In 2008 a group of local people in Bridport, Dorset, got together to design a cohousing neighbourhood. In this popular seaside town, where renting or owning property was out of reach for many people, the group decided to focus on ‘affordable homes for local people’.
After more than a decade of working together, building trust and friendship, our long-held dream of creating a vibrant cohousing neighbourhood is now finally coming to fruition.
‘Hazelmead’ is being built on the north-western edge of Bridport, just north of Allington Hill and next door to the Community Hospital. It is currently the largest cohousing neighbourhood in the UK, offering 53 affordable eco-homes for sale and for rent. There are seven south-facing terraces of two-, three- and four-bed family houses, and two two-storey apartment blocks of one-bedroom flats for single or double occupancy. Half of the homes are available for social rent through our housing association partner, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA). The other half are for shared ownership either at 80% leasehold purchase, or through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.
Designed to be affordable, high quality, energy efficient, climate resilient and nature friendly, Hazelmead will be managed by the community itself. Car-free streets will provide safe space for children to play. The Common House and outdoor areas will give opportunities for socialising, companionship and mutual support.