First ever affordable housing scheme in construction on Portland
The properties are going on the former Southwell Primary School site
A new affordable housing development is coming to Portland which will be the first of its kind.
Nine properties will be built for local people as part of the redevelopment, on what used to be the Southwell Primary School site.
They'll be available to rent at below market rates for anyone who has a connection to the Island.
This forms part of the larger May Bower Gardens development.
Portland Community Land Trust is leading the project and said:
“We are aware that demand continues to increase for good-quality, affordable housing on Portland.
“The aim is for May Bower Gardens to be the first of a number of CLT projects on the island. We’re very grateful for the support of all partners in the project.”
There are currently 500 applicants being processed on the housing register who have a Portland connection or who have expressed Portland as their preferred option.
Councillor Gill Taylor, who is Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said:
“The site has been transformed from redundant school buildings on the old primary school site to provide nine affordable rented homes for local residents.
“Dorset Council supported this work by providing a Community Housing grant and we worked collaboratively from start to finish with our partners including Middlemarch Community Led Housing, who have supported Portland CLT and EBHT.
“This development demonstrates our commitment to community land trusts in Dorset and we hope it will encourage more community led housing to provide the affordable homes we need for local people.”
May Bower Gardens will comprise 48 homes in total, with the first phase of 14 properties due for completion autumn 2024.