About this home:

Bridport Cohousing is a Community Land Trust that partnered with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association to deliver 53 affordable homes for local people. Terraces run along the contours of the land, all facing the central common house, with south facing PV array. Houses balance private back gardens with sociable front gardens, and kitchens facing the street. They grow food for the community across the site, including an orchard. Car-free streets have tricycles and scooters scattered as evidence of the freedom children have - in a multigenerational cohousing where everyone looks out for each other. They are self-building the straw bale common house with some help from the School of Natural Building and look forward to holding events there.

Planning Insights:

36 months at planning

Bridport CLT bought this 7 acre greenfield site, anticipating it would be a rural exception site; but it was granted standard planning permission. The CLT’s commitment to affordable housing has ensured that all 53 homes are secured at 80% of market value in perpetuity. 39 houses were funded by members’ deposits on the homes they bought at off-plan; along with a grant from Homes England for shared ownership homes and social housing. BCHA funded the 14 extra houses they lease and administer.