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Computer graphic representation of the Ilfracombe CLT affordable housing proposal for the former Bicclescombe Nurseries.
Just sometimes things come together just right. This was very much the case when North Devon Council were successful in obtaining brownfield site infrastructure funding for the derelict Bicclescombe Nursery at the same time as Ilfracombe’s newly created Community Land Trust (ICLT) began looking for a first site.
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Computer Generated Image of the proposed Bicclescombe Nursery Site development.
We’re delighted to say that the application to build on the Bicclescombe site has now been submitted to the Planning department at NDDC. You can see all the details via this link - https://planning.northdevon.gov.uk/Planning/Display/78083 (and we do mean all – house plans, drains, hedges, how many bats live there, etc).
Read more: More News on the Bicclescombe Project - Planning Application Now in Progress
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Members of the ICLT meeting visitors to the display stand
Board members of Ilfracombe Community Land Trust were invited to have a stall at the annual Ilfracombe and District Business and Tourism Association event on November 6th. This year the event was held at the Lantern Centre and the ICLT exhibited alongside a range of other businesses and organisations.
It was an opportunity to network and inform businesses in town about Land Trusts and what they do. Board members had some interesting discussions and there was useful feedback. The stall had a display of our current project to build 16 units of social housing at the Bicclescombe Nursery Site, as well as information and leaflets about our ambitions as a Land Trust. We also managed to recruit several new members.
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Architect Matt Steart outlining the proposal to the public meeting
On Tuesday the 19th of September the Ilfracombe Community Land Trust (ICLT) held a public engagement event to present plans for social housing on the Bicclescombe Nursery site.
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Members of the Project Team discuss design options
Over the past few months bi-weekly meetings between stakeholders in the Bicclescombe Nursery development have been taking place and, with Middlemarch’s guidance, getting all the pieces in place to move this project onto the next phases.
This has meant discussing aspirations with our partner Housing Assosciation, Aster, who have a large and growing portfolio of successful housing developments responding to the housing crisis and offering high quality, well-maintained accommodation.
Similarly, we have been looking at sketches and initial plans with our appointed North Devon architects, Woodward Smith who have undertaken several large, local projects with beautiful results.
Read more: Bicclescombe Project Update: Everyone’s at the table
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Entrance to the old Parks Department nursery.Ilfracombe Community Land Trust is delighted that North Devon Council has agreed to transfer the freehold of the former Bicclescombe Nursery site to the Trust for the development of much-needed new social housing.
There is a long road ahead, but the Community Land Trust wants to work alongside local people from the beginning, consulting with potential tenants, neighbours, and expert advisers to provide housing that meets the needs of the community - as far as possible respecting the natural environment of the site while enabling local people to live in comfortable, affordable housing in their own town.
lfracombe Community Land Trust is a not-for-profit group made up of local people. It plans to partner with an experienced and registered provider of social housing to provide approximately 15 new units on the site, which has been unoccupied since 2005.
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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."