Supporting Dorset’s economic growth – future housing provision
Dorset
Three Dragons (and SQW) were commissioned by Dorset LEP to explore the relationship between jobs and housing within Dorset and the impact of growth options being explored by the LEP. In particular, Three Dragons was tasked to identify issues that employers were facing in relation to their plans for growth and barriers to housing delivery including acceleration of growth, all within the context of a changing government agenda and devolution opportunities.
The study found that the Dorset economy can anticipate growth across a number of sectors but to facilitate this housing across a range of type and tenure is needed. Current issues around supply and affordability were a key issue both for the local community and for employers wanting to retain and grow their workforce.
Three Dragons identified a range of actions for both the LEP and local authorities to consider which would help accelerate delivery across Dorset. The package was wide and varied and applicable to different areas across the LEP – it included a strategic approach to maximising current and future funding opportunities, direct local authority intervention, use of public land, ‘breaking up’ of larger stalled sites, intensification of development, encouragement of private rented sector, strategic approach to tackling viability issues and increasing capacity of the local authorities.
A number of these suggested actions have been taken on board by the LEP, with measures taken to try and address the issues identified in the Three Dragons report.
