Our Journey S0 Far
History to the formation of the Georgeham Parish Community Land Trust
The need for affordable housing for people with a local connection to Georgeham Parish featured when Georgeham Parish Council started drafting the Neighbourhood Plan. This was raised with North Devon District Council who suggested a meeting with Wessex Community Land Trust Project who are experienced in advising on affordable home projects in the South West.
To better understand the need, Georgeham Parish Council commissioned a Housing Needs Survey in March 2019 and the results were published in June 2019.
Housing Needs Survey - June 2019
The Housing Needs Survey revealed a need for 18 affordable homes in the Parish over the next 5 years. Of those, 13 households needed social rented property and 5 households could consider shared ownership/discounted sale/self- build. 14 households were seeking 1 or 2 bed homes for single people or couples. The other 4 households were seeking 2 bedroom homes for families. There is a shortage of 1 and 2 bedroom dwellings in the Parish. Homes are needed for a range of households: younger and older people; families, couples and single people. Affordable homes are needed to help to support and maintain a diverse and vibrant community in the Parish for all ages.
In July 2019 the findings of the Housing Needs Survey were presented to the community in public presentations held in Georgeham and Croyde.. People attending the meetings and members of the Parish who expressed an interest in setting up a project to deliver affordable housing for the Parish, were invited to put themselves forward.
In September 2019 Georgeham Parish Community Land Trust Steering Group was formed from volunteers from the Parish. Support was provided by representatives from the Wessex Community Land Trust Project, North Devon District Council and Devon Communities Together. The Steering Group explored different ways in which the project could be delivered and this led to:-
Incorporation and registration of Georgeham Parish Community Land Trust Limited as a community benefit society with the Financial Conduct Authority on 3 December 2019 - registered number 8265 (Georgeham Parish CLT).
Georgeham Parish CLT is a “not for profit” community benefit society run by local volunteers with a connection to the Parish, for the benefit of the Parish community.
In February 2020, public meetings were held in Georgeham and Croyde to launch Georgeham Parish CLT and attract membership and involvement from others in the Parish.
It has a growing membership from people living or working in the Parish, who are interested in the community delivering genuinely affordable housing for those with a close connection to the Parish.
Logo
In February 2020, pupils from Georgeham (C of E) Primary School were invited to design a logo for the CLT. The standard of designs was very impressive and the logo which was chosen is set out below, as are those of the runners up. Sunday was the winner with her eye catching home surrounded by sand, sea, sky and sun. The runners up were Amelie; Josie and Theo who produced some truly wonderful designs. The winning logo has been adapted for use on Georgeham Parish CLT documentation.
The Start Up Support Programme
In April 2020 the CLT received seed corn funding from and became part of the Community Led Homes Start Up Support Programme.
The Community Led Homes Start Up Support Programme aims to help groups of local people to develop their own community led housing solutions. Funded by the Community Housing Fund from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). More information can be found at www.communityledhomes.org.uk/get-funding
Community Led Homes is run by four leading community-led housing organisations: Confederation of Co-operative Housing, Locality, National Community Land Trust Network and UK Cohousing.
What is community led housing?
Community led housing is a way that people and communities can come together to solve their own housing challenges and provide high quality and affordable homes. The homes are managed or owned by the community in the way they want.
Election of the Board of Georgeham Parish CLT by its members
On incorporation, the Board of directors and members of the Georgeham Parish CLT were volunteers from the Parish who had been on the Steering Group.
A Special General Meeting was held on 20 May 2020 for the members of the Society to democratically elect its Board.
The Board explores different possible sites for building affordable homes and applies for grants and raises funds on behalf of GPCLT to take the project forward. When a viable site or sites have been identified, details will be put before the community. People who become members of Georgeham Parish CLT can apply to be a member of the Board and vote at General Meetings of Georgeham Parish CLT.
