Showing the locations of the CLTs that attended the meeting
On the evening of Monday, September 16th, around 25 representatives from Community Land Trusts (CLTs) in North Devon and Somerset gathered in Ilfracombe for an evening of networking, sharing experiences, and receiving updates on the various projects being undertaken. Represented were CLTs from Parracombe, Georgeham Parish, Mortehoe & Woolacombe, South Molton, and Braunton, as well as the Lyn Community Development Trust and Watchet’s Base-for-Life.
Throughout the informal evening, there were some fairly consistent themes. Beyond the everyday technical issues of running a CLT, such as:
- navigating HMRC
- learning about bat roosting habits
- getting architects who respond to aspirations
- creating effective allocation policies
there were more significant themes revealed:
- How we contribute to creating futures for our communities – especially in areas that are declining in opportunities and being subsumed by holiday lets
- how we maintain our focus when housing sits amongst so many other challenging issues that are deserving of attention
- how we sustain perseverance as trusts and boards amongst frustrations, setbacks and disappointments.
Thankfully, the room strongly felt that we are stronger when connected. There are particular and peculiar issues to creating locally led housing within our various towns—not least that none of us has any flat land available—and by sharing our experiences and journeys, we can be a real support to each other.
Thanks to all who attended, we’ll do it again.