Our Story
In 1970, an elderly widow, Mrs Kate Muir, approached the Rotary Club of Hythe, offering a sum of money if the Club, in return, would provide her with rent, rates and maintenance free accommodation for the rest of her life.
After considerable deliberation the Rotary Club accepted the offer, settling Mrs Muir in a new home in Hythe.
The Club then looked at the wider needs of the elderly in our area and determined to play its part in tackling local housing need.
In July 1971, Hythe Rotary Housing Association, came into being. The Associations objective then, which remains the same today, was to provide rented, sheltered housing for the elderly, particularly for those with a local connection to the New Forest.
The 1970's - the hard work starts!
After the first meeting of the Management Committee of the Association in July 1971 and with the full support of the New Forest District Council, work started in earnest to identify a suitable site to build new homes - and raise the necessary funding.
After much searching, the Association finally identified two properties, The Chase and Meadcroft, on Beaulieu Road in Dibden Purlieu as a suitable site for redevelopment. Plans were drawn up to build 51 flats and accommodation for a Warden.
After a number of funding issues, the site was eventually purchased in 1977 and building was able to commence in 1979.
Building Muir House
These pictures are from our archive and provide a unique record of the building of Muir House and the voluntary work by Committee members that made it possible.
Opening of Muir House
Muir House was opened officially in 1981 by The High Sheriff of Hampshire, Maldwin Drummond and his wife Mrs Gilly Drummond.
This event was the culmination of years of dedicated work by the Hythe Rotary Housing Association's Management Committee, all of whom were members of the Hythe Rotary Club and all volunteers. This was an immense achievement.
Muir House opened with full tenant occupancy, including Mrs Muir who had decided to move from her bungalow.
The 1980’s - time to build more homes!
One might think that after ten years of hard work, the Committee would have wanted a break. On the contrary!
They felt they had learnt a lot during their first venture and were eager to commence with a second building development.
Building Priest Croft
In the early 1980’s, Fawley Parish Council agreed to consider the erection of a block of 50 flatlets on an area of two acres at Gang Warily in Blackfield, where a suitable site opposite the Medical Centre was agreed.
The Land was purchased in 1985 and a joint development project was formed with New Forest District council. The scheme was named Priest Croft as this had been the name of the field on which Priest Croft is sited when the land was part of the Cadland Estate.
Building began in 1986 with the first sod being cut by the Associations Chairman, Howard Oliver.
By 1987 there were one hundred names on the waiting list for tenancies and residents began moving into their new homes in October 1987.
Sadly, Howard Oliver passed away in March 1988 before the scheme was completed.
Developed in two phases, Phase 1 was owned and operated by the Association and Phase 2 by the New Forest District Council, but with services provided by the Association under a Management Agreement.
Opening of Priest Croft
Lord Denning, former Master of The Rolls, and Lady Denning, opened Priest Croft on 21st September 1988.
Lord Denning spoke at some length at the opening ceremony, and we are delighted to provide a link here to original video footage of this event. A truly memorable speech.
Remembering Howard Oliver, our first Chairman
Howard Oliver became the first Chairman of Hythe Rotary Housing Association on the Association's formation in 1971 and he remained Chairman of the Association until his death on the 20th March 1988, aged sixty-one.
During this time the Association built Muir House, Dibden Purlieu, comprising fifty flats and warden's accommodation and Priest Croft, Blackfield (Phase I) comprising twenty-four flats and warden's accommodation.
Hythe Rotary Housing Association was formed by the Rotary Club of Hythe and District. Howard Oliver was President of the Club in 1973-74. Following his retirement from the Club in 1986, due to ill health, he was awarded the Rotary honour of a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Howard Oliver was founder-Chairman of the Waterside Activities Group in 1971 and he served that organisation for many years. He was also Chairman of Dibden Parish Council in 1973-74 and Chairman of Fawley, Hythe and District Chamber of Trade in 1969.
Howard Oliver's life was dedicated to his family and to the service of the local community.
The 1990’s - Consolidation
The Association was not idle in the 1990’s.
In 1995 the Administration Office at Muir House received a new extension, to help house a growing staff team needed to manage the Association’s services.
In 1996 a new entrance canopy was installed at Priest Croft to improve building appearance.
In 1999 New Forest District Council formally consulted its tenants living in Flats 26 -50 at Priest Croft with a view to transfer the ownership of these properties to the Association. This was part of a wider Council review into its ownership of council homes. The Consultation concluded with a decision by Tenants to transfer to the Association alongside planned service improvements.
The 2000’s: Growth and Regeneration
The ‘noughties’ decade continued to see the Association focus on improving its accommodation offer to tenants.
On 23rd March 2000 the transfer of Flats 26-50 at Priest Croft was concluded, alongside the transfer of a property owned by the Association in Hythe, to the Council to assist its regeneration plans.
In 2001 The Association received planning consent to re-model Muir House. Works included the demolition of the Warden's bungalow, double garage & drying area. In its place 6 new flats were built along with a new drying area and double garage. A number of bedsits were also remodelled with extensions to provide new 1 bed flats. The Association also purchased an adjoining property called ‘Treetops’ to provide Warden accommodation. The works were completed in 2002.
In 2009 Priest Croft received new windows and doors, replacing the original Juliette style balconies and wooden door and windows with UVPC products.
And 2009 was also the year that Hythe Rotary Housing Association Changed its name to MuirCroft Housing Association. The name change reflected a change in the formal involvement of Rotarians in the Association, although current Board members still retain strong links in this area.
The 2010’s: Improvements and service transformation
In 2014 Muir House received a new Conservatory building, extending the communal lounge and providing an attractive space to socialise and enjoy the sun.
Like many other providers, the Association made the decision to stop providing live in warden services in 2014.
In 2015 the Warden flat at Priest Croft was converted to provide two one bed flats. The Associations ‘Treetops’ property was converted from Warden accommodation and let as an investment property by the Association.
In 2015 Muir House benefited from new car parking spaces. The original plans had included replacing some of the communal gardens to make space for additional car parking, but a tenant’s petition opposed to this influenced the outcome.
In 2017 a new Communal laundry building was constructed at Priest Croft and a new Hairdressing salon was opened, replacing a very small cupboard in the lounge area where hairdressing previously took place.
In 2018, nine additional parking spaces were constructed at Priest Croft in response to tenant feedback and concerns over parking availability. New LED energy efficient lighting was installed in the communal corridors at Priest Croft as part of the Associations sustainability works programme
The 2020’s: A BIG birthday! Fire safety works and digital upgrades
In 2021 the Association celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a garden party and tress planting ceremony, supported by our local member of parliament, councilors and former and current Board Members.
In 2023, fire doors were added to the long corridors at Priest Croft to meet new fire safety standards as well fire safety improvement works to flats at both schemes. New LED lighting was installed in the communal corridors at Muir House and an electric car charger was installed at both Muir House and Priest Croft.
By 2024 we all of our homes met Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Level C.
In 2024 a new automatic door was installed at the main entrance to Muir House, making it easier for tenants to access the building as well the buildings lift receiving a major refurbishment. A new digital 'Warden Call Service' was also installed at both Muir House and Priest Croft, providing new modern communication services for tenants and staff.
Where we’d like to go
We are committed to providing an excellent service to our tenants and welcome all opportunities to learn from feedback.
The Association continues to look at ways of developing our services and is open to opportunities to develop new homes to help meet housing need.
Dr Julian Lewis MP, was the special guest at an afternoon tea party held for tenants of Muir House, Dibden Purlieu, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation in 1971 of Hythe Rotary Housing Association. Now known as Muircroft, the Association developed Muir House and its sister scheme, Priest Croft, in Blackfield.