Terry Elliott, Secretary of Ilfracombe Land Trust, Ilfracombe Town Councillor for East Ward and Housing Champion for the town reported to the council on 14th November;
"I wanted to update members on a hugely successful outcome for Ilfracombe Community Land Trust.
Terry ElliottAs you know I was keen to follow up the idea of a Land Trust after a presentation by Middlemarch to the Town Council several years ago pre Covid. It seemed a difficult task at first but it offered such a unique opportunity to address the housing crisis in Ilfracombe that a Land Trust was formed with some really proactive and amazing members. Their determination has meant not only the formation of an Ilfracombe Community Land Trust but after much hard work by members, the decision by North Devon District Council to give the Trust ownership of the land at Bicclescombe Nursery. This land, which is part of the local plan for development, will be used to build 15 custom build mixed sized homes for social rent for local people in perpetuity. It is a small but significant part of a solution to the problem of lack of housing for people in Ilfracombe. I hope that members will join me in celebrating this outcome.
There is obviously much work still to do including sharing our vision with the public and working with future residents, neighbours, architects, Middlemarch and our housing association partner to achieve an exemplary development in the heart of Ilfracombe for our Community. I will of course keep members updated."