Housebuilding

Toller Porcorum, Dorset

Strengthening rural communities

In 2015 we completed six affordable homes and a community post office in the West Dorset village of Toller Porcorum.

The development was carried out on behalf of Toller Porcorum Community Land Trust (CLT), an enterprise set up by local people to oversee the provision of sustainable community assets in the village.

After Toller Porcorum CLT sought the help of the Wessex Community Land Trust Project and the district council, we became involved in the project and led the purchase of neighbouring land, the scheme design, planning consent and construction of the site.

Funded by the Homes and Communities Agency through its community-led development fund, West Dorset District Council, and our Housing, Care and Support division, much of the land for the new homes and the post office was gifted to the CLT by the late Vanora Hereward, who lived in the village for a number of years.

The new housing includes a one-bedroom flat, along with five two- and three-bedroom houses. All the homes are for affordable rent and occupied by local people. The properties are managed on the CLT’s behalf by our Housing, Care and Support team.

We have a strong track record of working with CLTs to provide much-needed new homes that can strengthen rural communities.