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Portchester development to be named after famous ‘son of Fareham’

CONSTRUCTION of sheltered accommodation in Station Road, Portchester, is expected to get underway soon and it will be named after a famous ‘son of Fareham’.

When completed in about 12 to 18 months’ time, the block of 12 one-bedroomed and four two-bedroomed flats will be let at an affordable rent to older people on the borough council’s Housing Register.

Nobel Peace Prize winner

It will be named after Sir Randal Cremer, who was born in Fareham.

In 1903, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting arbitration rather than war when diplomacy between nations fails, and for founding the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Randal Cremer Cottages Trust is making a financial donation to the Portchester development though it will be owned and managed by the borough council’s Fareham Housing.

Rowlands Castle-based Ascia Construction Limited will be undertaking the construction and initially some of the flats will be occupied by tenants from the nearby Assheton Court which – as reported in The Globe – is earmarked for redevelopment.

The Executive Member for Housing at Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Fred Birkett, said: “I am delighted that this development is commencing so soon as it will provide much needed sheltered housing for older residents across the Borough.

“Sir Randal Cremer House, once completed, will offer more quality homes for those who really need them.”

Image (top): illustration of Sir Randal Cremer House. Fareham Borough Council, reproduced with permission