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10th March 2010

BRIDPORT: New affordable homes with link to the schools

by Tom Glover

WORK has begun on a new environmentally sustainable estate, which will provide 57 affordable homes in Bridport.

Members of the Flaxhayes Stakeholders Panel, made up of representatives from West Dorset District Council, Bridport Town Council, Allington Parish Council and Bridport Local Area Partnership were given a tour of the site yesterday (Thursday).  

The £8million Flaxhayes development will provide 37 properties for rent, 17 for shared ownership and three self-build properties and is due for completion in June 2011.

As well as providing much needed affordable housing the development will also create a safer and faster route to major schools in the town.

A new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Brit will link the development with Pymore and give easier access to Colfox School, St Catherine’s Primary School and Bridport Primary School.

The new community of houses is to be named Dibdin View after former councillor, teacher and Bridport youth club volunteer Humphrey Dibdin.

Mr Dibdin’s widow Jane Dibdin also visited the site recently. 

She said: “This is exactly the sort of project that would have pleased my husband. 

“Affordable housing was very close to his heart and I am delighted that this is being done in his memory. He would have been very moved.”

All properties will meet strict sustainable homes criteria, which will include the installation of gas boilers combined with photovoltaic roof panels as standard.  

The majority of dwellings will meet the Lifetime Homes standard and be of timber frame construction, and main contractor ISG Pearce Ltd has pledged to use local labour where possible.

The rented homes will be a mix of one-bedroom flats and two, three and four bedroom houses, while the shared ownership units will be two and three bedrooms. 

Magna were appointed to carry out the development following a rigorous selection process from the stakeholder panel and planning permission for the land, which was donated to Magna free of charge by WDDC, was granted in July.

Magna director, David Aldwinckle said: “This is an important scheme for the town and one we are proud to be involved in. This is 100% affordable housing, something that is much needed in Bridport”.   

One of West Dorset District Council Leader Robert Gould said: “We are delighted to be seeing this community-led development taking shape and are especially pleased that the homes will be prioritised for people with a local connection to Bridport and Allington Parish, where the land is located.

“With very energy efficient housing and even some self-build homes, it truly is an exemplar scheme that the project panel and partners should be very proud of.”

Also included for the benefit of residents and the community at large will be a number of communal facilities: a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Brit, improving access to three local schools, and space for allotments. 

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