Fordham is a transformational development that will provide not just new homes, but the infrastructure and community facilities needed to support long-term, sustainable growth.”
Sally Ingham, Director of Development at Abri, commented: “This agreement secures a significant number of affordable homes for Abri customers and marks the next stage of delivery at Fordham, transforming a long-held vision into a new community with homes, green spaces, transport links and facilities for local people. The inclusion of additional homes that we plan to develop with support from Homes England grant funding will help maximise the affordable housing provision delivered through the development.
“Our long-standing partnership with Vistry demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations work together. Fordham is a great example of how collaborative working can unlock large scale developments, helping us deliver the homes and communities needed while supporting Abri’s ambition to build 20,000 new homes by 2036.”
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