Steve Watson

Partnerships between Community

Land Trusts and Housing

Associations

Presentation

1. What is a CLT?2. The Wessex CLT Project3. Examples of current projects4. Pros and Cons5. Questions

What is a Community Land Trust?

Four Principles

1. Not-for-private-profit organisation set up to benefit a specific community.

2. CLTs can own land and other assets which are important to a community – with an emphasis on affordable housing.

3. CLTs hold those assets so that they are available and affordable for future generations.

4. A CLT is open to membership by anyone in the community supporting its aims.

Non-housing projects

• Land • Homes• Pub• Shop

• Car park• WCs• Post office• Allotments

• Orchard• Office space• Workshops• Solar/hydro power

The Wessex CLT Project

Established in 2010 to support new CLTs in Somerset, Devon and Dorset

• Now established 18 CLTs in Somerset, Devon and Dorset -17 working with HAs

• To build 200 affordable homes - mostly for rent

• All on community-owned land

• Using c.£7.5m of grant

• And generating incomes for communities.

2009: Stand-alone CLT projects –inspirational and challenging

2010: The first Partnerships with HAs

Worth Matravers CLT and Synergy Housing

Symene CLT and Hastoe Housing

CLT/HA Partnerships

Community Land Trust Housing Association Numbers

Symene CLT Hastoe 10

Christow CLT Teign 18

Queen Camel CLT Hastoe 20

Marshwood CLT Hastoe 7

Bradworthy CLT Aster 10

BSUP&C CLT Hastoe 7

Toller Porcorum CLT Aster 6

Corry Valley CLT Yarlington 6

Upper Culm CLT Hastoe 12

Upper Frome Valley CLT Aster 14

Powerstock and District CLT Hastoe 8

Norton sub Hamdon CLT Yarlington 10

Cheriton Bishop CLT Teign 8

Lyme Regis CLT Yarlington 15

Sixpenny Handley CLT TBA 11

Chagford CT TBA 26

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

HOUSING ASSN.

LAND

3. HA acquires

leasehold

4. CLT leads on design, numbers of

homes, allocation criteria; HA

finances, builds and manages homes

1. CLT leads on site

selection

5. HA pays ground

rent to CLT

7. CLT can break

lease with HA

6. CLT is a party to

Section 106 agreement2. CLT acquires

freehold

Examples of current CLT/HA projects

Upper Culm CLT and Hastoe Housing

Working with a local developer

Norton sub Hamdon CLT and Yarlington Housing

Overcoming opposition

Christow CLT and Teign Housing

Passivhaus homes on Dartmoor

Corry Valley CLT and Yarlington Housing

Protecting the landowner

Queen Camel CLT and Hastoe

Housing – Neighbourhood Planning

Marshwood CLT and Hastoe Housing

Building in an AONB

Toller Porcorum CLT and Aster Housing

Providing a new post office

Bradworthy CLT and Aster Housing

Choosing a difficult site

Powerstock and District CLT and Hastoe Housing

Building in a Conservation Area

Chagford Community Trust

Becoming part of a developer-led scheme

The pros and cons (for CLTs) of working with a housing association

Pros for CLTs• Very low risk

• High probability of homes being built

• Freehold ownership in perpetuity

• An income from ground rents

• The option to buy the HA out of its lease

• Being a party to the planning agreement

• Leadership on key issues

• Reasonable time commitment

• Letting of the homes is at arm’s length

• The creation of a CLT for other projects

Cons for CLTs

• Less income for the CLT than if the homes were owned outright

• Keeping up with the CLT!

• Changes of staff at the HA

• The quality of some of the HA’s consultants

• Rents at 80% of market value

• Under-occupation by one bedroom

Steve Watsonsteve.watson.cltproject@gmail.com

Any questions?