APPENDIX 2
Evidence of Devon County Council: Case
Studies
HIGH BICKINGTON
Devon County Council initiated dialogue with
the local community regarding potential use of two small holdings
on the edge of the village which were becoming vacant. As a result,
in November 2000, a community-based group, Project 2000 was set
up to identify the needs of the parish and develop proposals for
its regeneration over the next 20 years. Following extensive community
engagement to develop ideas, High Bickington Community Property
Trust [CPT] Ltd was formed to assume responsibility for land,
buildings and facilities being developed at Little Bickington
Farm. 20 acres (8.25 ha) of this former County Smallholding are
the subject of a planning application to develop affordable housing,
workspace, community facilities and woodland, which will be managed
by the CPT. In addition, a new primary school (closely integrated
with the above development) will be the responsibility of the
County Council, and it is proposed that a new playing field, pavilion
and changing facilities will be run by the High Bickington Playing
Field Association, involving a "land swap" with the
existing playing field.
High Bickington CPT Ltd is registered under
the Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965, in July 2004,
by the Financial Services Authority, based on National Housing
Federation model rules. Its membership is open to any person or
body connected with the parish, through purchase of £1 shares.
Devon County Council and High Bickington Parish Council are shareholders.
The objectives of the CPT include the provision of:
— houses for people in need, on terms
appropriate to their means;
— workspace to meet training and employment
needs;
— health facilities and child care;
— facilities for recreation;
— woodland and other environmental
improvements.
The proposals for Little Bickington Farm are
the culmination of over four years of planning and consultation
with residents of High Bickington and have been widely praised
by both local and national groups as a model for community led
planning and rural regeneration. The scheme was presented to a
conference, organized on behalf of His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales, as one of 11 "Best Practice" models for dealing
with the national shortage of affordable housing. Alun Michael
visited the village in March 2003 and said "This is an ambitious
project, and I applaud the initiative and vision of the villagers
of High Bickington. They are thinking now about how to tackle
the issues which affect them in the future, recognising the role
they can play in shaping the success of their own community, and
demonstrating the value of local knowledge in local decision making.
There is much in their approach to inspire others and I wish them
every success with the Parish Plans."
A planning application for the proposals was
submitted at the end of 2003. The planning application was a departure
from planning policy, and referred to the Government Office. It
took a year for the decision to call in the application to be
made, and a further year before a date for a public inquiry [January
2006]. As a result of the two year delay funding opportunities
from the Objective 2 programme have been lost and there will be
a need for a complete re-appraisal of the scheme. The full history
of the High Bickington proposal and the progress to date can be
viewed on the following link http://www.highbickington.org/index.asp.
PROPOSED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
BASED UPON
HIGHER THORNE
FARM, OTTERY
ST MARY
Since June 2003 a group representing the interests
of the Town Council, the District Council, the County Council
and The Kings School have been examining the potential use of
land at Higher Thorne Farm to provide a range of community and
educational facilities. Such facilities include all weather sports
pitches, running tracks, swimming pool, skate board park, tennis
courts, 6th form block/community education centre, other school
buildings and affordable housing. The attached plan depicts the
current level of thinking for a master-plan, which it is acknowledged
might involve a development period extending through to 2024.
The work of the group has been influenced greatly
by the High Bickington Community project which is establishing
a totally new approach to asset-based community planning. In common
with that pilot project the aspirations of the Ottery Group have
been:
— The development of the new, integrated
approach;
— A future model of community development;
— A new regeneration option;
— New forms of building construction
with highly sustainable characteristics;
— A means of optimising the use of
public/private property assets.
Key features to the approach are that it will
be:
— Community led and partner supported;
— Provide a totally integrated, master
planned and mixed use solution;
— Generate and share financial value
and social value;
— Liquidate existing community assets
for reinvestment;
— Create a community property trust;
— Mutualise property assets in perpetuity
for the community;
— Create new social enterprise, skills
development etc,;
— Provide a new local affordable social
housing solution;
— Build community spirit and identity;
— Create a unique joint venture development
vehicle between the community, land owners, investors/funders
and developers.
COMMUNITY
REGENERATION, HOLSWORTHY
Holsworthy, in one of the remotest parts of
rural Devon, exhibits many of the features of small market towns.
The availability of affordable housing was a key issue to emerge
from the recent Community Planning exercise for the town and its
hinterland. Consequently, a Community Property Trust has been
established to provide a suitable organisational structure to
help facilitate identification of potential sites for development
of affordable homes, to attract local developers and to hold the
land in community ownership in perpetuity. The latter point is
vital, of course, both to minimise the initial land cost and also
to reduce the inflationary growth in future. Over 20 possible
sites for small scale developments of up to six homes currently
are being assessed in the locality. This scoping exercise is proving
useful for the additional purpose of drawing out links with related
service provision and efficient use of property resources, for
example primary schools.
|
