A SPECIAL event for a Basingstoke housing association was held in honour of a double celebration.

A plaque was unveiled at Kingfisher Housing Association's latest development to mark the retirement of its long-standing chairman.

Richard Smith Wright, who has been Kingfisher's chairman for 11 years, unveiled the plaque at the new Lauriston Court flats, in London Road.

The £7.5million development, which received grants of £4.28m from the Housing Corporation and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, is close to completion.

It contains 64 one and two-bedroomed flats for over-55s, shared ownership and local people - and is Kingfisher's biggest development to date.

Mr Smith Wright told the gathered reception about his 11 years as chairman.

"It has been an extremely stimulating and rewarding time, seeing Kingfisher increase in size and financial strength," he said.

"I think one of our greatest achievements has been to build and purchase more than 800 homes, most of these for social renting, and this year I am delighted to say that we are building 207 more homes."

Mike Thompson, chief executive officer of CORGI, in Basingstoke, will be the new chairman of Kingfisher. The position is voluntary.

On Wednesday, Chris Holland, vice chairman of Kingfisher, said: "As chairman, Richard has attended numerous start-up and hand-over ceremonies, so this seemed a fitting occasion to celebrate his time as chairman."

First published: Wednesday, April 27, 2005