Martha Patrick

I am a member of our local Community Land Trust which is part of the National Community Land trust Network. Land Trusts are community controlled and community owned not for profit organisations. We aim for long term stewardship of affordable housing or other community assets. In St Ives there is a lack of affordable housing for local people. The Community came together to raise the money to buy a large old property. We have been able to begin the renovation of the building to create six affordable flats to rent for local people with the support of a mortgage from Triodos Bank and funding partners including the Architectural Heritage Fund,  the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government. The renovation involves the conversion to renewable energy sources. The Trust has also raised the money to buy another building, a former Chapel, this project will be for the development of affordable workshop spaces.