A COMMUNITY land trust is asking for the public’s help to find land in Burton Bradstock that’s suitable for affordable housing.

The Burton Bradstock Community Land Trust (CLT) is looking for a site suitable for a small housing development. So far, they have not found a landowner able or willing to release land for affordable homes for local people.

The Trust Board believes that the delay to Dorset’s new Local Plan, which sets out the council’s planning policies and is a starting point in determining planning applications, may discourage landowners from offering a site until it is clear where development will be allowed.

As Covid restrictions have lifted, the CLT members will be out and about around the village later this month, reviewing previously considered sites and establishing whether there are additional possibilities.

CLT Board Chair, David Dixon said: “It is disappointing that so far we have not had a positive response to our inquiries regarding pockets of land that we feel could be used for a small affordable housing development.

“The Covid restrictions over the past two years have not helped, in that we were restricted in meeting landowners.

“We are also conscious that the delay in Dorset’s Local Plan may put off landowners from considering land for a CLT development, which would usually form an “exception site”, used for affordable housing in perpetuity, but which would not normally be able to be used for housing.

“But we aren’t giving up. If anything, the housing need has become even greater in this area, so we would be very grateful to hear from anyone in Burton Bradstock with ideas or suggestions of areas that we could consider.

“We’ll be doing a walkabout around the village on the evening of March 28 to revisit sites already considered and keep our eyes open for new possibilities.”

Anyone with ideas or suggestions, or who would like to join the Burton Bradstock Community Land Trust and have a say in the future of the village at a cost of £1 for a share, can contact 01308 897603.