Presentation from our first Public Meeting

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who attended, or sent apologies for not being able to make it on Thursday. We hope we managed to convey the scale of what we’ve done so far, and the importance of the next steps we need to take.

Many thanks to Chris Fawcett and Phil Houghton from Eden Housing for their guidance and support in getting us so far along this journey over the past few months, and also to Fran Richardson from Action with Communities in Cumbria for helping us refine our vision and values, Judith Derbyshire and Westmorland & Furness Council for their support, and to Greystoke Parish Council, not least Mike Bousfield who chaired the meeting last night on their behalf and who is a key member of the group.

Most importantly the success of this project will depend on our great community. We have a unique opportunity to try to build the houses we need as a community, in the way we want it to be done, rather than being dictated to by commercial builders. Let’s seize this opportunity, and plan for our future together.

Slide Deck

Our values and vision (see slide 6!) commit us to “earning the trust of the community through open, inclusive decision-making” and transparency. Here is the full slide deck and speaker notes from last night for you to read through. NB We have added 2 slides to summarise Henry’s part of the presentation after he spoke last night. You can also view the slides here.

Next Steps

The core group needs to constitute a formal Community Land Trust, and get funding and quotes for a Housing Needs Survey, so we know what we need to build.

We need you to sign up as members of the Trust once we’ve done that. This gives you the right to vote on community assets and key the decisions. And we need you to spread the word and prepare for the Housing Needs Survey.

Drop-in Sessions

Our drop-in sessions at the Pool Cafe start on Monday 3rd February. Pop in and ask us questions, sign up, share ideas and thoughts. We want to hear from you!

Meeting Minutes

30th January 2025, Greystoke Village Hall

Mike Bousfield opened the meeting at 7:30pm and welcomed all.

Allan Buckley then introduced himself and then Corrine, Ian and Margot. Then Corrine took over to explain why the group was formed and up to where we are today.
Q:- is the membership limited to the parish or wider?  Allan has some info on the CLT definition of members – we could also consider ‘supporters’ who would not have voting rights. To be defined. We’ll keep you updated on this!
Q:- How can we get people with the skills that are needed? Appeals for help for specific tasks

Eden Housing Association, Chris Fawcett
He explained what EHA is and how it started and how they will be involved in our CLT.
Q:- How can we keep the rent of the affordable houses to people of the village?  3 ways – The CLT asset lock, a covenant in the title perhaps, and a s106 local occupancy order.
Q:- When are we planning to raise funds and how long will it take to fruition? Chris thought 3-5 years might be realistic
Q:- Who applies for the funding?  At a high level – The CLT apply for funding to purchase the land, and EHA apply for Homes England grant funding for the houses

Johnby Hall Estate, Henry Howard
He explained that they are willing to sell land to the community and showed where it is on a map, that they had already gone into the flooding situation. Also that the land has gone forward in the call for sites – submitted by EHA on their behalf.

He also explained that he has the same values that the group has for the project and wants to see a low density small development of mixed affordable and market led homes.

There were no questions following this but a round of applause for all.

Approximately 15 people from the village attended and the meeting concluded at 8:30pm

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Thank You

Slide Deck

Next Steps

Drop-in Sessions

Meeting Minutes

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