15 June 2026
First residents move in to Abri homes at Foundry Lea, Bridport
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed tenure homes, has completed its first new homes at the Foundry Lea development in Bridport.
17 homes have now been handed over to Abri, with a further six completing imminently, marking a key milestone for the development, which forms part of a major new neighbourhood delivering around 760 new homes on the western outskirts of Bridport.
The new two- and three-bedroom houses, which are a mix of shared ownership and affordable rent, provide high-quality new places to live for local families.
As Foundry Lea progresses, Vistry is set to provide a total of 245 properties across two parcels of land at the site. These include new homes for sale on the open market under the Bovis Homes brand, and shared ownership properties and homes for affordable rent delivered under partnerships with Abri and Magna Housing.
In total, Abri will manage 137 across the site, including 46 for shared ownership and 81 for affordable rent. Abri is funding the homes through its strategic partnership with Homes England, alongside its own investment, to ensure all of the 137 homes are affordable. The homes for rent will be allocated via Dorset Council’s housing register to people with the greatest need and a local connection.
Foundry Lea sits within easy reach of the Jurassic Coast and is set around the undulating valley of the River Simene. On-site amenities are also planned, including a new primary school, leisure
centre, sports pitches, play areas and green spaces.
Peter Tannian, Managing Director of Vistry Cornwall, said: “The first completions are always a key moment for any development: as people move in, plots become homes and sites become places. We’re pleased to hand over these first homes to our partners at Abri, providing much-needed new affordable housing for local people. Foundry Lea promises to be an exceptional place to live that reflects our commitment to creating sustainable places that incorporate well-planned mixed tenure homes and support thriving communities.”
Sam Stone, Land and Planning Director at Abri, said: “Affordable homes are essential to the long-term strength of communities to give local people the chance to stay in the area and contribute to the life of the town. With more than 7,000 households on the Dorset Council housing register, the need for high-quality affordable housing across the county is clear, and developments like Foundry Lea have an important role to play in meeting that demand.”