The project delivers 53 affordable homes secured through a Community Land Trust (CLT), offering social rent, shared ownership, and equity options for long-term affordability. Designed with future residents, the homes feature solar panels and a Tesla battery for low-energy living. The site includes wild spaces and a small orchard, promoting biodiversity and blending with the countryside. Longer tenancies and no right-to-buy policy enhance housing security, supporting a sustainable, community-focused lifestyle in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

 

Healthy Homes is supported by Wates Group and in association with the TCPA

 

 

Who is on the project? 

 

Masterplan and Housing architect - Barefoot Architects. 

Common House architect - Common Practice

Micro grid designer - CEPRO                                

Landscape Design concept - LT Studio                                

Landscape Design delivery - Land Products                        

AECB Consultant / Assessor - Delta Q                                

Civil Engineering - IMA                                 

Structural Engineer - JDL Consultants                        

Main Contractor - C G Fry                                

Principal Designer - Welling Partnership  

 

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and how the project was informed by health evidence and housing need.

 

Hazelmead was developed to address the urgent need for affordable, sustainable, and community-focused housing in Bridport, a town experiencing significant housing pressures. Located on the edge of Bridport in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the site balances access to local infrastructure with preservation of the natural environment. Housing affordability in Bridport is a pressing issue, with average house prices exceeding 11 times the average local income. Hazelmead directly responds to this challenge, providing 53 affordable homes secured in perpetuity through the Community Land Trust (CLT). Health and housing evidence were central to the project’s design. National studies highlight the links between housing affordability, security, and mental health, emphasizing the importance of stable tenancies and community support in fostering well-being and simultaneously addressing the loneliness epidemic. Hazelmead offers a mix of social rent, shared ownership, and shared equity homes, ensuring affordability for a diverse population. Longer tenancies and the absence of a right-to-buy policy further enhance housing security. Design decisions were informed by evidence connecting nature, social cohesion, and health. The masterplan prioritizes green spaces, including a wild area and shared vegetable gardens, promoting physical activity, mental well-being, and biodiversity. The car-free streets encourage active travel and outdoor play, while the common house supports social interaction and intergenerational connections.

 

How does this housing or mixed-use project address the Healthy Homes Principles, including ensuring affordable and secure tenancy arrangements?

 

Hazelmead exemplifies a thoughtful, community-led approach to creating housing that is affordable, sustainable, and neighbourly. Designed in collaboration with the Community Land Trust (CLT), this development was envisioned as “homes for life” where residents could thrive. Through a harmonious balance of common-sense design and the Healthy Homes Principles, Hazelmead prioritizes long-term mental and physical well-being for its residents. The development offers 53 homes with enduring affordability. Fourteen homes are available through shared equity at 80% of market value, supported by Bridport Cohousing. An additional 13 flats and houses are available for shared ownership at starting shares of 25% of market value, delivered by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) with Homes England funding. The remaining 26 flats and houses are reserved for social rent, with 10-year tenancies and no right-to-buy, ensuring community stability. Ownership of the freehold remains with the CLT, safeguarding affordability in perpetuity. Nestled on the edge of Bridport in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Hazelmead integrates seamlessly into its surroundings. Its location provides easy access to the amenities of the Allington area while preserving the natural beauty of the site. The development includes community-focused features such as car club bays for residents and locals and a common house available for wider community use. Careful attention was paid to blending the homes into the landscape. Short terraces follow the natural contours of the hill, offering framed views to the west. A third of the site is dedicated to wild spaces, including a small orchard, fostering biodiversity and creating a soft transition to the surrounding countryside. Hazelmead’s vision as a “place to grow” extends to its social, environmental, and personal dimensions. Co-designed with future residents, the masterplan emphasizes community and nature. Shared vegetable patches have become hubs for social interaction and resilience, offering opportunities to grow food and friendships. The car-free streets and natural surveillance allow children to play safely, fostering trust and intergenerational support among neighbours. Generous design choices, including large windows, high ceilings, and vaulted roof spaces, create a sense of light and spaciousness. These features, driven by resident input, elevate the homes beyond their affordability. Shared amenities like laundry facilities and tool storage free up individual living space, making the homes both compact and cost-efficient.

 

Tell us what you did to help promote, monitor or manage health and how this informed the design, delivery and the ongoing governance of the project. Was the community engaged in the process?

 

Bridport CLT’s vision for Hazelmead was to create an affordable, sustainable development that fosters a supportive community. Recognizing loneliness—particularly among older adults—as a significant risk to mental and physical health, the design prioritized intergenerational connection and social interaction, with 40% of residents aged over 60. The scheme was co-designed with the CLT to align with their goals of building a community-focused neighbourhood. Our role was to integrate design elements that encourage interaction and collective well-being. Hazelmead is a car-free development, with parking located at the edges of the site to prioritize pedestrian spaces. Open front gardens and natural surveillance through long sight lines foster safety and casual encounters among residents. Shared allotments and growing spaces weave through the site, offering opportunities for communal gardening and collaboration. The Common House and central green are pivotal to the community’s thriving social structure. The Common House, being self-built by residents, will host shared meals three times a week, members’ meetings, and social events. This space enhances collective identity and mutual support. Governance follows sociocratic principles, with decisions made collectively through work circles. Every resident contributes time and effort to ensure the smooth functioning of the community, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility. By integrating health-promoting design features, prioritizing community-building activities, and establishing cooperative governance, Hazelmead ensures long-term well-being for its residents while demonstrating the power of participatory development.