Green light for 54 affordable homes in Bridport

9/1/2009

Residents in Bridport are set to benefit from 54 new affordable homes by June 2011, with West Dorset District Council granting planning permission for the Flaxhayes development in the town.

This 100% affordable housing development will be a mixture of 1 bedroom flats and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses, and each will be available for affordable rent or for sale through shared ownership (with the government's NewBuild HomeBuy scheme).

The scheme proposals were put forward after extensive consultations during 2008 with local people by Magna Housing Association, in conjunction with WDDC, Bridport Town Council, Allington Parish Council and Bridport Local Area Partnership. Magna would like to thank every Bridport resident who gave valuable input and feedback to the project.

Magna is now awaiting approval for their bid for grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which they hope to win by the end of this month.

Initial work has begun at the site, and the main building work, which will be carried out by ISG Pearce Ltd, is set to begin in October 2009.

The development will also include allotments, public open space and a pedestrian bridge over the River Brit. An area has been reserved for 3 affordable homes by the Bridport Self Build Group, and a separate planning application has been submitted.

Nigel Spencer, development programme manager, says:

"I, along with the stakeholders' panel, am extremely pleased that the hard work of the project team has resulted in achieving planning consent. Subject to a positive bid outcome from the Homes and Communities Agency I now look forward to seeing the main building works for the much needed affordable housing for Bridport begin."

More information about the scheme is available from West Dorset District Council »