“Homes England colleagues have been working with Middlemarch (previously Wessex) for over 8 years now. We initially worked with Wessex to support the development of the CLT/RP model and in particular to ensure that the model complies with Homes England funding requirements. We have been really pleased to see the growth of the model across the South West, and through our partner Aster now seeing it moving into parts of the South East.
In terms of impact we can take Devon as a good case study. As can be seen from Middlemarch’s presentation we now see a higher concentration of CLTs in Devon than anywhere in the country. Devon faces a significant housing crisis arising from a number of factors including second homes and AitBnBs and the impact this has on market rents and house prices, and the development constraints which are considerable including Heritage Coast, National Park, AONB, small number of RP partners and a lack of contractors. I do not believe that without the help of Middlemarch and the Community Housing Fund, communities such as Newton and Noss, Salcombe and Ilfracombe would be working towards the delivery of much needed affordable housing. Through the CLT/RP partnership we are bringing forward homes that would not otherwise come forward.
We are working with a growing number of registered providers now willing to contribute to this important work. The CLT/RP partnership process is highly collaborative, working with communities, landowners, the local authority and Homes England, with communities firmly in the driving seat. I see Middlemarch as the glue that brings all of this together and strongly believe that to deliver this form of affordable housing we need the right advice and support in place for communities to succeed. Middlemarch has developed some excellent processes which we would be keen to see replicated elsewhere in the country, taking into consideration local factors and working with local partners.
We have an important rural housing target to meet within the Affordable Homes Programme. We are making good progress to achieve this. Here in the South West the CLT/RP partnership model is helping us to achieve this target. We have seen an uptick in rural delivery through the work. There is so much more that we could do and we have been pleased to jointly convene a series of workshops across the country to share this good practice. We are very keen to see and support the scaling up of the CLT/RP partnership in a format that educates and empowers local communities and local partners.”
Homes England, 2023
“You have chaired the project group amazingly – keeping it focused and effective with incredible poise. I have been genuinely impressed with how you have managed some of the more challenging situations, circumstances and personalities and without your leadership I am certain we would not have had the success we have enjoyed so far.
It is also a great source of comfort knowing you are advising us. There have been several times within our board meeting when we have been thankful for your guidance or intervention and for a group who have little experience of these processes being able to check things with you
provides a good deal of confidence.
I am sure CLTs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and temperaments but I do want to make a point of thanking you for the way you work with us – ensuring that we have all the information and guidance we need whilst also allowing us to develop as a Trust. We are hopeful that there will
further projects in the not-too-distant future and now our first project has its planning permission it feels as though there is a little capacity for us to pursue these. I very much hope we will be able to continue to get your advice and guidance as we continue to play our part in responding to the housing crisis that affects our communities so greatly.”
Community Land Trust, 2024