Cobbetts has been involved with the Community Land Trust movement since 2006 and has advised both the movement and individual CLTs in both England and Wales, including many of the founder CLTs referred to in the Housing Green paper published in 2007. 

In that time we have become leading advisers to CLTs and to the movement as a whole. We advise on the formation of urban CLTs and on the establishment of rural CLTs (including many in rural protection sites and areas of outstanding natural beauty) as well as those wishing to use co-operatives models.  Our involvement includes:

• Advising the CLT movement on the Government’s consultation on the definition of community land trust during the introduction of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 and on its consultation on community land trusts.
• Discussing funding and methods of disposals with the Council of Mortgage Lenders and with funders to establish fundable methods of disposals for Community Land Trusts.
• Negotiating with the Homes and Communities Agency the model form of grant agreement for Community Land Trusts.
• Advising the CLT movement nationally on the proposed CLT tool kit in relation to governance, legal models, charitable status, methods of disposal and negotiations with mortgagees.
• Regularly advising and speaking at the annual National CLT Conference and the Rural CLT Practitioners Seminars.
• Advising formative CLTs on the options for incorporation and on charitable status.  Our advice has included:

1. Advising on the most appropriate corporate form.
2. Advising on the range of activities to be undertaken by individual CLTs including their ability to undertake a mixture of housing, community initiatives and “trading activities” and, where necessary, on the establishment of group structures.
3. Advising on suitable engagement structures for the local community, local authorities and parish councils and residents.
4. Advising on charitable status and on registration with the Charity Commission.
5. Advising on registration with the Tenant Services Authority.
6. Advising CLTs on the policies and procedures many of which are needed to support a CLTs registration with the Tenant Services Authority and the Charity Commission including allocation policies.

• Advising CLTs on their funding requirements including their ability to undertake community share issues, raising development and long terms finance and raising grants including from the Homes and Communities Agency.
• Advising on section 106 Agreements including within National Parks, thereby freeing up land for new permanently affordable housing.
• Advising on the acquisition and development of land, security arrangements and registration.
• Advising on methods of disposal designed to ensure permanent affordability.
• Advising on support arrangements with partnering housing providers (including RSLs).
• Advising on business support issues including in relation to district heating and combined heat and power systems.

For further information contact any of the key contacts below.  Click on their profiles to view their specific CLT experience.