A GROUND-breaking affordable homes project for Bridport is a step closer to becoming a reality.

Members of Bridport Cohousing Community Land Trust are celebrating their successful bid for funding from the Community-led Project Support fund.

A grant of £46,500 will enable them to proceed to a planning application for the scheme to create 30 affordable homes for local people on a site next to Bridport Hospital, off North Allington.

The plan is to develop an environmentally sustainable and affordable cohousing neighbourhood of 30 homes, common house and food growing space and gardens on the outskirts of the town.

The common house will provide a facility for the group to meet and work together, formally and informally.

The common house and food growing area will be available to those living in the surrounding area and wishing to join in.

Local people’s responses to the scheme during the public consultation events held earlier this year, will form part of the revised plans.

Monica King, co-ordinator of the residents’ group, said: “This grant is a major breakthrough for us and we expect to submit a planning application in Spring, 2014.

“We are very grateful for the encouragement we have had from many residents and councillors in Bridport and West Dorset and, especially, for practical help and advice from our MP Oliver Letwin, who alerted us to this grant scheme with the Homes and Communities Agency.

“Our professional advisors, Alan Heeks and Charles Couzens, have done a great job in guiding us through all the complexities of grants, consultations and discussions with the District Council.”

The group currently has 15 households and would welcome people into membership who want to live more sustainably and affordably.

Some of the homes will be for rent, some for part buy/part rent from a housing association and some will be for part buy/leasehold from Bridport Cohousing CLT.

More information is available on the website bridportco-hous ing.org.uk