Have your say on where and how we plan new affordable housing in the three parishes of Stedham, Trotton and Rogate with the START Community Trust.

Our three communities in the rural South Downs have come together to create a Community Land Trust in order to provide low-cost housing (and other community facilities) that can be reserved for people with a local connection or an essential occupation – the detailed allocation policy will be approved by the full membership.

The community land trust is a not-for-profit community organisation run by volunteers to develop affordable housing, community facilities or other assets that meet the needs of the community with membership open to all local residents.

There are now over 550 CLTs in England and Wales, and the sector has grown hugely in the last six years. The largest CLTs have over 1,000 members each. CLTs now own and manage over 1,700 permanently affordable homes to date and are working to develop additional 5,800 homes in the next few years. We’ve joined the National CTL Network to tap into this wealth of experience and experience. You can learn a lot more about CLTs on their website: https://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/

What else can they do?

CLTs are not restricted to housing. They can also – if their members approve – buy or create other facilities – like community centres, shops, post offices, pubs, car parks and playground. All owned and run by the local community through the CLT.

It will be up to our members to decide what we can afford, but this is a community trust run by members of out community for members of our community. We plan to have a panel of members to help us choose sites and designs, the members will have to vote through any proposed development.