Community bulb-planting in Lake's Down, Upton Pyne
What is the Community Land Trust?
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The Brampford Speke, Upton Pyne & Cowley Community Land Trust (CLT) is a Community Benefit Society answerable to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our members are a group of local volunteers, operating this not-for-profit organisation that works to provide affordable homes for people with strong local connections, and public green space for the whole community. The CLT’s role is to coordinate the inputs from the two Parish Councils, East Devon District Council, Devon County Council, public subsidies, the landowner and a housing association.
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If you think you may qualify or know someone who might be in need of affordable housing, now or in the future please contact Sally Discombe - sallydiscombe@gmail.com
Sally will add your name to our contact list. She will answer any questions you have and help guide you through the process. Your details will be treated confidentially.
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We are a welcoming and inclusive group. People of any age who share our vision are very welcome to join our organisation. Membership costs £1. Please contact us for more information.​
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I work near here, grew up here and have family here. I wanted to stay in the village but there was no way I could afford anything locally. I am so thankful that this affordable house came up at just the right time.
Resident, affordable housing, Lake’s Down, Upton Pyne
I work near here, grew up here and have family here. I wanted to stay in the village but there was no way I could afford anything locally. I am so thankful that this affordable house came up at just the right time.
Resident, affordable housing, Lake’s Down, Upton Pyne
How is it done?
How do CLTs like ours go about providing affordable housing for local people?
Firstly, not on our own! There are a large number of key partners & players to be brought together, and not all of them have the same interests/objectives: the local community (its broad support is essential), the local Parish Council, the local authority responsible for Housing and Planning (in our case EDDC), the landowner, the partner Housing Association, Homes England (the government body which provides most of the subsidy for affordable housing). And behind these players are a large number of specialist consultants – architect, various specialist surveyors & consultants etc.
Its not just the CLT that does the bringing together. There are some specialist & experienced intermediaries – in our case one called Middlemarch – that can play a vital role.
In the case of villages such as ours the site for the affordable housing is almost always what is known in Planning terms as a ‘Rural Exception Site’ – a site on the edge of or in the village, which would not normally get planning permission for housing except where it can be shown that it will help meet a locally-identified need for affordable housing.
Landowners will expect more than basic agricultural values for their land, but also way less than if their site was developed out for open-market housing. Often – as in our case – the landowner will be allowed by the Planners to have the benefit of a couple of open-market plots for themselves, rather than getting anything directly for their land.
With respect to managing & maintaining the completed affordable homes, this is normally down to the partner Housing Association rather than the CLT, but the CLT will definitely have some influence on the lettings policies – to ensure that lettings are prioritised for local people.
Rents are nowadays set at what are known as “social rent” levels – a Government formula which results in rents which are about 50%-60% of market levels.
The word “affordable” says it all - many local people on perhaps a below average wage will never stand a chance of getting a decent home unless the rents are indeed affordable.
Community Land Trust Member
It is increasingly difficult for local people to find affordable housing in the South West, because of prices and availability. Family members and local employees including health workers, need the support of local initiatives such as the CLT.
Community Land Trust Member
I’m keen to help young people from the village have a chance of bringing up a family locally.
Community Land Trust Member