A Dicks
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Community Land Trust - 2008/09/24 09:31
At last Lewes is getting its own Community Land Trust.
This will compete with private developers to purchase suitable sites and then develop them on a not-for-profit basis, creating developments that the town needs and wants, with genuine sustainable (in the truest sense of the word)mixed development, low cost housing that won’t flood, parks, sports facilities, etc.
If only the Land Trust had been up and running several years ago, it might now be in a position to pose a creditable alternative to the scale and size of the development proposals submitted by Angel Property for the Phoenix.
But all may not yet be lost. Hopefully, Lewes CLT will be able to assist our District and Town Councils by taking over their not inconsiderable assetts on the west side of North Street and then developing and managing them on a not for profit basis for the benefit of the people.
Government is encouraging local authorities up and down the land to transfer assets into the Community.
Other sites present different opportunities. Harvey's former Depot in Pinwell Road, The Bus Station, which surely must be restored as a bus station, the Police Station in West St., the Canon O'Donnell Community Hall at the top of the town are just four. And of course other sites that we don't yet know about.
Running a successful Community Land Trust will require a massive and continuing commitment from several people. It also requires a degree of commitment from everyone. All of us who live in and care about Lewes.
So I ask -
Do you want Lewes to have a flourishing community land trust, ready and able to take on and beat private developers, creating developments that Lewes can enjoy and be proud of?
Would you be prepared to purchase a £10 share in the Trust (this would not commit you to any further financial involvement)?
LCLT is keen to find out what support there is in Lewes for a Community Land Trust and has recently sent a survey questionnaire out to every home in Lewes. Hopefully this will begin to demonstrate a good level of support. So please complete your survey, if you have been sent one.
In the meantime if anyone would like to know more about Lewes Community Land Trust, its aims and the way it is being set up, please email: ajdicks@hotmail.com
But just as important, use this forum to tell us what you think.
Anthony
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