About the TCLT

History of the Thorverton Community Land Trust (TCLT)

In the previous eight years prior to the formation of TCLT in 2023, two large sites had been built in the village by commercial developers, with some affordable housing having to be provided to satisfy planning regulations. A number of villagers found difficulty in getting access to the affordable houses on one development and brought their concerns to the Parish Council in early 2022. As a result of this a PC working group (TAHG, Thorverton Affordable Housing Group) was set up to see what might be possible if local people worked together.

TAHG was originally a group of five, including three council members of the PC, the PC Clerk and a resident of Thorverton who had extensive background in this field, having been a senior member of a similar group that had built Affordable Homes in nearby Upton Pyne.

TAHG were given positive and welcome support by MDDC Housing and Planning Enabling Dept from the early stages, with the funding of a Housing Needs Survey in the first instance. This important initial step was needed to establish the real demand for Affordable Housing in Thorverton.

The HNS was carried out by Devon Communities Together, an independent charity that has been undertaking such surveys for more than ten years. The survey was sent to 479 addresses, with 146 returned, a very good 30% response rate. The survey’s summary initially identified the need for 14 Affordable Homes, but this was subsequently increased to 19 when the HNS deadline was extended. This would include a mix of social/affordable rented and shared ownership, which is considered a significant number for a village of this size.

In addition, the section for the over 55's showed that 11 households expect to move in the next 5 years, the majority (64%) wanting a home that is better suited to their needs, but not specifically designed for older people. The question now raised is whether the stock available on the open market in the village is suitable for such downsizing.

TAHG took these results to the Parish at Open Meetings where it was agreed to form a Community Land Trust which would continue with the work started by TAHG. The new Thorverton CLT met for the first time in November 2023 with the original TAHG members being superseded by a new larger Steering Group of CLT members.