Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, visited Northcombe Lea, Drimpton on the 15th September to see the completed development delivered in partnership by Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust (CLT), Abri, and C G Fry & Sons. The new community-owned development comprises of 15, one, two and three-bed affordable homes; all the homes are for people with a close connection to the parish. Each home includes solar panels, air source heat pumps, and an EPC rating A. Speaking about the development, Mr Loder said:
“The new development in Drimpton is an outstanding example of what can be achieved through Community Land Trusts, and I am a long-standing champion of this type of development. This development is popular, modest, and utilises a fabric-first approach. We are in a fortunate position in West Dorset, with such a large number of CLTs registered in the constituency, from Broadwindsor to Buckland Newton. The development is a real success, with all properties now filled. I’ll continue to work very closely with every single CLT in West Dorset to ensure that small-scale developments can proceed and that local people can remain to live and work. I’ll also raise with the Government the need to reduce the lengthy constraints – sometimes up to a decade - that hinder the process from development to construction.”
Speaking about the development, Ralph Facey, Abri’s Executive Director of Operations, said:
“Abri is all about creating thriving communities and empowering lives. Working with community partners like CLT’s are so important to ensuring more quality, affordable housing is available in rural locations where local people can be priced out of their own communities. It was a pleasure to welcome Chris Loder MP to this development to meet those involved and speak to the customers who will benefit from these homes and be able to grow and thrive in their community.”
Rowland Hibbard, Chairman of Broadwindsor Group Parish CLT, who was also present, said:
“I’m delighted to see our parish’s vision become a reality. Broadwindsor Group Parish CLT was set up as a direct response to the lack of affordable homes in our surrounding parishes. We wanted to support our local people to remain local, ensuring they could live and work in the area where they grew up. With thanks to our partnership with Abri, we’ve been able to make this happen for 15 families. These homes will continue to provide quality, affordable and sustainable homes for generations to come.”
Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, Lead Member for Housing, at Dorset Council said:
“This is yet another example of working collaboratively with our partners. Over time from the planning stage through to the development we’ve all endeavoured to work together to deliver these homes. This development will give people in this rural community, the opportunity to rent locally and to stay local. This is a grass roots project through and through with input from the Broadwindsor Group Parish CLT. From the very beginning, people with local knowledge and passion for the area have helped make this a reality and changed lives.”
