A community trust is pushing forward with plans to build affordable homes for young people on an empty site in Dorchester.

The Dorchester Area Community Land Trust (DACLT) held a public meeting at the Corn Exchange last week to review its progress over plans to build at least 20 one-bedroom flats on the Trinity Street tennis courts site.

Members say the trust has made “incredible progress” in a year since the project was first suggested by Dorchester Town Council, with help from Wessex CLT which has provided support to community land trusts across other areas of Dorset including Lyme Regis and Toller Porcorum.

DACLT, which is made up of 10 local residents, is also working with developer Reeds Watts to assess the feasibility of the scheme and take steps towards submitting an official application to West Dorset District Council.

Alistair Chisholm, member of DACLT said: “Affordable housing has been a problem in the town almost as long as I’ve been here.

“We’ve made incredible progress in one year, and what’s different about a CLT as opposed to a developer is this housing will remain available to young working people in Dorchester.”

The one-bedroom flats are proposed to be available to buy for between £90k to £100k. Young working people in the town under the age of 35 who have a single or combined income of £30,000 will be eligible.

Dorchester resident Gary Penfold, who attended the meeting, said: "The young people do need looking after and as a resident I support the effort."

However Linda Poulsen, of Hedgehog Friendly Dorchester, raised concern that the proposed site is "gloomy" and that building work would destroy the wildlife that surrounds the courts.

She said: "I applaud the creation of this community trust, however I'm concerned that people will find the area gloomy, especially at this time of year.

"They'll end up wanting to move out. It's important that a site is attractive to people. Hedgehogs and wildlife will also disappear."

DACLT will discuss issues such as its chosen style and potential environmental impact with Reeds Watts in a meeting on November 17.

The trust is seeking people to become members. Visit daclt.org.uk for more information.