CCH Case Study: Youlgreave CLT | Researcher: Philippa Hughes | Date: July 2020

Youlgreave CLT Working with a housing association CCH Case Study: Youlgreave CLT

At a glance Photos

• Youlgreave Community Land Trust is a community benefit society

• Board of 12, made up of people living in the parish of Youlgreave

• New build of 8 houses on Hannah Bowman Way all now occupied, 6 affordable rent, 2 shared ownership and a community orchard

• Houses allocated by local social lettings system, including a ten year local connection policy which is required in planning permission for new builds in the National Park (planning authority).

• Housing is managed by Peak District Rural Housing Association

• YCLT own the Freehold and Peak District Rural Housing Association have a 100-year lease on the buildings

• Development by emh group (partner of PDRHA)

• Funded through Homes grant, Dales District Council grant, borrowing by Peak District Rural Housing Association and income from the shared ownership scheme Researcher: Philippa Hughes

Overview

By not undertaking the work of a frequently wrote about the project Youlgreave CLT developer themselves, the CLT saved in the village magazine, seeking (YCLT) started themselves a large and complex comments from residents, and had task which was instead undertaken three community participation days as a community by trusted professionals. The where people were invited to come development work was undertaken and discuss the scheme. The CLT had group interested by emh group which set out a tender, significant backing from the local in providing more reviewed by the CLT, and appointed authority in the form of support a contractor that it had successfully with the process and a grant for the affordable housing worked with before. It was originally houses, which reflects the District within the village. predicted that four out of eight of Council’s own stated priority of the houses would need to be shared providing housing. ownership properties, but during They knew from the beginning of the development emh group was However, the process was not their journey that they did not want able to bring this down to two, in completely uncontroversial. Some to become a housing provider, owning line with the CLT’s ambition to have parish councillors who were friendly and managing the homes, but to as many homes for affordable rent to the CLT lost their seats over the accomplish the development in line as possible. The houses are a high- issue, meaning the CLT could not with the needs of the village. On quality build that the CLT and the rely on the support of the Parish recommendation from Derbyshire village can be proud of. The finances Council with the planning application. Dales rural housing, who had worked were managed by PDRHA. YCLT was Additionally, a group mobilised a with them previously, they partnered pleased not to control large sums ‘Village Green’ application to prevent with a local housing association, Peak of money as this greatly decreased development, which was turned District Rural Housing Association its administrative burden. The CLT down at public enquiry but slowed (PDRHA). Over a period of ten years, was always clear that it did not want the project by 18 months. However, the CLT and PDRHA worked together to manage housing allocation or the CLT was able to overcome this by to marshal finance, acquire planning ongoing management, stating it sees demonstrating the findings from its permission, and achieved the itself as an organisation that enables earlier consultation work showing development of 8 houses managed by affordable housing in the village, not broad local support. PDRHA in the village. a housing organisation itself. Since building has been completed Peak District Rural Housing Both parties attribute the success of these tensions have been reconciled, Association (PDRHA) took charge of the project to the determination of as local residents are able to see the development and management of the CLT and the strong relationship the high-quality affordable homes the houses in a partnership that has that was built between the partners. enjoyed by local people who were in worked excellently according to both Staying in contact, attending housing need. The houses were even parties. PDRHA works specifically meetings and building relationships celebrated at the “Well Dressing”, a to provide affordable housing within with individuals was key to seeing local Derbyshire rural tradition that the Peak District National Park, it was the scheme through to completion. brings the village together for a week recommended by Derbyshire District The experience of YCLT stresses of celebration. Extensive consultation Council and has a special interest the importance of finding the right and alignment with the Housing in working with small, community housing association to partner with. Needs Assessment allowed YCLT led schemes. PDRHA was able to For YCLT that is one committed to to demonstrate that the 8 houses draw down a grant from Homes acting locally and that actively seeks represented a real community need England as a registered provider, out community engagement. and to garner broad community manage the development through support for the scheme which was its partner organisation, emh group, YCLT extensively consulted with essential in overcoming some of the and manages the homes including the village over its plans and hurdles in the development process. the letting process. YCLT owns the sought planning permission based freehold and PDRHA pays them a on fulfilling the housing need in yearly ground rent. The CLT sees its Youlgreave identified in the Housing role as liaising with the community Needs Assessment conducted by and owning the freehold so that the the local authority. During the houses always remain affordable. whole development process, the CLT CCH Case Study: Youlgreave CLT

Quotes Learning points

“I’ve particularly enjoyed working • Partnering with a housing with community land trusts, association can be a good way for community led housing groups to because they’re a way into the avoid the workload and expense community and I can be sure of managing developments and that the housing that we’re hiring contractors themselves producing is for that community (plus procurement of finance) and has their commitment and • It can also keep the turnover backing. We bring our skills in of the group low and removes terms of developing houses and the need for groups to become registered providers of social managing them. But it really adds housing themselves, making a premium to those houses that governance more straightforward we’ve had that local input.” • Some housing associations Alison Clamp are more suited to this work Development Manager, Peak District Rural Housing than others, this depends on the organisations operating in your area “We see ourselves as an enabling organisation other • Alignment with a housing need survey, extensive consultation than a housing organisation. and communication help Yeah, you know we feel proud overcome local objections because we have enabled the housing to be built.”

Richard Powley Chair, Youlgreave Community Land Trust

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