Transition Homes

Transition Homes CLT  - April 2013 Update

We now own a site!
Transition Homes Community Land Trust has been working now for five years to develop low impact housing for local people in housing need which demonstrates transition ideals by:

• Using local natural materials and the least possible fossil fuels in the build and in the manufacturing and transport of materials
• Having high levels of insulation, generating energy on site and using grey water and rainwater harvesting
• Supporting residents to live a low impact lifestyle e.g. reducing need for car and energy use
• Enabling greater self-sufficiency, including providing space to grow food.

Site purchased
We are delighted to have purchased Clay Park, near Puddaven in Dartington Parish, near Totnes . We plan to build around 25 homes on the seven acre field as well as create space for allotments, woodland for coppiced fuel and a community hub building. The £250,000 needed to buy the site was loaned to the CLT by local supporters. We have already secured funding to pay the costs of submitting a planning application and are considering the best ways to raise the development funding. Banks such as Triodos, Charity Bank and Ecological Building Society have already expressed their interest in the project but we are also looking at the possibility of raising community investment as the best way to make this a really local project and part of a thriving local economy.

Take a look at this short report and film of the tree planting we did to celebrate the site purchase.

Planning permission
Because the site is not included in South Hams District Council DPD (Site Allocations Development Plan Document) for this area, we are consulting with the planners to secure their support for the development as an exception. The development will include shared ownership property and socially rented homes which we aim to keep genuinely affordable by keeping rents within housing benefit limits.

Becoming a resident
To be eligible to be considered for one of the houses people do have to be in need of housing, unable to buy on the open market and have a local connection. Most importantly, they also will be enthusiastic about being part of a landmark scheme demonstrating sustainable living. We will be working closely with South Hams in allocating properties and already have a long list of people who would love to be part of it. If you are interested email erica_lewis@btinternet.com to register and make sure you are registered as being in housing need with Devon Home Choice (for rental properties) and/or South West Homes (for shared ownership). You can register as a potential resident by sending an email to: applicants@transitionhomes.org.uk

Finally
After so many years planning and searching we are delighted to be getting so close to making making this project happen and would like to thank all our supporters for making it possible.

Contacting us

You can find out how to contact us here