Welcome to the Autumn 2019 GCLT newsletter
I hope that you have enjoyed a very nice summer. I suspect that this next 12 months is going to be busy time for the GCLT.
As you may be aware, a housing need survey was carried out in Gittisham in 2016 which identified the need for 6 affordable homes in the parish. Gittisham Community Land Trust (GCLT) has been formed to undertake the development of these homes. The GCLT has been working closely with the Combe Estate to identify a suitable site for a small development and after a public meeting on 16th May their preferred site (Agricultural Buildings former Town Farm, Exeter Road) was officially endorsed by the majority of those attending.
The Heads of Terms for the acquisition of the site have been agreed.
The next steps are to engage solicitors, consultants, architects and a housing association who will manage the homes and then to submit a planning application to East Devon District Council. A grant application to EDDC to cover the initial financial costs will be submitted shortly.
As Gittisham is a small rural village, the need for these homes must be justified. Therefore as the housing need survey is now over 3 years old and people’fs circumstances may have changed in the intervening years, it has been decided to update the housing need in the parish. As part of this process the GCLT is running a “gdrop-in”h event for anyone interested in affordable housing in the village.
Time & Date : 3 – 7 pm Thursday 10th October 2019
Venue : Gittisham Village Hall
At this drop-in, representatives from Gittisham CLT and Wessex CLT Project, the Devon Rural Housing Enabler and East Devon District Council Housing Options department will be available to discuss the development and to advise how to register on Devon Home Choice which is the local housing register. All conversations will be held in strictest confidence and no personal data will be passed on to members of the GCLT or Parish Council.
In order to apply for these homes, you would need a local connection to Gittisham, either by residence, employment, upbringing or a family connection. A detailed Allocation Policy is currently being prepared.
It is important that anyone who believes they need affordable rented housing registers on Devon Home Choice as this is where the homes will be advertised and where applicants can apply for them. Early application will enhance the chances of being allocated a home.
If you cannot attend this drop in but would like to register your interest and find out more, please contact Janice Alexander at Devon Communities Together who will be carrying out the housing need update. Janice is available by email at or telephone 01392 248919.
In order to attract interest in this important event details have been advertised in the Gittisham Gazette and an article will be submitted to the Mid Week Herald for publication later in September, however, there are families who have left the village and who may be interested in the proposals that are coming forward but are not on our circulation list or receiving the Herald. Please let Helen Hayman or myself know of anyone you know who might be interested and we will forward details onto them.
David Valentine
Chairman
Email:
Company Secretary:
Helen Hayman, Gittisham Farm, GITTISHAM. EX14 3AX