Government recognition for community land trusts 'long overdue' - Farron

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed a Department for Communities and Local Government consultation into community land trusts, but has criticised the amount of time it has taken the government to get to this stage.

A community land trust is a body established to further social, economic and environmental interests of a local community by acquiring and managing land and other assets. These assets can include affordable housing.

Commenting, Mr Farron said: "The case for community land trusts is a strong one in the sense that they are designed to benefit the community in perpetuity.

"The re-investment of surplus income, the development of permanently affordable homes and the ability to 'hold' land for the community are all features of a community land trust that would help a community remain sustainable in the long term.

"I am however concerned at quite how long it has taken this government to act on this matter. Community land trusts can play a huge role in affordable housing provision, especially in rural areas. I have called on the government to recognise this and to ensure that the support is available for those people who want to set up a community land trust."