Funding
Bridport Cohousing has been fortunate to receive significant financial support from a number of organisations. Homes England provided a generous grant towards the cost of the build and Dorset Council contributed to the land purchase. CAF Venturesome and Power to Change provided revenue grants for predevelopment costs.
Design and Build
Barefoot Architects have worked hard with us over the years to create plans that have taken us from planning to the final build of all the homes. West Dorset’s own C G Fry (of Litton Cheney) was the construction company used by Bridport Cohousing to build the 53 homes at Hazelmead for us, ably overseen by Welling Partnership. Charles Couzens, of Ecos Maclean, was our professional adviser. Common Practice is a local architectural practice that worked with us on the design and regenerative build of our Common House.
Housing
Our most significant partnership is with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA). BCHA is a not for profit, registered provider of social housing that has been supporting the local community, including those experiencing homelessness, for the past 50 years. BCHA have built the social rent and Help to Buy shared ownership homes in Hazelmead and are now acting as landlords for those properties.
We are also working in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust providing six affordable-rent staff homes and 30 additional staff parking spaces.
Microgrid
A site-wide microgrid supplies power to our homes though our own energy supply company HMCE. The grid is designed, installed and managed by CEPRO and supported through funding from Bristol Energy Coop and Dorset Community Energy.
On site
As a contribution to benefit the wider community, a shed for use by the Allington and Coopers Wood Volunteers – affectionately known as the Allington Hillbillies – was included in the build of the site. This provides a nearby place for them to store and maintain their tools securely, and to gather in inclement weather. One of our residents is an enthusiastic member of the Hillbillies and provides liaison.