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A development of 15 social housing properties on land off Timber Hill.
The Community Land Trust in partnership with South West-based housing provider Yarlington Housing Group, which will manage the development project and new homes once completed combined with CG Fry the builders are providing the new houses.

The development is a 100 per cent affordable housing scheme specifically for the local people of Lyme Regis. Its about as far out of the town you can get opposite the Golf Club with gorgeous views, but therefore not within easy reach of the shops or facilities of the town. It was, however, the only area identified as both suitable and available for such a development.

Lyme Regis CLT was formed after initial discussions with the town council and LymeForward by a small group of local people keen to tackle the lack of affordable homes in the town.

Timber Hill was initially considered as a potential site for these new homes in 2013, after an exhaustive search for potential sites. In July 2014, the CLT selected Yarlington Housing Group as the partner of choice to deliver and manage the development and the two have been in close collaboration since.

Support was shown for the scheme at a public meeting and outline planning permission was approved by the district council in February.

The project has received funding from both West Dorset District Council, and the Homes & Communities Agency, and has been supported by Wessex Community Land Trust Project.

From the local news: “With house prices continuing to rise ahead of wages, and pressure from the holiday market, there is a huge demand for affordable homes in Lyme Regis for local people.

“The fact that communities are now recognising the need for affordable homes within their towns and villages and are coming to the council to initiate discussions is great. We can then support and enable that process – by being community led local people can clearly see the benefits of it.”

Yarlington executive director of growth & development, Stephen Lodge, added: “Yarlington believes fully in the Community Land Trust model and the opportunity it provides to enable those with a connection to the town to retain a secure, affordable home where previously they may have been unable to afford to remain living in the area.

“We are really excited to be working in collaboration with Lyme Regis CLT, West Dorset District Council and C G Fry to successfully deliver these new homes.”

CLT housing developments are becoming more popular in the UK with over 170 trusts now established in England and Wales. Once land is sought, the CLT become owners of the land in perpetuity and receive an annual ground rental income from the housing association, which is granted a long lease on the land and which builds and manage the properties. The CLT is then able to invest this small income back into other community projects.

The new homes in Lyme Regis will include six one-bed houses, five two-bed houses and four three-bed houses all available for rent to people with a local connection to the town."