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Cornwall Community Land Trust Project 2006- 2008 Cornwall Rural Housing Association Cornwall Rural
Housing Association (CRHA) is a charitable housing association registered under
the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978. The Association was
formed in 1985 with the specific aim of building houses for rent in the rural
areas of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The houses are let to local people in
housing need. What is a Community Land Trust? A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a not for profit organisation which can be an industrial and provident society, a company limited by guarantee or any other incorporated body whose governing instrument allows the organisation to provide and manage affordable housing or other facilities for the benefit of the community. The Cornwall Community Land Trust Project This was the first county-wide project in England to involve a full time Community Land Trust Project Manager. The two year project, which ran from 18th April 2006 to 30th April 2008, was funded by the Tudor Trust, Cornwall County Council, Cornwall Rural Housing Association, and DEFRA. Additional funding was received from Carrick District Council, North Cornwall District Council and Restormel Borough Council for the 2007/08 financial year. The Project led to the establishment of Cornwall CLT Limited to enable work on developing CLTs to carry on. The mechanism adopted to develop CLTs in Cornwall was:
CRHA was selected to host the Project because of
the reputation it had established as a rural specialist providing good quality
homes to meet housing needs throughout Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly. The
Association hosted the Project, undertook promotional work, assisted in
the resolution of legal and planning policy issues and offered management and
other services to any CLTs that were established. The following paragraphs provide details of the original purpose and objectives of the Project: Purpose of the project
Objectives of the project 1. Identify and implement at least six projects using the Community Land Trust mechanism and models described above providing affordable housing linked to the identified needs of local communities and involving them in delivery. Key characteristics will be that:
2. Take schemes forward so that, at the end of the two year period, there are:
3. Promote the CLT concept to:
4. Develop a strategy for establishing the suggested county-wide umbrella including local CLTs as partners. 5. Develop a dialogue with County and District Councils. 6. Develop the tools that CLTs will need, including finance, community investment expertise, intermediate market housing models, a revolving loan fund to meet initial speculative design and planning costs, access to Objective 1 subsidies for workspace etc. Community Finance Solutions (CFS) - an initiative of the University of Salford - have been contracted to act as advisors to the project, and Trowers & Hamlins (Solicitors) together with CFS have developed a constitutional starter pack for community organisations wishing to establish a Community Land Trust or Community Property Trust. This is available for a fixed fee and can be obtained from the Community Land Trust Project Manager for viewing and comment, or from www.communitylandtrust.org.uk 7. Use both the successful project outcomes and the tools developed:
8. Draw up a long term business plan based on the above to take the project forward beyond 2008. Why are CLT's attracting so much interest?
Progress to Date The County-wide "umbrella" Community Land Trust was registered in March 2007. Cornwall CLT Limited is an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Rules (Registered Number 30200R). A five year business plan has been adopted by the Board of Cornwall CLT Limited and will be presented to potential funding partners. The aim is to deliver over 180 new homes on a number of sites in the period to December 2012. Detailed planning permission has been granted for a scheme of 13 affordable homes at Blisland (near Bodmin) on land provided by North Cornwall District Council. The scheme comprises 6 affordable CLT homes for sale to local people and 7 affordable homes for rent to local people by CRHA. The homes will be ready for occupation during March 2009. Planning applications have been submitted for a further 2 schemes in Caradon. Planning applications are to be submitted for a further 4 schemes in Caradon, North Cornwall, Penwith and Restormel Districts. Caradon District Council has assisted with pre-development finance plus land on three sites. Penwith, Restormel, and Carrick District Councils are assisting with site acquisitions. Negotiations with other housing associations and private developers are well advanced on a number of other schemes with a view to acquiring finished homes. Cornwall CLT Limited is working with local groups who aim to form CLTs and deliver affordable homes in their local communities. The following local CLTs have
been registered:- This Community Land Trust was registered as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee in December 2006. The site in Rock has been purchased and the scheme started on site on the 1st October 2007. The 12 two and three bedroom bungalows will be provided for local people through a self-build scheme which is managed by the CLT. North Cornwall District Council has provided both a setting up grant and also development finance by way of a secured interest free loan. The scheme is on time and within budget and is due to complete in December 2008. A second phase is now being planned.
St Just in Roseland CLT Limited This Community Land Trust was registered as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee in April 2007. It has negotiated the purchase of a site for the scheme of 8 affordable homes for local people at St Just in Roseland using the self-build route. A detailed planning application was approved by the Council's planning committee in August 2007. The formal planning consent will be issued when a Section 106 Agreement has been signed by all parties. Carrick District Council has provided a setting up grant and will also provide the CLT with a grant to purchase the land as soon as the S.106 Agreement has been signed.
St Ewe Affordable Homes Limited This Community Land Trust was registered as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee in April 2008 with financial support provided by Restormel Borough Council. The CLT has negotiated terms (subject to contract) for the acquisition of a small rural exceptions site in partnership with CRHA and a pre-planning consultation exercise is currently underway.
Others A new CLT is to be registered for Camelford and Delabole and a group is working with the local community at Stoke Climsland.
The objectives of the Project were achieved and Cornwall CLT Limited is now continuing with this important work across the County. Contact details for further information:- Alan Fox Email: alan@crha.org.uk Telephone: 01208 264530 Direct line: 01208 892005 Mobile: 07515999680 Fax: 01208 264540 Cornwall Rural Housing Association Ltd. is a charitable Industrial and Provident Society (Registered Number 24935R) Cornwall CLT Limited is a charitable Industrial and Provident Society (Registered Number 30200R)
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