Cheaper homes may tempt back villagers

A TOWN trust could soon become the first charity in East Anglia to build affordable housing using just its own funds.

By the end of the year, Dunwich Town Trust will have built two new homes for affordable rent, and is already looking for local residents to be the first tenants.

John Cary, clerk to the trust, said: "We think that we will be the first charitable trust in East Anglia to build affordable homes.

"We aren't a registered social landlord and we won't be applying for a loan or grant funding. All the costs are coming from our own funds."

The houses were designed by Ipswich architects Barefoot & Gilles, known for their award-winning affordable housing. Architect Roger Gilles said: "Demand for affordable rented property in rural East Anglia is continuing to rise.

"New ways are emerging to meet that demand, and we are helping a range of organisations continue to build affordable housing, even during the recession."

The town trust was formed in 1889 to administer the property of the dissolved corporation of Dunwich, previously owned as an estate village by the Barne family.

It was endowed with property to fund its work, which has included renting homes, donating poor relief and acting for the general benefit of the inhabitants of Dunwich.

It currently owns and rents out five properties at reasonable rents and has an income from investments, but the new terrace of two homes will be the first houses the trust has built since the 1920s.

It also gives grants to other institutions in Dunwich such as the church and the museum, and helped finance the experimental sea defence project in 2007.

Recently it canvassed the village on new projects including the affordable homes scheme.

With average house prices in Dunwich at more than £500,000, Mr Cary estimates only half of the 100 people on the electoral role actually live in the village.

"People who work locally just can't afford to live here," he said. "We hope to find tenants from within Dunwich or the surrounding villages who can stay and keep the village alive."

Local residents who would like to be considered should contact the town trust by e-mail at johncary@btinternet.com.

This article originally appeared in the EADT on 27 June 2011 and is reproduced here by kind permission of the publisher

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