Local homes, long-term future: Fiddleford builds for the next generation

Residents of a new lower cost housing development in Sturminster Newton have shared how much they value their new homes and the positive difference the development has made to their lives.

Speaking at the official opening, Joanna House said all the residents had stories about how they got to live at Fiddleford Ridge. “Mine I feel is spectacular because of the speed in which it was executed by Dorset Council and BCHA. In just 3 days from start of bidding, I was handed the keys and I’m still pinching myself!

“On behalf of us all: old, young, newborn babies, dogs, cats and all in between. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for an amazing collaboration and a place we can all call home.”

Chloe Fraser and her young son moved to Fiddleford Ridge from Bournemouth at Christmas: “We are so happy. This is more than we expected when we bid for the property. I saw the house and I couldn’t believe it… we have all that we need here. We have everything around here, with schools. I can’t see us wanting to move.”

Ninety-two-year-old Violet Fry said she had moved a month ago from her house five miles away in Shroton, after working for 58 years in Shroton House, to be closer to her son: “It’s wonderful – it’s all one floor so I don’t have to climb the steps and its lovely and quiet.”

Fiddleford Ridge comprises of 28 new lower cost homes – a mixture of 18 social rent houses and 10 shared ownership homes.

Councillor Gill Taylor, Cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, said it was important to provide genuinely affordable housing, especially in our rural towns, such as Sturminster Newton.

“Developments liked Fiddleford Ridge help local residents stay close to family, to employment and to the community they’re part of.”

Speaking at the official opening last week, Cllr Taylor praised the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) for stepping forward as the registered provider and Wyatt Homes as the developer of the homes.

“This will be a fantastic place to live, offering the peace and calm of the surrounding countryside while remaining close to the town’s amenities. This is a real cause for celebration – not just the development, but what it represents: investment in our communities, support for our residents and a commitment to creating places people are proud to call home.”

In the past financial year, our providers brought forward 423 lower cost homes (a mixture of affordable rent, social rent, lower cost and first homes). This is slightly lower than the 450 target, due to the poor spring weather and nutrient neutrality issues. This year’s stretched target of 500 is one we are optimistic of meeting.

Rural Housing Week takes place every year and is run by the National Housing Federation. It is a chance for Dorset Council, housing associations, rural organisations and community partners to spotlight the vital role low-cost housing plays in supporting and sustaining communities in rural areas across England.

The week is designed to showcase how genuinely low-cost homes help people remain in the communities where they work and have family ties, while supporting local services, resilience and long-term economic growth.