The Longhope CLT had planned a series of open meetings at The Latchen during 2020, but due to the current pandemic/social distancing, this has not been possible. Therefore, the Board Members have decided to issue this communication by letter.
The Longhope CLT was incorporated into a Community Benefit Society in March 2020, operating independently of The Parish Council. The initial steering group has been replaced by 8 Board members elected from the CLT membership.
Initially it was planned to develop the land behind The Latchen which is unused and already under the management of Longhope Parish Council. On investigation this area was found to be unsuitable through, poor access, a main sewage drainpipe running across the site and flood plain issues.
The CLT then began surveying 12 other sites in and around the village that were considered a possibility for development, based on suitability and availability.
Later, the areas under consideration were visited by the CLT, accompanied by Mr Ian Crawley the CLT National Technical Adviser, and at a later date by an FODDC Planning Officer and the Housing Strategy and Enabling Officer. The conclusion was that only 1 site proved to be suitable, and available for further investigation.
This site is an area off Church Road in the village between Chessgrove Lane and Meadow Rise.
Aster, our chosen Housing Association, then began negotiations with the landowner who agreed to sell his land to the Longhope CLT for the building of 12 dwellings. These will consist of homes with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms. Much more work has to be undertaken by Aster. This will include ecological and topographical surveys, design and, most importantly, access to funding from FODDC and central Government.
Quattro, the architects appointed by Aster, have drawn up draft plans for the dwellings and presented them to the CLT Board members at a site visit in September 2020. The CLT Board asked for modifications to some aspects of the design and the architects agreed to make these changes.
More recently, we have had a constructive meeting with the Lettings Officer from FODDC and Aster's letting representative. Both parties confirmed that priority will be given to Parishioners or those with a strong local connection.
All applicants for these CLT dwellings MUST be on the FODDC housing list or the Home Seekers list. The homes will be for affordable rent in perpetuity.
A CLT’s assets are for the long-term benefit of the community and can never be sold on the open market, so will always be available for Longhope residents.
The CLT Board welcome your comments and regret that this cannot be done at an open meeting. Further details are available on the Longhope CLT Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/294079718242268/members/) or the web site: https://tjcons.wixsite.com/longhopeclt.
We shall be giving you further updates as progress is made. The aims and ambitions of the Longhope Community Land Trust are to provide permanently affordable housing for the village community.
Mike Phelps,
Chairman,
Longhope CLT Board