LYME REGIS: A potential site for affordable housing in the town has been identified by the Lyme Regis Community Land Trust (CLT).

The news comes after fears that affordable housing for ‘local people’ in Lyme could be lost due to the rented tenant’s Right to Acquire scheme, which was highlighted in a presentation before the town council on July 23.

The proposed CLT in Lyme would hold land in trust for the community and offer the buyer the possibility of sharing in the equity of the property, although the trust would retain freehold of the land.

The leaseholder could be an individual or a housing association but the CLT would have control over who lives there.

In 2012, there was renewed momentum to create a CLT in the town after figures released showed that Lyme has some of the highest seaside house prices in the country – with an average house price of £373,841.

At the council meeting, current CLT directors Denis Yell, Keith Jenkin, Rob McLaughlin and Brian Rattenbury told councillors: “We have identified a potential site, and reached agreements with the landowner and a housing association, for the development of around 15 affordable housing units.

“When we have a viable package to present, we’ll advise the town council and convene a public meeting.”

Councillors recommended that the Lyme Regis Development Trust transfers Monmouth House, which was given to the trust by the GF Eyre Charitable Trust to house vulnerable people in the town, to a ‘suitable body’ after the CLT were told Monmouth House would go on the market ‘unequivocally’ in September.

Councillors also recommended that the council apply for Monmouth House to be a ‘registered asset of community value’ to help protect it.

These recommendations will be considered by full council on August 6.