On 7th November 2019 Wealden District Council approved our planning application to build 20 homes at Compers Field, also known as Strawberry Field, Windmill Hill, East Sussex. Due to a change in planning policy the number of homes had to be reduced to 18. This revision was approved in May 2020.

These modern design, one, two and three bedroom, energy efficient homes will be completed in 2022 and will be a mix of rented, shared ownership and full purchase properties. The CLT will retain control of the rented and shared ownership homes to ensure they are allocated to people with tangible residential or family links to the parish of Herstmonceux and ensure they remain a community asset.

The full Planning Application and consent may be viewed on Wealden District Council website under planning references WD/2019/1771/MAJ and WD/2019/1772/MAJ and extracts of our designs may be viewed here.

Download and view the architectural drawings in this section. They are copyright of Bardakhanova Champkins Architects and HCLT and are for planning and general information purposes only. Final detail may be subject to change. The planning consent is covered by two planning applications and the detailed block plans appear as two parts, west and east side of the field, and must be considered together. The download "Site layout with planting and environmental features" shows the complete layout with both plans joined.

December 2020 - Update

During October we commissioned an archaeological survey in compliance with our planning consent. This involved excavating nine 30m trenches at various points on the site and the material inspected. Apart from the indication of a ditch, no artefacts were recovered. This was followed by installation of dormice boxes in the hedgerow and adjoining Alfree Wood. With both these matters cleared we can start to remove the non-indigenous and damaged trees on the boundary. We will replace with hedgerow and native tree species suitable for the local ground conditions.

The collective circumstances faced this past year mean that start on site is delayed until Spring 2021 and completion to early summer 2022.

28th MAY 2020 - PLANNING CONSENT CONFIRMED

Today, Wealden District Council Planning Committee have unanimously approved the Herstmonceux CLT revised application to build 18 homes at Windmill Hill, East Sussex.

Proposing approval, Councillor Geoffrey Draper said "This project is the epitome of what I would wish all planning applications to be. It is backed by the CLT.....it is well thought out and well designed. I wish them all the very best and propose we go along with the (Planning) Officers proposals". He was seconded by Councillor Peter Roundell, saying, " We had a very full discussion on this project in November and we liked very much what we saw."

The Trust much appreciates the support and comments from the Planning Committee and the project is moving forward.

6 MARCH 2020 - GOOD NEWS FROM HOMES ENGLAND

Herstmonceux CLT are pleased to announce that following our contacting the Housing Minister via our MP Hugh Merriman and national publicity of our case, Homes England will release the agreed Community Housing Fund grants to us as soon as the paperwork is completed. This is excellent news and allows us to proceed with confidence.

As regards our Planning consent, we have, in line with current policy from Wealden District Council, revised our proposals so as to reduce the number of homes to 18, but this also allows us the option to include some three-bedroom homes within that. This revision will be heard by the Planning Committee soon, following which the plans on this website will be updated.

FEBRUARY 2020 - PROJECT DELAYED AS RESULT OF GENERAL ELECTION & POLICY CHANGES

Between 20 December 2019 and first weeks of January 2020 a number of factors came together to delay the development phase of the Herstmonceux CLT project at Compers Field (Strawberry Field) at Windmill Hill.

The project stands to benefit from a grant of £275,000 from the Community Housing Fund held by Homes England. Our grant application was approved in November 2019, however, we were informed that no public announcement could be made due to restrictions placed on government agencies during the run-up to the general election. Since the election all payments are frozen pending the new Government budget in March 2020. We have been told our application will remain valid.

CLT Directors wrote to local Member of Parliament, Huw Merriman M.P. detailing this unsatisfactory situation and he has written to the Housing Minister, enclosing our letter, seeking a favourable resolution.

We also received unanimous resolution to grant planning consent from Wealden District Council in November 2019, but are now waiting to know what changes will be required as a result of their own planning policy being placed on hold.

Whilst both issues are expected to be resolved in our favour in the coming weeks, they have had knock-on effects to the extent the project will be delayed by about 3 months.

NOVEMBER 2019 - PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED

On 7th November 2019 Wealden District Council approved our planning application to build 20 homes at Compers Field, also known as Strawberry Field, Windmill Hill, East Sussex.

These modern design, one and two bedroom, energy efficient homes will be completed early 2021 and will be a mix of rented, shared ownership and full purchase properties. The CLT will retain control of the rented and shared ownership homes to ensure they are allocated to people with tangible residential or family links to the parish of Herstmonceux and ensure they remain a community asset.

The CLT expresses thanks to Herstmonceux Parish Council and many members of the local community who gave support at our consultation events and the planning application.

Thanks are also due to Action in rural Sussex Community Housing Hub for guiding and supporting HCLT and Bardakhanova Champkins, RIBA architects, based in Lewes, for a modern and exciting design for the site and the homes.

Herstmonceux Community Land Trust is registered with the FCA as a Community Benefit Society 7612R. Our registered constitution with rules of how we operate may be downloaded here. You may also view our Data Protection GDPR statement and other policies.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are set up and run by ordinary people to develop and manage homes as well as other assets important to that community, such as community enterprises, food growing or workspaces. CLTs act as long-term stewards of housing, ensuring that it remains genuinely affordable, based on what people actually earn in their area, not just for now but for every future occupier. Download the full description here.

Bardakhanova Champkins Architects Studio 17, Star Brewery, Castle Ditch Lane, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1YJ hello@bardakhanovachampkins.co.uk tel. 07419 334126

Action in rural Sussex, (AirS), Suites F7-F9 , Waterside Centre North Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2PE info@ruralsussex.org.uk tel. 01273 473422

We are grateful for financial grants from the following: National CLT Network, Wealden District Council. CAF Venturesome - Power to Change, Homes England Community Housing Fund.

Registered Office and post: Herstmonceux Community Land Trust, c/o The Village Information Centre, 2/3 The Old Forge, Gardner Street, Herstmonceux, East Sussex BN27 4LG

email: herstmonceuxclt@gmail.com telephone: 01323 833306

Directors: Mr. Alan McInnes, Hon. Chairman. Ms. Christine Cogdell, Hon. Secretary. Dr. Brendan O'Connor.

Committee Mrs. Janet McInnes. Mrs. Sheila Charlton. Ms. Hannah Snow. Ms Sarah-Jane Wicks.

Membership of Herstmonceux CLT is open to anyone age 16 or over on completion of a membership form and purchase of at least one share at £1.00 per share. Shares entitle you to vote at the AGM and offer yourself as a member of the Board. You may purchase any number of shares in support of the CLT but you are only entitled to one vote. Download the membership form here and return with payment in a sealed envelope to the Village Information Centre, 2/3 The Old Forge, Herstmonceux, or to HCLT c/o Beacon Cottage, Windmill Hill, East Sussex BN27 4RY. You will receive a share certificate in confirmation.

Registration of Interest (ROI) forms allow the CLT to keep a list of those interested in rental, shared ownership or purchase of HCLT homes. It enables us to compile a survey of local housing need and keep you informed of our progress. Completion does not commit you to accepting CLT housing, nor does it commit the CLT to offering you housing. When homes are available the list will enable detailed application forms to be sent to you.

The ROI form may be downloaded here and should be returned to Action in rural Sussex (AirS) at the address on the form. AirS keep the data secure on behalf of the HCLT.

The Data Protection declaration sets out how we hold and manage your personal data. Please read it, as your completion of the membership and/or ROI forms signifies your consent.