HOUSING experts have welcomed plans for a 46-home development in Lyme Regis – but said it only ‘scratches the surface’ of the affordable housing crisis.

Proposals for the residential development on land at Woodberry Down will go on public display on Friday.

Developers Bloor Homes will be at the Woodmead Halls from 2pm to 8pm to talk to residents about the scheme.

More than six acres of land will be developed for 46 homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses.

It is proposed that 16 of those, or 35 per cent, will be affordable housing for local people.

The activity centre Woodberry Down House would remain and is not included as part of the proposed development site.

The site was allocated for employment and housing in West Dorset District Council’s 2006 local plan.

LymeForward Housing Group is working to tackle the lack of affordable housing in Lyme Regis.

Group member Keith Shaw said: “35 per cent is what is written into planning regulations for West Dorset.

“From an affordable housing point of view, I would say that’s very good.

“It’s scratching the surface of what we actually need, we could do with 60 to 70 affordable homes at the moment.

“There are getting on for about 100 people on the housing register and those people on the register are probably about two thirds of the actual need.

“People who need housing and are in jobs think they would be so far down the housing ladder that they wouldn’t get a chance and don’t bother to register.

“This is a start but there’s also potential for some more.

“The new local plan, which has been drafted this year, includes the adjacent field to Woodberry Down potentially for more affordable housing.”

A spokesman for Bloor Homes said the local plan identifies the Woodberry Down development as a way to strengthen Lyme Regis as a sustainable and mixed community.

The spokesman said: “The layout has been designed to protect the majority of the mature trees, boundary hedgerows and green corridors within the site.

“The existing topography and surrounding buildings have influenced the design. “The proposed house type design has been inspired by the arts and crafts style architecture found in the vicinity.”

The scheme will feature three distinct character areas – site entrance, woodland edge and the village quarter.

“An improved site access will be created and new cycle/footway link will be created along Colway Lane,” said the spokesman.

“The site entrance and woodland edge are both lower density areas to allow for and maintain the site’s positive green frontage.

“The village quarter has a higher density with shared spaces which can be enjoyed by future residents, pedestrians and cyclists.”

Further details will be available soon on the website bloorhomes.com