A GROUP of Stoke Climsland residents have been given the community's backing to investigate the idea of setting up a trust to provide local housing for local people. Around 100 villagers attended a public meeting in the parish hall to hear for the first time about plans to help tackle the local housing crisis. Many were in favour of setting up a community land trust which aims to benefit the community by ensuring the long-term availability of affordable housing, but some wanted more information before reaching a decision. John Brown, who with two other local residents instigated the idea, said he was encouraged by the response, because the majority voted in favour of 'pursuing the process'. He said there were three possible sites in the village, all owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which would be suitable. The maximum number of homes that could be built in a community land trust development was 16. 'We all know of a young person in the parish who needs housing for themselves, their husband or wife and children, but cannot afford to stay in the village,' he said. 'We have approached the Duchy who have been helpful and supportive and so has North Cornwall District Council.' The district council has offered a grant of £4,000 so the group can get the necessary legal documents drawn up and acquire charitable status. 'The whole point of a trust like this is to keep the young people of the parish here — there are very strict controls in terms of getting local people into these homes and making sure the houses remain affordable in perpetuity,' added Mr Brown. Among guests at the meeting were representatives from the St Minver Community Land Trust, whose scheme for 12 self-build bungalows on land at Rock has been supported by a grant of £5,000 and a loan of £544,000 from North Cornwall District Council. The development is aimed at helping local people get onto the housing ladder in one of the highest priced housing areas in England. The Stoke Climsland group would be looking at working with a housing association to deliver the rented and shared ownership homes but would ultimately be managing the scheme. District councillor for Stoke Climsland, Neil Burden, who also attended the meeting, said this was one means of working outside a defined development boundary. 'If there is an initiative from a local group who then become a community land trust, the district council can look favourably at developing the land outside the boundaries of the town or village,' he said. 'It is a loophole which the Government created itself.' He did however add that it was a very long and drawn-out process and it would be three years before the village would see these homes, if the scheme was approved.
