Local Councils And Community-led Housing

• Published date: 30 October 2020
• Subject Matter: Real Estate and Construction, Real Estate, Landlord & Tenant - Leases
• Law Firm: Wrigleys Solicitors
• Author: Ms Emma Ridge

It's become increasingly popular for surplus land to be considered by town & parish councils for community-led housing. We explore the reasons why.

We are seeing an increasing number of town and parish councils explore the possibility of using their surplus land for community-led housing (CLH).

The impetus may come from the community itself, or it may come from local councillors. In either case, the individuals involved are likely to be motivated by a desire to increase the supply of affordable housing in the local area. They wish to develop low cost homes for occupation by local people, in the long term.

Community-led housing covers community land trusts, housing co-operatives, cohousing developments and collective self-build schemes. What all these groups have in common is that members of a community come together to develop their own solution to the housing crisis.

Why would a council want to work with a CLH group?

• It enables a council to retain control over new housing developments, instead of being subject to the designs and ideas of private developers or housing associations.
• It is a meaningful way to improve lives in an area,
• Community-led housing is not driven by profit: it is there to provide homes for those who need them most.
• It puts council land to good use

By working closely with CLH groups, local councils can help deliver a practical solution to the housing crisis through the development of new homes, where meaningful community involvement is at the heart of any new housing development. A council's involvement could range from simply providing the land, to taking a more active role in promoting and developing community-led housing by establishing their own community-led housing vehicle, in...