Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust naming event

On Saturday 25th October, Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust (LEPCLT) held a naming event at their first housing development project in Pendeen, West Cornwall. This was attended by Trustees; Andrew George MP; Baroness Kate Parminter; Site Manager Paul Jolliffe and local archaeologist, historian and author, Craig Weatherhill.

The project will provide 6 X 2 bedroom houses to be sold for £116,500, about 80% of the market value to people with a local connection. To fund those homes there are also 2 bungalows, valued at £167,500 and to be sold on the open market, through Wilkins Estate Agents in St Just.

Cornwall Councillor Sue James, one of the founding members of the Trust explained, “The project, due to complete in January, is the culmination of hard work by local Trustees of Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust, supported by Alan Fox, the Director of Cornwall Community Land Trust, the staff of Cornwall Council’s planning and affordable housing teams, and St Just Town Council.

“It has not been an easy or trouble free journey. However, the Trustees are impressed that once the contractors, Kier Living, were able to get on site they have made very rapid progress and have worked closely with us. I hope the project will enable local people to get their foot on the housing ladder and turn these houses into local homes.”

Andrew George MP, who is steering his Affordable Homes Bill through the Commons at present, said, “It is initiatives like this that we hope will provide local people with the often desperately needed opportunity to get on the housing ladder and to live in a decent home at a price they can afford. This project shows what can be done with a lot of hard work, good will and effective planning – to create housing solutions that are essential for local communities in West Cornwall.”

John Titcombe, Kier Living MD South West said, “This is the first time we have worked with Lands End Peninsula Community Trust and the build is going well. We are delighted this project will help local people who need affordable homes in Pendeen.”

Alan Fox, Director of Cornwall Community Land Trust said, “Cornwall Community Land Trust is delighted to be working with Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust on this important community led housing project. This is a very good example of how a local community can set about finding local solutions for local housing needs.”

Rob Pickering, a founding Trustee of the LEPCLT said, “The homes look great and I’m looking forward to seeing people move in, on their first step to owning their own home – and what a view!”

The Land Trust Board consulted Craig Weatherhill when asked to decide on a name for the site as they wanted something with local meaning. Craig came up with Croft Mear and this has been accepted as suitable by Cornwall Council. He presented a scroll to the Chair of the Trust, Sue James, detailing the name in both Cornish and English. Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust in the New Year, plan to involve local people in setting up a time capsule and the scroll will be the first item for the collection.

L – R Norman Emberson, LEPCLT Trustee; Baroness Kate Parminter; Andrew George MP; Craig Weatherhill; Sue James, Cornwall Councillor and Chair of LEPCLT