NOT owning a car will be a positive benefit for residents of Poole's revolutionary new eco-village.

In a first for Poole, on tap will be a selection of new vehicles residents will be able to hire for non-work purposes, such as taking a child to a doctor's appointment.

With less than one parking space each for the 86 affordable homes, car ownership is discouraged and the car club is part of the futuristic Seldown site's green credentials - which could show the way for all new builds in the borough.

"This is probably the first really viable alternative to car ownership we are able to offer," said Hugh Lambourne, regional development manager for Western Challenge Housing Association.

Popular on the continent, this pool car scheme will operate at a town centre site close to shops, employment, bus and railway stations and could be extended to the neighbouring Pitwines development.

"If it doesn't work we have space on the site to put one car parking space for every home," said Hugh. "We don't want to do that. We want to succeed with this car club. It will mean more open space and a more pleasant environment for residents."

The £10.5 million development on 2.9 acres at Seldown is a partnership between Western Challenge and the Borough of Poole, who sold the site for the project.

"This is the first big development of the regeneration of Poole," said Hugh Lambourne, regional development manager for the housing association. "A lot of sites will follow on. It's a great opportunity for us to do something a bit more cutting edge."

He said: "What we and Poole are trying to do is create something which could be emulated by other developers. We have gone for quite low-tech, environmental friendly solutions."

So there are no solar heating panels or windmills, instead there are large south-facing windows, high efficiency boilers, good insulation, low water consumption loos and showers.

Work began on the timber-framed buildings, housing 44 one and two-bed flats, in May, to be followed by 42 two, three and four bed houses, due to be completed by summer 2005.

They will be available both for sale through shared ownership and to rent to people on the council's housing waiting list. Ten of the homes will be specifically for key workers, whose services are deemed essential to local communities.

"The Seldown development is part of the Borough of Poole's strong commitment to providing affordable homes to meet the needs of a wide variety of people," said Councillor Bill Wretham, cabinet portfolio holder for housing.

"The housing scheme is an exciting and futuristic move forward and we hope it will prove to be a trend setter. We would like to see other developers follow the lead that has been set by Western Challenge Housing Association and the council."

First published: August 19