New ways are being found to make homes for people in the UK and community land trusts (CLTs) are part of this trend, according to a recent report from the Independent.
Innovation in the housing sector is in part being driven by a shortage of housing in certain areas of the country. However, changes in planning legislation have affected extensions too, as the research highlighted.
While CLTs aim to provide more affordable space to people, home extensions can be useful to families as well. The report has shown it is possible for builders to construct home extensions in Cheshire without getting the kind of planning permission they would have needed just a few years ago.
According to the publication, it is now relatively easy to convert vacant office space into housing because of planning reform. In addition, there are competing plans being advanced by politicians to increase the rate of house construction to meet rising national demand.
Catherine Harrington, head of the National CLT Network, has said:
“This isn’t just about the community making a contribution to housing supply, but it’s also about trying to unlock wider development.”
CLTs are active in different parts of the country. One of them has already designed and built seven houses in Devon, while another has been working with developers in the east of London. The government has stated it is keen to put pressure on councils to free up more land for construction.
CLTs aim to set prices in a way that respects local wages. There are now in excess of 150 of these initiatives across the nation.
