A survey into the state of the housing market in Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Worth Matravers in Dorset, has found nearly 100 families in need of affordable homes.
Results of a three week survey in summer 2026 conducted by Dorset Council, show that the need is especially acute for affordable rented housing.
Corfe Castle may be picturesque, but the village and the surrounding area suffers from a lack of affordable homes for local residents
Plans to be submitted soon
The survey comes as plans for up to 25 affordable rented homes on a piece of land off Tabbit’s Hill Lane, Harman’s Cross, are being drawn up with the aim of submitting them for planning permission in early 2027.
Corfe Castle Community Land Trust (CLT) has been working on the proposal with the Corfe Castle Charity which owns the site.
The land sits within Corfe Castle parish but is close to the boundaries of Worth Matravers parish and Harman’s Cross village.
The registered housing provider, Aster Group, is preparing to submit the planning application for the site in collaboration with the CLT, and has said there will be full consultation with residents in Corfe Castle and Harman’s Cross villages to discuss plans when they are drawn up.
But it seems likely there will be some opposition in Harman’s Cross, where some residents are already objecting to building on the greenfield site.
Plans for up to 25 affordable rental homes on this field at Harman’s Cross are to be submitted soon
Level of support revealed
The local housing needs survey of 296 people was carried out over three weeks in June and July 2026 to understand the scale of housing need in Corfe Castle and Worth Matravers parishes, and also the level of support in the community for affordable housing.
It shows that 97 households with a local connection to Corfe Castle and Worth Matravers are in need of housing, with 73 homes with local connections specifically identifying the need for affordable rented housing.
Undertaken by Dorset Council together with Corfe Castle CLT and Corfe Castle and Worth Matravers parish councils, the survey also found that 52 percent of those questioned supported the proposed homes at Tabbit’s Hill to some degree, while 43 percent opposed the scheme.
Some 30 sites were investigated for affordable housing in Corfe Castle village, but all of them fell through
“Taken aback by scale of need”
Chair of Corfe Castle CLT Colin Fuller said:
“We knew the numbers were high from conversations we’ve had with the community, however, we’ve been taken aback by the scale of need highlighted by the survey.
“The need has been clearly evidenced and the CLT will now move forward with its plans for the creation of much needed affordable rented housing in the Purbeck Valley.
“We are losing families from our community, talented people who bring so much value, and we want to stop this unnecessary exodus due to affordability issues for those who prefer to stay.”
Map of proposed development at Harman’s Cross
“Want to do the best for the community”
Colin Fuller added:
“We are delighted that the community actively participated in the survey and so many people chose to share their views.
“Given the scale of housing need identified through the survey, we would encourage those who are undecided, neutral, or opposed to the project to take a closer look at the evidence and engage with us as our plans develop.
“As a community we will get much more out of the project if we have constructive dialogue and build this project together. We want to do the best for our community and would encourage those with questions to raise them.
“We appreciate any new housing project comes with challenges especially within rural communities, but we can also work together to build assets that will be retained in perpetuity.”
Some residents of Harman’s Cross are worried Tabbit’s Hill Lane would be used by construction traffic if the plans go ahead
“Housing should be built where there is both a need and infrastructure to support it”
But Sue Hine representing an informal group of some Harman’s Cross residents said:
“Good planning means the right development in the right place, and this new proposal is not. We call on the CLT and Corfe Castle Charity to reconsider the aims and consequences of their plans and to find a sustainable solution to Corfe Castle’s needs.
“There is clearly a desire for lower cost housing in Purbeck. However, surveys are only the start of assessing need, and not everyone hoping for affordable or social housing would qualify for it.
“Surveys are also susceptible to multiple and self selecting responses that can distort the statistics.
“The true size of the need is therefore uncertain, but Dorset Council’s housing register is arguably a reliable guide. Whatever the need, housing should be built where there is both a need and infrastructure to support it.
Harman’s Cross village hall saw a meeting in April 2026 where residents expressed a variety of differing views to the housing plans
Further information
- Details about the proposed new homes at Harman’s Cross are on the CLT website
