Strength in Partnerships

David Ashmore

www.greensquaregroup.com

GreenSquare Community Housing

Cashes Green

• Former hospital site in Cashes Green, Stroud.

• Established local community with a very strong attachment to the hospital site.

• Allotments/food growing.

• 78 new homes (39 affordable).

How We Got Together

• Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) tender to find a developer for the site.

• Requirement for working with/setting up a local CLT.

• Gloucestershire Land for People (GLP) were advisors to the HCA.

What attracted GLP to the GreenSquare offer?

• Our one planet living approach.• Our track record of creating

communities that promote social sustainability.

Gloucestershire Land for People (GLP)

• An umbrella organisation formed in 2005 which is dedicated to establishing local CLTs.

• Worked with local organisations and residents to establish the CG CLT including : -

- Promoting membership - Training and support - Organisational structure - Providing ongoing support as required

Cashes Green CLT

• Is open for anybody within the 2 Cashes Green Wards (East and West) to join (£1 share)

• All who move into the scheme will automatically be a part of the CLT

• There will be a separate Estate Management Board (EMB) set up from the residents.

Ownership

• Cashes Green CLT (not GLP) will own the freehold of all of the land except the outright sale homes.

• GreenSquare will have a 125 year ‘collapsible’ lease for the affordable homes.

• The Parish Council will have a

125year lease for the allotments.

Legal Structure – Cashes Green

FreeholdCLT owned freehold – With 125 year lease to GreenSquare

EMB Members

EMB Members

EMB MembersManaged all (or parts) by

EMB

Shared Ownership

Rented

Owner Occupied HomesPublic Open Space

Affordable Homes

CLTs and Housing Associations

• A marriage made in heaven…?

• Some reflections

CLTs and Housing Associations perceptions changing ...

Common Ground

• Social purpose

• Community benefit

• Affordable housing

• Inclusive

• Long term commitment

What’s Worked Well…

• Engaging the community

• Acting on consultation feedback

• Developing a shared vision and understanding

• Disagreeing but not falling out

• Making it happen

And What’s Not…

• Having to rush – after having taken so long to get somewhere!

• Different priorities and pressures.

• Definitions – ‘local’.

• Managing expectations.

Lessons Learnt and Suggestions

• Balancing idealism and pragmatism

• Making and taking time to : -

- Clarify expectations

- Agree the vision and aims

- Explore perceptions

- Examine delivery options

Lessons Learnt and Suggestions

- Utilise skills, knowledge and enthusiasm but be realistic about time pressures.

- Capture and check what you’ve agreed and be prepared to revisit.

- ‘Bottom up’ best!

Lessons Learnt and Suggestions

- Explore and assess the realities of funding, planning and legal requirements and options.

- Think about long term management, stewardship and contractual issues from the outset.

- Identify and engage with all stakeholders from the outset.

Lessons Learnt and Suggestions

- Build trust and a way of dealing with disagreements and disputes.

- Use the knowledge and experience of others.

www.greensquaregroup.com