Landmark CLT properties for local people set to be built in Portland
Nine affordable community land trust (CLT) homes are to be built for local people in Portland, Dorset, with first residents expected to move in before Christmas.
Dorchester-based property firm Koori Limited, part of the Redtale Group of companies, has joined forces with Portland Community Land Trust (CLT) and East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT), part of the Aster Group, for what is being called a trailblazing scheme.
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CLTs are a form of community-led housing. CLT's act as long-term stewards of the properties, ensuring they remain genuinely affordable.
The homes, a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom properties, will be built by Koori and managed by housing association EBHT on behalf of the CLT, which will own the freehold.
They will be available to rent at below market rates to local people with a connection to Portland.
Kevin Hodder, director of partnership and engagement at Aster Group who also oversees EBHT’s development programme, said: "EBHT specialises in developing small groups of affordable homes in villages within Dorset for the benefit of local communities.
“CLTs are a brilliant way to deliver affordable housing which local communities both want and need."
He added: "With energy-efficient design and technologies, customers living in these homes will also benefit from lower energy bills. Coupled alongside the affordable rent, it should help keep overall costs down.”
Councillor Gill Taylor, who is Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, added: "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."
The CLT homes are part of the regeneration of Portland’s former Southwell primary school site off Sweet Hill Lane.
May Bower Gardens - a £15 million scheme - will comprise 48 homes and the first phase of 14 properties - a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses - is due for completion in autumn 2024.
Portland CLT is a community benefit organisation run by an elected board of members from the community to meet the housing needs of local people.
