Donna Astley is amazed by the transformation in her neighbourhood. What was once one of Basingstoke’s least popular housing estates saw nearly 800 people queue to apply for keys to the first 50 new homes.

She moved into Oakridge Village three years ago with her partner and two daughters. She admits the neighbourhood wouldn’t once have been her first choice

“But it’s lovely now, the shops are so much better and the houses are beautiful,” she says. “My house is enormous, with a huge kitchen/diner downstairs and two huge bedrooms upstairs.”

Oakridge is a far cry from the 1960s maisonette blocks it replaced. Sentinel Housing Group has doubled the density, with 299 homes replacing 148, but the neighbourhood feels far from cramped. A new village green at its heart is overlooked by a ‘village hall’, incorporating a health centre, and a high street of five new shops with three play areas.

There is a mix of rented and sheltered housing and identical homes for shared ownership, key workers and private sale. A homezone and 20 mph speed restrictions ensure safe walking routes.

Donna’s pride in the area is obvious. “We’ve got all the local amenities here – a nursery next door, a hairdresser, newsagent, Post Office, chip shop and chemist – and we don’t get any trouble at all.”