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Housing

Updated: Mar 17




In July 2022 we had over 10,000 residents needing housing, Dorset Council could dramatically improve the availability of genuinely “affordable” housing for rent by looking to converting empty buildings or building on land that they already own.

 

A housing corporation WAS put in place by West Dorset District Council to look at the possibility of partnering with a housing association to build ' affordable housing' & £6m but unfortunately no actions since.


OPEN DOORS OROJECT - £4 million set aside

Applications for Government grants

Reaching out to SME builders and developers

Identification of more brownfield sites with a bespoke register

Greater focus on Self-Build initiatives

Sensitivity towards the environment, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

To reach the 20,000 target, as set out in the Western Dorset Economic Growth Strategy, an average of around 1,176 homes will need to be built every year across the three council areas in total during the period from 2016 to 2033. That is up from an annual average of 737 over the past five years.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, NDDC C ouncil Leader and Housing Portfolio Holder, said: “We are facing major housing shortages with demand outstripping supply. Opening Doors is about seizing the initiative and implementing any measures we can at a local level to help play our part in solving the housing crisis.”

Dorset’s population is set to rise by 14.5% to 884,000 by 2039, according to latest statistics, with an expected 13,200 more jobs needed for the local economy by 2033 in north, south and west Dorset. The average house price in Dorset is £295,202 while the average salary is £24,263 — meaning a house price is 12.2 times the average. Well above the 7.6 national average.

Cllr Tim Yarker, Housing Portfolio Holder for West Dorset District Council, added: “New homes are essential for the future sustainability, growth and prosperity of our communities. A mix of good quality housing will help keep young people in our area while attracting and retaining the key and skilled workers our local economy needs to grow.”

Cllr Gill Taylor, Housing Briefholder for Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, said: “Opening Doors will see us take decisive action and lead from the front on the housing crisis in our areas. We are keen to hear from anyone who wants to find out more or become involved, including groups interested in community land trusts, developers, landowners and builders.”

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