Construction work has started on a project to build homes on unused land at the Bursledon Brickworks Museum.

Some 12 homes, seven social rent and five shared ownership, will be built by Vivid as part of a scheme that has been “in the making for seven years”.

The land for the housing was purchased from the museum, as it required “substantial funding” to carry out vital repair and restoration works on two Grade II listed brick drying sheds.

A planning document read: “The money required will come from a variety of sources, but these alone cannot raise the required funds to carry out the works.

“Therefore, the purpose of developing the land for residential dwellings is to enable the land to be sold to a developer in order to raise significant funds that can enable the works to the listed buildings to take place.”

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Residents were left confused that the site could be at risk of closure after the sale, though trustees and staff confirmed in 2024 that it is “not under any threat” and that the museum is “thriving”.

Bursledon Brickworks Museum.Bursledon Brickworks Museum. (Image: Supplied) Tristan Samuels, group development and new business director at Vivid, said: “This scheme has been in the making for seven years.

“We’re excited to now be in a position where we can see it come to fruition and play a part in preserving history at the same time.”

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The houses will be two and three bedroom homes built using Flemish bond brickwork, which reflects the cottage-style aesthetic of former workers’ cottages in the area.

Andy Elford, chair of Bursledon Brickworks Museum trust, said: “This project took time to come to fruition owing to the pandemic.

“We are delighted that it is now nearing completion and our two drying sheds have been granted a new lease of life. We will be looking for new uses for the sheds moving forwards.”

Originally built in 1897, the Bursledon brickworks previously played a vital role in production, producing more than 20 million bricks every year.