Lyme residents could be given lifeline in housing crisis (From Dorset Echo)

Lyme residents could be given lifeline in housing crisis

5:00pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

LYME residents who have never been able to afford their own home could soon be given a lifeline.

A new group has been set up to tackle the shortage of affordable housing in Lyme Regis, especially for young people.

A public meeting is being held on Monday, March 11 at 7.30pm in the Woodmead Halls for the community to find out more about the concept of a Community Land Trust (CLT).

This is a community led group that would take freehold ownership of suitable sites in perpetuity and either the CLT would build the homes itself or lease the land to a housing association.

Denis Yell, Keith Jenkin, Ray Smith, and Keith Shaw were tasked last year to explore whether a CLT would work in Lyme Regis.

All four have lived in the town for several years but are keen for long term local residents with an interest in the housing crisis to join them.

The group’s initial ideas have received support from West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin, the regional CLT network, the town and district councils, and local area partnership Lyme Forward.

Mr Yell said despite ‘strenuous’ efforts over several years, the problems in Lyme Regis have become worse rather than better.

He said: “Since 2008, Lyme Forward has been carrying out detailed studies to seek solutions, but the rules concerning development land allocation anywhere but in very small communities made useful progress difficult.

“Only 23 affordable houses have been built in the town since 2000, against a predicted need of over 100 dwellings in the period 2008-2011 alone.”

The team is keen to hear from people at the public meeting who would like to become tenants or owners of the proposed housing.

All are welcome to attend and admission is free.