Dorset: Data collated on county's future housing needs

Fresh insights about the housing market in Dorset are set to be made available through a pioneering council campaign. The Home Ownership Register will collect precise data about the type of homes people want – including type of property, number of bedrooms, price, garden size and tenure.

Developers and housebuilders will then be able to use this information to gauge demand.

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, West Dorset District Council and North Dorset District Council have joined forces for Home Ownership Register (HOR).

It is one of the key pillars of their new Opening Doors campaign to encourage construction of homes in their areas.

Tim Yarker, West Dorset District Council housing portfolio holder, said: “We are among a number of councils nationwide working pro-actively to find solutions to the housing crisis at a local level, and this register will play a key role in our work.”

Prospective purchasers, visitors to the Opening Doors website and those attending housing events are being encouraged to sign up.

Anyone adding their name will receive the Opening Doors newsletter with the latest news about housing developments and new homes for sale in the area.

Gill Taylor, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council housing brief holder, said: “There is a quick and simple online form to fill in which means people will have all of the latest property news while playing their part in combating the housing shortage.”

The HOR is predominately for those seeking to buy but also for anyone renting, and will give the councils insight into housing need.

Graham Carr-Jones, North Dorset District Council leader and housing portfolio holder, said: “We want to hear from anyone thinking of buying, whether they are looking to get on the housing ladder or are an existing homeowner on the move.”

The councils already have Housing Business Ready status to show that they are open and ready to deal with developers.