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Business Model

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Date: May 24, 2021

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This heading is a bit ‘corporate’ for a community land trust but it does succinctly describe the operational basis that will be chosen by the Trustees and Members to organise and manage our affordable homes project. Before we can determine the most appropriate business model, we will need to consider:

  • Whether to act alone or in partnership with, for example, a Housing Association, to raise funds, acquire the land, design and build the houses.
  • Whether BNCLT would manage the process of recruiting tenants and managing the lettings and maintenance over the longer term, or whether we should involve a third party.
  • Whether or not BNCT should become a Registered Provider of homes to let.

In general, the more we can manage ourselves, the more we can protect the Parish environment and the more we can control the look and location of the homes we provide. On the other hand, the more we control, the greater the challenges for such a small team to secure funding, work with architects, obtaining planning permission, manage costs and project-manage every stage of the process from pre-planning to letting and long-term management.

There is no perfect solution, and the outcomes of the decisions taken will remain with us for many years to come. The BNCLT Board will, of course, put a proposal to Members for their views before any policy is finalised.

Steve Chipperfield

Chair of Broadhembury Neighbourhood Community Land Trust

For much of my career I was a co-entrepreneur and writer in the media, marketing and publishing sector. As a keen sailor I constantly had to juggle my time between my business and personal interests. I eventually solved that by starting a consultancy focused on sailing superyachts. In parallel to the above, I was a Director of Friends of the Earth for some years, Trustee of the UK Sailing Academy for 25 years and co-founder of The Whirlwind Charitable Trust. These last two aim to enhance the life opportunities of disadvantaged young people through sailing and outdoor pursuits.
Reasons for Standing
I have lived in Broadhembury for almost seven years but have regarded the place as special since my first pint in the Drewe almost 50 years ago. I therefore want to see Broadhembury evolve sustainably and with full respect for its community and the conservation of its surrounding landscape and built heritage. Those are the reasons I decided to join the initial steering group set up by BPC and to become a Trustee when BNCLT was legally established. The same reasons stand behind my application to continue as a Trustee.