Wiltshire Community Land Trust launched

Wiltshire CLT is a new independent not-for-profit body dedicated to helping towns and villages in Wiltshire and Swindon to meet vital local needs through Community Land Trust projects. Set up by the Wiltshire Rural Housing Association, the Trust will help communities to find and develop sites.

Wiltshire Community Land Trust was officially launched in Devizes on June 30th. The event was chaired by Trevor Cherrett, Wiltshire Community Land Trust's Chair and an expert in rural planning and practice. Speakers included:

• Trevor Beattie, Chair of the RICS Commission on Land and Society, introducing its findings and how land and property professionals can support community activity
• Leaders from the Community Land Trust Network - all are actively developing housing, work units, community woodlands, gardens, shops and pubs, and have ambitious plans for schools, health and a range of recreation facilities.
• A panel of local experts who will round up the session with their comments and Q&A.

The event was sponsored by Triodos Bank, Europe's leading ethical bank. Triodos is committed to supporting local communities achieve their goals, be it provision of housing or purchase of other assets for the benefit of the community. Triodos is already working with a number of Community Land Trusts around the country.