Lavenham CLT in partnership with registered provider Hastoe Housing Association.
In 2019 a new development of 18 homes was opened in Lavenham. The affordable homes were developed on a brownfield site by Lavenham Community Land Trust in partnership with Hastoe Housing Association. Lavenham Community Land Trust (LCLT) was formed in 2014 as a Community Benefit Society for the residents in the mediaeval village of Lavenham, Suffolk.
The site, formerly a Suffolk County Council gritting depot, was acquired from Suffolk County Council by the Lavenham Community Land Trust, for the development of housing to meet the local need. The CLT then partnered with Hastoe Housing Association to bring the development forward. Planning permission was granted in January 2017 to build the 18 dwellings.
The CLT retained the freehold of the properties, which are leased to Hastoe Housing Association for 125 years. Hastoe manage the rented properties. Ground rents paid to the CLT will allow further benefits to the community.
The development provided a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom properties. Most are for rent, with some in shared ownership. The rented homes are let at below the affordable rent levels.
Through the section 106 agreements attached to the development, the affordability of the homes is protected and they will remain prioritised for people with a strong connection to Lavenham.
It was important to the CLT and Hastoe to deliver homes that were affordable to occupy and run. The properties have been built to the Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) Building Standard which aims to create high performance buildings. The Standard includes a high level of insulation, triple glazed windows and doors together with a heat recovery system that can produce low annual energy costs.
Funding for the scheme was provided from a number of organisations; Homes England, Babergh District Council, Hastoe Housing Association and the CLT itself.
