Housing provider Abri has started work on a new £17m development at Cockroad Lane in Beaminster, which will deliver 58 affordable homes. The scheme will provide high-quality, sustainable housing with energy-efficient construction to help reduce running costs for customers. The site will also feature landscaped green spaces and improved pedestrian links, enhancing connectivity and outdoor space for the community.
The development is being delivered by Abri’s in-house construction team and will provide a mix of homes to suit different needs. This includes 33 homes for affordable rent, offered as a combination of maisonettes and two- to four-bedroom houses, and 25 homes available through shared ownership, primarily two- and three-bedroom houses. Affordable rent properties will be allocated via Dorset Council’s Homechoice housing register, ensuring fair access for applicants with a local connection based on priority banding.
John Kelly, Production Director at Abri, said:
"Starting work at Cockroad Lane marks an exciting milestone for Beaminster. These homes will provide much-needed affordable housing for local people, built to high standards and with sustainability in mind. This development also supports Abri’s commitment to deliver 10,000 new homes by 2030, helping more people access good quality, sustainable, and affordable housing. We’re proud to be working closely with Dorset Council to create a development that supports the community for generations to come."
Councillor Gill Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, and Andrew Billany, Corporate Director of Housing, from Dorset Council recently visited the Cockroad Lane site to view the progress on the new homes. The visit reflects the ongoing collaboration between Abri and Dorset Council to increase the supply of affordable housing in the area, where more than 6,000 households are currently on the housing register.
Councillor Gill Taylor from Dorset Council, commented:
"It’s fantastic to see progress on this development, which will make a real difference for residents in Beaminster and the surrounding area. Affordable housing remains a top priority for Dorset Council, and developments like Cockroad Lane are key to delivering more homes for local people.”
Through Abri’s Strategic Partnership with Homes England, grant funding is being combined with Abri’s own investment to ensure all homes are affordable. Construction is now underway, with the first homes expected to complete in spring 2028.