The HBF allocates stars for customer satisfaction, based on homeowner feedback. Two independent surveys are sent out to purchasers at two weeks and nine months after occupation, designed to establish satisfaction levels with the build quality of the property and the buying experience. For the first time this year, star ratings are calculated on a composite score, with only 47 housebuilders across the UK having met the new five-star threshold.

Mark White, managing director of Bargate, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved the highest rating for customer satisfaction in the HBF’s annual survey. This accolade is the ultimate seal of approval from our customers. It reflects what they think of Bargate across the whole experience – before, during and after their purchase.

“This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to delivering quality and a positive experience every step of the way. Customer satisfaction has always been at the heart of everything Bargate does, and we are incredibly proud to stand head and shoulders with the best housebuilders in the country.”

230 energy-efficient hand-crafted houses and apartments will be handed over to customers before the end of the 2025/6 financial year. Bargate’s growth trajectory is supported by live planning applications equating to a total gross development value in the region of £460m.

Bargate has also received a 2026 Gold Award from In-House Research. It is the eighth year running that the Hampshire-based housebuilder has triumphed in the prestigious national award programme. This achievement is another reflection of Bargate’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality homes and providing an exceptional customer journey.

In-House Research’s newly released Annual Benchmark indicates where all housebuilders who participate in the comprehensive customer survey stand, compared against an average benchmark

score. Bargate consistently scored above the benchmark in every category. In the ‘would you recommend to a friend’ category, Bargate scored 97.8%.

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Lymington Cricket Club, to be its major sponsor for the next three years.

The partnership will provide vital support to the community club, enabling it to offer more coaching than ever before, with a particular focus on developing the junior section and the women’s game. It will also help to maintain and enhance the club’s excellent facilities, delivering lasting benefits for the local community for many years to come.

Bargate branding will be featured across various kits, club signage, Lymington Cricket Club’s social media channels and the club website. As part of the partnership, we will also be involved in future community events and match days.

The sponsorship comes just a week after we announced a new two-year partnership with professional county cricket club, Hampshire Cricket, and the international venue, Utilita Bowl.

Commenting on the partnership, Andrew French, Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We are keen to connect with the local community, and sponsoring Lymington Cricket Club, with its important role at the heart of the area, is an ideal opportunity to do just that. Alongside our broader involvement in cricket, including our support of the Utilita Bowl, this partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the communities and sporting organisations that matter locally.”

Guy Layman of Lymington Cricket Club said,  “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bargate as our new major sponsor. Their support will make a real difference to the future of Lymington Cricket Club. This partnership is a significant boost for the club, and we’re excited to work together over the next three years.”

Lymington Cricket Club currently fields four adult Saturday teams. The First XI competes in the Premier Division of the Southern Premier League and is one of the strongest sides in the area, finishing third in 2025, the highest league position in the club’s history. The remaining three teams play in the Hampshire League.

The club has a thriving junior section, with five junior teams involving around 70 young players from Under 9s through to Under 16s, alongside 20 All Stars for boys and girls aged 5–8. Juniors aged 16 and over progress into the adult men’s teams. Lymington also has a rapidly growing women’s section with 25 players, including a successful team that competes against clubs across the New Forest and won the Indoor Hampshire League in 2025. Building on this success, the club will introduce a girls’ team in 2026.

This player development is supported by a strong coaching structure, featuring a number of highly experienced coaches, including former county player and club captain Gareth Berg. In total, the club now has more than 500 members and is supported by a dedicated network of volunteers.

Since 2006, Bargate has been creating superior, thoughtfully designed homes in some of the South Coast’s most desirable locations. Our developments span a range of sought-after coastal and semi-rural settings, including two new sites within the New Forest area, and close to Lymington. This includes the recent opening of our show homes at Shepherds Green, a 155-home new community in the village of Hordle, and a forthcoming 90-home scheme in Pennington.

For more information about Shepherds Green, click here.

We have officially opened Shepherd’s Green, our very latest residential development in the village of Hordle, with two new show homes and a large area of public open space.  The launch marks a major milestone for Bargate, as Shepherd’s Green is our 100th development.

Set on the edge of the New Forest, Shepherd’s Green is a landscape-led collection of new homes inspired by its rural surroundings, native habitats and village life. Homes at the development are available from £350,000 for a two-bedroom property, which is one of the show homes ready to explore.

Both show homes have been designed by Hampshire interior and garden specialists The Garden Society, with schemes that reflect the natural landscape of Hordle and its picturesque New Forest setting. Earthy colour palettes, layered textures and evergreen planting have been used to ensure the interiors and gardens feel connected, demonstrating how outdoor space can become a natural extension of the home and its surroundings.

Mark White, Managing Director, said: “The launch of Shepherd’s Green is a hugely important moment for us as our 100th development. It reflects how far Bargate has come and our long-term commitment to creating places that respond to their surroundings. Working with The Garden Society has enabled us to demonstrate how homes, gardens, and green spaces can work together to shape everyday living.

“As we look ahead to delivering more homes across the New Forest, including works already underway at Pennington, Shepherd’s Green sets the benchmark for how we want to build in this incredibly special area in the New Forest.”

Highlights of the two-bedroom show home include an open-plan kitchen-diner with traditional white shaker units. Patio doors lead to a generous garden which boasts circular wooden decks in a stepped spiral formation with lush evergreen planting on either side and a turfed area, ideal for entertaining and relaxation.

The three-bedroom show home boasts a more dramatic interior scheme, centred around a striking claret-red kitchen, paired with deeper tones and richer detailing throughout. The open-plan kitchen and dining area opens onto a patio and a densely planted garden that echoes the rhythm of the forest.

The show homes sit alongside a generous Alternative Natural Recreational Greenspace (ANRG) we’ve delivered. Residents and the wider community can enjoy a children’s play park, a dog activity area and a large natural green open space with gravel paths and walkways designed for year-round use.

Within the ANRG, a purpose-built bat and barn owl house has also been installed, allowing these native species to continue nesting on the site and supporting local biodiversity. This area also includes sustainable drainage features to support wildlife and change with the seasons, alongside the planting of hundreds of new trees.

When complete, Shepherd’s Green will boast 97 homes with a mix of 50% affordable housing in partnership with VIVID, to create a balanced and inclusive community that crucially meets local housing needs. Open market options vary from two- to four-bedroom homes that combine traditional architecture with contemporary high specification interiors. Energy-efficient design with air-source heat pumps and PV solar panels ensures excellent performance, while our hallmark craftsmanship guarantees homes of lasting quality and attention to detail.

Located on Everton Road, Hordle, SO41 0FF, the show homes at Shepherd’s Green are open from 1000 to 1700 hrs, seven days a week.

For more information and to register your interest, click here.

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl. This is the first time a housebuilder has teamed up with the leading professional county cricket club and international venue. The partnership will run for over two years, strengthening our presence within one of Hampshire’s most recognisable sporting destinations.

As part of the agreement, Bargate will become the official sponsor of the Family Zone at Utilita Bowl, with plans to support a refreshed and enhanced space for families attending matches. The redesigned Family Zone will be operational during Vitality Blast fixtures and international matches, reflecting a shared commitment between both organisations to supporting families, local communities and inclusive experiences, both on and off the field.

Bargate’s branding will also feature on players’ kit trousers and on perimeter advertising boards at Utilita Bowl throughout domestic fixtures. The partnership will span Hampshire Cricket competitions and events hosted at the venue, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Mark White, our Managing Director, said: “This partnership with Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl is a proud moment for Bargate and an exciting first for the business. The Family Zone sponsorship reflects our commitment to creating positive experiences for families and communities, while supporting a venue that plays such an important role in Hampshire’s sporting and cultural life. We’re looking forward to seeing the partnership come to life over the next two seasons.”

Rob Paddon, Commercial Director at Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Bargate as an official partner of Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl. Their focus on community, families and long-term local investment aligns closely with our own values, and the support of the Family Zone will play an important role in enhancing the matchday experience for supporters of all ages.”

Utilita Bowl is home to Hampshire Cricket, Southern Brave and England international fixtures, and is widely recognised as a world-class sports and leisure destination. The partnership offers Bargate a high-profile platform across men’s and women’s cricket, alongside major domestic and international events hosted at the venue.

The new collaboration builds on our growing portfolio of community and sports partnerships across the region. We are a long-standing supporter of Southampton FC, including the refurbishment of the Sensory Room at St Mary’s Stadium, and we provide free football places for children eligible for the government’s Pupil Premium grant through our sponsorship of the Soccer Schools initiative. Bargate also supports the Mayflower Theatre, grassroots football clubs, and a wide range of local charities, events and community projects in the areas where we build.

To read more about the incredible local community projects and sports partnerships we’re proud to support, click here.

We are pleased to announce we’ve renewed our support for grassroots sport in Eastleigh by sponsoring two AFC Stoneham youth teams for the current season: the Stoneham Pumas Under 8s and the Stoneham United Under 12s.

This is the second consecutive year we have sponsored the young Pumas and the fourth year in a row that we have backed Stoneham United.

Andrew French, Sales & Marketing Director at Bargate, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting both the Stoneham Pumas and Stoneham United again this season. Youth football creates fantastic opportunities for young people to enjoy sport, build friendships and develop new skills, and we’re proud to back a club that does so much for local families.”

AFC Stoneham is the largest grassroots club in the South of England and one of the region’s most active community clubs, offering pathways for children across a wide range of ages and abilities. Our sponsorship is helping provide new kits, equipment and resources for both teams as they continue to grow in confidence and ability.

AFC Stoneham Pumas U8s coach, Matt Whale, added: “Bargate’s ongoing support makes a real difference. The children feel an enormous sense of pride when they run out in their kits. They see the Bargate branding and flags around Heritage Place every week as they arrive and leave the ground, and it means a lot to them to be backed by such a prominent local business. We’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.”

AFC Stoneham sits just moments from Heritage Place, our major housing development at North Stoneham Park. The scheme recently won ‘Development of the Year’ for its design and community-led approach, and we continue to hold a five-star customer satisfaction rating in the latest national Home Builders Federation (HBF) survey.

The sponsorship forms part of our wider programme of community support across the region. In addition to backing AFC Stoneham, we are proud sponsor of Southampton FC, we work closely with the Saints Foundation as a Corporate Patron, we fund free places for children on the Saints Soccer Schools Pupil Programme, and we support cultural organisations, including the Mayflower Theatre and its annual Christmas pantomime. We also partner with a number of local charities and groups across Hampshire.

French added: “Supporting the communities where we build is incredibly important to us. Whether through sport, culture or local initiatives, we want to make a meaningful and positive contribution that goes beyond the homes we deliver.”

For more information about Heritage Place, click here, or to read about the other fantastic charities and causes we support, click here.

Bargate has once again partnered with Saints Foundation to support its annual Senior Saints festive lunch, marking the third consecutive year we have sponsored the much-loved event for older residents across Southampton.

Held at St Mary’s Stadium, the celebration welcomed around 300 people aged 60 and over for an afternoon of food, entertainment and good company. As well as funding the event, members of our Bargate team attended on the day, donning their Christmas jumpers to serve lunch, chat with guests and help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

This year’s lunch featured an open buffet, live music, a raffle and festive activities throughout the afternoon. As part of the Saints Foundation and P&O Cruises Share the Joy Gift Giving campaign, some guests also received surprise presents, adding an extra moment of joy. Participants who had attended the most Senior Saints sessions during the year were also recognised, celebrating their commitment to staying active and connected.

Guests also had the chance to speak with local organisations offering advice, services and support for older people, reflecting the wider role Senior Saints plays in supporting wellbeing beyond physical activity

Mark White, Managing Director at Bargate, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be supporting the Senior Saints festive lunch for the third year running. This event is about much more than a meal. It’s about bringing people together and making sure older residents feel welcome and valued, especially at this time of year. Our team love getting involved, and it’s always a pleasure to spend time with the participants and be part of something that means so much to the community.”

The afternoon was made even more special by a visit from Francis Benali, legendary former Southampton FC player and Saints Foundation Ambassador.

Francis Benali MBE, Saints Foundation Ambassador, commented: “All year round, Senior Saints support older adults in the city to increase their physical activity and give them opportunities to socialise. This is particularly important at this time of year, and the continued support from Bargate has allowed Senior Saints’ annual Christmas Party to get better each year. It has been a wonderful day with the atmosphere, energy, and festive joy in the room.”

Senior Saints is a free project run by Saints Foundation for people aged 60 and over. Based in different parts of the city throughout the week, the Senior Saints Hubs give participants access to weekly activities alongside local partners offering information and support that can make a real difference to everyday life.

Supporting Senior Saints forms part of Bargate’s wider commitment to investing in the communities where we build. Alongside this partnership, we are proud to sponsor a wide range of community projects, events and local grassroots football and sports teams for young people, support Southampton FC and the Saints Foundation, fund free places for children through the Saints Soccer Schools Pupil Premium Programme, and back cultural organisations, including the Mayflower Theatre and its annual Christmas pantomime.

Bargate has welcomed retiree Christine as one of its proud homeowners at Rivercross in Warsash. Aged 70, Christine moved into her four-bedroom detached home in June last year and has spent the past year settling into both her new home and a thriving community.

A retired lawyer, Christine previously lived in Devon but decided to relocate back to Hampshire to be closer to her two daughters. “I originally retired down to the South Hams near Modbury, which was beautiful, but it never stopped raining,” she explained. “I’m a keen golfer and I was ready to hang up my waterproofs! My daughters live locally, and I wanted to be near them again. As soon as I drove into Rivercross, I knew this was the place. It wasn’t cluttered or overwhelming like some of the very big estates. It just felt right.”

Her daughter, who used to work for a small property developer, had already heard of Bargate’s reputation and recommended that Christine look at Rivercross. “She said Bargate had a really good reputation and that I should definitely visit. And she was right. When we turned into the development, I immediately had a good feeling. There’s a sense of space here that you don’t find everywhere. The houses aren’t on top of one another, there’s green space and pathways throughout, and you can see the big skies. It just has a lovely feel.”

Christine purchased her home for £495,000, mortgage-free, after selling her previous property. “I’ve bought three new builds in my lifetime and this is by far the best experience I’ve ever had,” she said. “Bargate’s customer service is beyond good – it’s unbelievable. Nothing is too much trouble, you always get an immediate response, and the fact that Bargate use their own team rather than outsourcing to other trades makes such a difference.”

Her new home features a front-to-back kitchen-diner with bay window, a separate living room and four bedrooms upstairs. Christine has made it her own by installing large fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom and landscaping her south-facing garden. “My garden is very generous, and I’ve since added a large patio and raised beds where I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, strawberries and raspberries. I absolutely love it,” she said.

Lifestyle was a huge part of Christine’s decision to buy at Rivercross. A keen golfer, she plays at Cams Hall Estate Golf Club near Fareham regularly and enjoys the pool and spa facilities there too. She also takes daily walks with her little dog, Mitzi, down to the quay – just ten minutes away. 

“It’s such a lovely area for me and Mitzi. We walk by the water every day. There are three pubs within walking distance, cafes, and a coastal path that takes you to a beautiful riverside restaurant for special occasions, called Riverside Social. I used to swim in the sea too, but now I use the pool at my golf club. And with the new footpath soon to connect to Locks Heath shopping centre, I’ll be able to reach Waitrose, the chemist and more within 20 minutes on foot. I like to keep active, and it’s wonderful being able to pop out for essentials without driving my car.”

The community has also made a big difference. “The neighbours are wonderful – lots of families and I’ve met numerous single ladies like me. We’re very sociable and go for cream teas, pub lunches, and even have a ferry trip across to Hamble planned next. I can honestly say, it’s the nicest place I’ve ever lived. It’s got everything I need here. It really is lovely and the people here are so welcoming.”

Rivercross is nearing completion with the final phase, Admiral’s Green, now underway. For your last chance to be a part of this community, there are a handful of homes available at Herons Quarter and Marlow Walk – or register early for Admiral’s Green by clicking here. 

Bargate is proud to team up once again with Southampton FC to launch the third year of the Soccer Schools initiative, giving free places to Pupil Premium eligible children across the region.

Since 2023, our partnership with Saints Soccer Schools has helped over 100 children enjoy fully funded football sessions – giving young people the chance to develop new skills, make friends, and build confidence, no matter their circumstances.

This season, the programme is expanding even further, with 50 additional free places available and a brand-new Soccer School Taster Day for up to 100 more children eligible for Pupil Premium support. The initiative ensures cost is never a barrier to taking part in sport.

The Soccer Schools scheme forms part of our wider community work with Southampton FC, which includes the renovation of The Bargate Sensory Room at St Mary’s Stadium and sponsorship of the Saints Foundation’s Senior Saints Dinner – a special event celebrating and connecting older fans in a special evening of community spirit.

Andrew French, Sales & Marketing Director at Bargate, said: “Supporting the next generation and creating meaningful opportunities for local families is something we’re incredibly passionate about. This initiative for Pupil Premium eligible students opens doors for children who may not otherwise experience the joy of playing football and learning new skills with Saints coaches. We’re proud to continue our partnership and help the programme grow this season.”

Tom Grevatt, Head of Football Programmes at Southampton FC, said: “We’re pleased to continue our partnership with Bargate and launch the third year of our Soccer Schools initiative for Pupil Premium eligible children. It reflects our shared values by creating opportunities, building confidence and supporting those who need it most. Bargate have been an incredible partner in helping us extend the positive impact of Saints Soccer Schools into the wider community.”

For Bargate, this partnership is about much more than football. It’s about creating chances for people to grow, connect and feel proud of where they live. Together with Southampton FC, we’re helping to build a stronger, more inclusive community – one where everyone can take part.

Bargate has broken ground on the final phase of our award-winning Rivercross development in Warsash, Hampshire.

Known as Admirals Green, the concluding phase will deliver 126 homes and marks the culmination of a £128m once-in-a-generation scheme. Bargate started construction of Rivercross in September 2022 and has created a thriving new community, delivering a total of 189 homes to date across the first four phases.

The remaining 5.1-acre, part-brownfield site is located East of Brook Lane and will connect to the four prior phases, the village and the surrounding area to provide sustainable links throughout. 

The entire 34-acre Rivercross scheme is located at the mouth of the River Hamble and less than a mile from the village centre’s pubs, restaurants and quay, has already been celebrated for its design quality and environmental credentials. Admirals Green will provide a mix of apartments and one- to four-bedroom houses, alongside a wide swathe of green open space and new wildlife habitats.

Mark White, Managing Director of Bargate, said: “Starting work at Admirals Green is a proud milestone for everyone at Bargate. This is the final piece of our award-winning Rivercross puzzle – a landmark development that has transformed a coastal site into a sustainable, beautiful community. We have delivered 189 much-needed eco-focused homes, and now this last phase will complete the vision we set out to achieve.”

As with previous phases, Admirals Green has been sensitively designed to reflect the local vernacular, featuring façades of varied red brick, vertical slate effect tiling and render. Homes will benefit from modern eco-features including EV charging points, solar PV panels and air source heat pumps.

A significant proportion of the homes will be affordable, delivered in partnership with VIVID, Hampshire’s largest and not-for-profit provider of affordable homes. These will include a mix of affordable rent, shared ownership and social rent, ensuring the development makes a meaningful contribution to local housing need.

Nature and community have been placed at the heart of the design. Bargate’s commitment to biodiversity net gain means Admirals Green will incorporate new ponds, hedgerows, and nesting and roosting units for birds and bats, as well as hedgehog highways throughout the site. A new play area and extensive landscaping will also create lasting benefits for residents and the wider Warsash community.

Near the centre of Warsash, Rivercross is two miles from the M27 and just 1.5 miles from Swanwick train station, offering direct connections to Southampton, Portsmouth and London Waterloo.

With Admirals Green now underway, we are on track to deliver the final 126 homes and complete one of the South Coast’s most prized and picturesque residential schemes.

For more information on Rivercross and all our developments, click here.