Search continues for land for affordable homes in Burton Bradstock
There's concern that landowners are being put off due to delays with the Dorset Local Plan
The Burton Bradstock Community Land Trust (CLT) is continuing its search for land in the village suitable for affordable housing.
The Trust is looking for a site for a small housing development, but so far it has not found a landowner able or willing to release land for affordable homes for local people.
The Trust Board believes that the delay to Dorset’s new Local Plan may discourage landowners from offering a site until it is clear where development will be allowed.
As COVID restrictions lift, the CLT members say they will be out and about around the village later this month, reviewing previously considered sites and establishing whether there are additional possibilities.
CLT Board Chair David Dixon says: “It is disappointing that so far we have not had a positive response to our inquiries regarding pockets of land that we feel could be used for a small affordable housing development.
“The COVID restrictions over the past two years have not helped, in that we were restricted in meeting landowners.
“We are also conscious that the delay in Dorset’s Local Plan may put off landowners from considering land for a CLT development, which would usually form an “exception site”, used for affordable housing in perpetuity, but which would not normally be able to be used for housing.
“But we aren’t giving up. If anything, the housing need has become even greater in this area, so we would be very grateful to hear from anyone in Burton Bradstock with ideas or suggestions of areas that we could consider. We’ll be doing a walkabout around the village on the evening of 28 March to revisit sites already considered and keep our eyes open for new possibilities.”
Do you know of any suitable land?
Anyone who has a suggestion, or who would like to join the Burton Bradstock CLT and have a say in the future of the village at a cost of £1 for a share, should contact 01308 897603.