Pewsey Community Land Trust to provide affordable housing in Pewsey

A new initiative in Pewsey, Pewsey Community Land Trust, will turn the redundant police station in the centre of the village into affordable housing for local people. Leading the project are Chairman and local architect, Patrick Wilson, and Co-director, Charmian Spickernell, who is also the area co-ordinator for the countryside charity CPRE. The project is a joint venture with the housing association, GreenSquareAccord.

Patrick told Marlborough.news, “The lack of affordable housing in Pewsey has been a concern of Pewsey Parish Council for some time. After an appeal in a public meeting I agreed to help set up the trust. The OPCC (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner) has committed to selling the old police station to us and together with GreenSquareAccord we are in the process of applying for a community housing grant from the government which will cover most of the costs and allow us to take the proposal to planning.”

It is planned to create nine flats, one non-residential unit and to re-build the nearby bus shelter. Only those who are able to demonstrate a long term connection to Pewsey, such as growing up in the village or working there for at least two years, will be eligible to rent the properties.  The buildings will be for community benefit and they will belong to the Trust in perpetuity.

The trust welcomes the expertise of GreenSquareAccord in obtaining commercial loans, and in developing and managing such a venture.

The Trust is asking members of Pewsey Parish to become lifetime members by paying a £1 membership fee. “We want to have a broad community membership. The more members the Trust has the greater the credibility and the stronger its voice. Greater membership will allow us to apply for loans at preferential rates, lobby Wiltshire Council and central Government directly and through our Member of Parliament.”

Anyone who is a member can also invest in the Trust but they will still only be given one vote.

Patrick said, “I am very happy to hear from potential investors or anyone who would like to make a donation to get this project underway. The more capital we can provide, then the more we can do to support the community.”

For more information visit the website here