Trailblazing affordable housing developments in Dorset have been hailed for breathing new life into rural communities.
The west of the county is leading the way nationally for the number of community land trusts (CLTs) providing affordable homes for local people. They have been held up as shining examples of residents, councils, housing associations and developers working together to build much-needed housing in often rural settings.
The praise comes at the start of Rural Housing Week — organised by the National Housing Federation — which runs from the 1st to 5th July with the theme of ‘Building for Rural Communities’. It follows Prince Charles’ recent visit to officially open the newly completed Forge Orchard (pictured above), which was developed in partnership with Powerstock and District CLT and rural housing specialists Hastoe Housing Association.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, who is Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “Forge Orchard is a perfect example of just how well community land trusts can work.
“It shows just what can be done if the community gets behind a scheme. As we celebrate Rural Housing Week, I hope the success of such schemes as Forge Orchard inspires other communities to seriously consider CLTs too.
“Our Opening Doors programme has identified affordability as a major issue in Dorset and CLTs are one of the ways of breathing new life into villages with affordable homes for local people.”
Community land trusts are led by local volunteers and properties are let out to people with a local connection at rents below the open market rate. CLTs usually select a housing association to develop and manage a site although they can apply for a building grant and manage the tenancies themselves if they wish.
Volunteers worked tirelessly for seven years on the eight-home development at Forge Orchard in the village of Powerstock, which is near Bridport.
Patrick and Susan O’Dowd have lived in the village for 38 years and relocated to a bungalow at Forge Orchard.
Susan, 78, said: “We feel very lucky and are very happy here.”
Patrick, 79, added: “There is a good mix of people with young families. It fits in very well with the village, and everyone gets on very well.”
Naomi Bell, who lives at Forge Orchard with husband Charlie and their two children Ruby, two, and Izaac, who is nearly one, said: “We’re really grateful to the community for making this happen.
“It is so important for the younger generations, and for the future of the village.”
Powerstock and District CLT selected the site, gained the landowner’s support and commissioned the architect before selecting Hastoe Housing Association to develop and manage Forge Orchard.
The total cost of the development was £1.8m with the former West Dorset District Council contributing £195,000 and Homes England £360,000.
Trust Chair Vanessa White, who is also a trustee of the National CLT Network, said: “Western Dorset is among the most active areas regionally and nationally for CLTs.
“If we want to keep rural communities alive, we need more projects such as CLTs. The key to success is to be open, honest and transparent, and to keep the community informed and involved every step of the way.”
Seven CLT schemes have been completed, delivering just over 70 affordable homes. There are also more than 10 projects coming forward in the Dorset Council area, which are at various stages.
Dorset Council is helping communities to start CLTs along with the Wessex Community Land Trust project.
The success comes as the Council’s Opening Doors programme encourages the construction of 20,000 more good quality homes of all tenures by 2033.
Visit www.openingdoorsdorset.co.uk for more information and contact housing enabling team leader Paul Derrien for information about setting up a CLT at paul.derrien@dorsetcouncil.org.uk.
The Bell family:
The Bells are one of the young families to move into Forge Orchard. Naomi and Charlie have moved in with their two children Ruby, two, and Izaac, who is nearly one.
Naomi said: “There was no way we would be able to live here without the community land trust. We feel very lucky, and are very settled here already. There is a mix of children of all ages, and everyone gets on very well.”
Naomi is a stay at home mum while Charlie works locally for a roofing company. Naomi grew up in a neighbouring village and has strong local connections.
Naomi added: “We’re really grateful to the community for making this happen. It is so important for the younger generations, and for the future of the village.”
Prince Charles called in on Naomi and family during a visit in the Spring to officially open the development.
Naomi said: “He was very laidback and it was quite informal. It’s not something which happens every day and it passed in a blur. It was really quite surreal.”
The O’Dowd family:
A one-bedroom bungalow at Forge Orchard is home now for longstanding village residents Patrick and Susan O’Dowd. The couple used to live in a rented cottage about half a mile outside of the village but their children have flown the nest and they are both now retired. They were among the first to put their names down when they heard about the community land trust in Powerstock.
Susan, 78, said: “We feel very lucky and are very happy here. The bungalow is a good size and is very light and airy, and it feels very comfortable.”
Patrick, 79, added: “There is a good mix of people with young families. It fits in very well with the village, and everyone gets on very well.”
Patrick managed a dairy farm before starting his own carpentry business. The couple have lived in Powerstock for 38 years.
Susan recommended community land trusts to other communities. “If this is the way forward, it is well worth investing in. It involves the local community who can say what they want and where they want to have it.
“It also gives young people a footing in a home and keeps them in the villages.”
