The regeneration of a former post office site has been given a boost of £1 million.

Work to transform the old Post Office in Eastleigh High Street got underway at the start of this year.

The plans have benefitted from a cash injection from Homes England to allow 10 of the flats in the scheme to be provided as social rent homes.

These homes will feature in the front block of the building and will be one and two-bedroom flats.

The site will also be home to retail units on the ground floor and a total of 28 flats on the upper floors, the plans for which were approved by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee in 2021.

READ MORE: Go-ahead for 'bold and exciting' plan to transform Eastleigh town centre

The flats, a mixture of one and two bedrooms, will be available for rent in Autumn 2024 following completion.

The original application sparked 70 letters of protest and just one of support.

Many objectors cited the loss of the historic building and the "negative impact" the plans would have on the architectural character of the High Street.

Despite residents’ protests, the scheme was deemed acceptable.

Work is expected to continue until Summer 2024.