The Symene
Community Land Trust was formed in 2008 with the specific aim of providing
affordable housing for local people. A
survey of the parish indicated that there was a significant level of housing
need and overwhelming support for a housing scheme for the benefit of the
community. Support was provided by
Wessex CLT Project and a partnership was formed with Hastoe.
Ten, high quality affordable homes have been provided on the outskirts of
Bridport on land bordering Symondsbury. The scheme comprises five 2 bedroom,
two 3 bedroom houses and one 4 bedroom house for Affordable Rent. One 2 bedroom and one 3 bedroom house have
also been provided for Shared Ownership.
The land was generously made available by local landowners George and
Amanda Streatfeild who also formally opened the development.
The homes constructed by C G Fry & Son were funded by Hastoe, the
Homes and Communities Agency and West Dorset District Council. Employer’s Agent
services were provided by Frazer Garner Associates.
Vince O’Farrell, Secretary of the Symene Community Land Trust, said:
“The CLT is very pleased that this project which started in August 2008
has come to fruition and that there are ten more affordable houses for local
families in housing need. Thanks are due to all the partners involved in the
project and particularly to the group of Symondsbury volunteers who had the
foresight to set up the CLT some years ago and have seen the project through to
reality.”
Cllr Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council said:
“I am delighted that the council have been able to help fund such an
important scheme to provide much-needed affordable homes for local people. Particular
thanks must go to the landowners for providing the land, without which the
project would not have been possible. This development is just one of the ways
we’re working with community groups and housing associations to provide
affordable housing that meets the changing demographic and social needs of the
area. I highly commend the work of all those involved and
look forward to supporting more of these projects in the future.”
Kevin Murch, Construction Director for C G Fry & Son, said:
“We are delighted to have been part of this project with Hastoe, which
will provide much-needed affordable homes to the local
community. The project has gone well and we have enjoyed working
with all the team.”
Kevin
Hartnett, Business Development Director at Hastoe, said:
“I’m
delighted to see our new homes at Symene opened after nearly seven years of
hard work from everyone involved. I want to pass my thanks on to the
landowners, the Community Land Trust, the District Council and the local
community, without whom this development wouldn’t have been possible.”