Bishops Castle Project

Bishops Castle and District Community Land Trust.

More than 40 people went to the launch of Bishop's Castle and District Community Land Trust at the Three Turns and ten more became momber-shareholders on the night.

Town mayor Jim Gaffney outlines how people of Bishop's Castle and the surrounding area can become actively involved in the Development of affordable homes for local people and other community amenities, through becoming a member of the Trusts.

He said: "By becoming a member you have the right to elect board members and have your say on future developments that will affect you. the existence of the new Trust will provide us with ways to help develop the local economy and opportunities for younger people who want to live and work where they have grown up.

The meeting also heard Charlotte Hollins from Fordhall Farm describes how 'people-power' helped to save the farm from development and how it is now owned and held in trust by 8,000 people. she suggested that the future development of Bishop's Castle can also be influenced for the better by the people of the town in a similar way.

A student from Bishop's Castle Community College Niobe Hurrell-Gittins, was presented with a prize of £50 for her design of the share certificates.

Plans for the next small scale housing development in the town were exhibited and other ideas housing development in the town were exhibited and other ideas from the public were discussed. 

The Trust was registered on 16^th May 2007 and lauched at a public meeting on the 28^th June.

As of Jan 2008 it has over 60 members and a board of 12 directors to oversee its work.

It is steadily working towards its first development of 2 one bedroom houses in the centre of the town. These will be available for rent for local people.

The Trust also aspires to provide affordable workshops to support the development of local business. It is also exploring a role of protected land ownership for uses such as allotments or community woodland.