Over the past year the Peninsula Villages Community Land Trust (PVCLT) has been busy with the detailed development issues relating to its first affordable houses: two pairs of semi-detached houses that form part of the newly named Martello Close development in School Lane, Bawdsey.
Initial progress was much slower than was hoped for; management agreements took time to finalise and the impact of Covid-19 continued to cause some delays. So the PVCLT Trustees were delighted when the developer, Crocus Contractors, and the builders, Brooks and Wood, were finally able to move onto the site and begin work. Building is now progressing and work on the required road widening, new footpaths and entrance driveway, timed to coincide with school holidays, has been completed.
The Trustees continue to seek a second site; several possible locations in the area have been explored and initial discussions with the East Suffolk Planning department have taken place. A small plot of land at the end of Coronation Avenue, Hollesley, was suggested as suitable for 3 or 4 affordable units. We were asked by East Suffolk Council (ESC) to prepare a robust business case for this project but changes in housing policy at ESC indicate that the Council now sees itself as the main provider of affordable housing and now intends to build on the plot itself. This change of position is disappointing and has frustrated and angered Trustees who feel that the carpet has been pulled from under their feet, wasting effort, time and money. As parishioners and members, we would urge you to ensure ESC follows through and builds these affordable homes on Coronation Avenue as promised.
ESC has changed its policy on how it intends to use the remaining money it holds from the Government’s Community Housing Fund. We have been told that, with the income we will receive from the School Lane properties, we should be self-funding. This income, however, will be far too low to obtain a mortgage or other conventional funding. As it is unlikely that that we will be offered any further financial support from ESC, we must therefore look to other sources of grant aid which, in this financial environment, seems very unlikely to be offered.
We have requested a meeting with the relevant ESC officers to ascertain their view on the role and future of PVCLT and other Community Land Trusts in East Suffolk. Since requesting a meeting in July, we still are waiting to hear.
Despite the challenges of developing the PVCLT and establishing a sound business model to take it forward, the Trustees are pleased with their progress to date and continue to believe that the organisation can play an important part in sustaining the Peninsula villages.