Consideration was given to the report of the Housing Development Manager, which updated Members on the Community Led Housing (CLH) Programme including project progress.

In July 2017, £100,000 was approved of the Council’s Community Housing Fund (CHF) allocation (totalling £748,899) towards establishing the Sussex Community Housing Hub (SCHH) on a 4-year Service Level Agreement (SLA).  The SCHH offered a ‘one stop shop’ for all forms of community led schemes and provided essential support for communities wishing to deliver CLH projects.  Appendix A to the report detailed the range of services provided under the SLA.  It was proposed to renew the SLA for a further 4-year term ensuring that the Council had the required specialist expertise and access to funding to progress future projects.  It was also noted that the SCHH had become a Registered Provider (RP) which presented a significant opportunity to expedite growth of the CLH sector, as well as reduce potential risks of delivering smaller Section 106 rural housing sites.  RP status also enabled SCHH to apply for Homes England (HE) capital grant funding.

Previously, full Council approved ringfencing £50,000 of the CHF allocation for revenue spend, to support start-up fees of CLH groups and pre-development costs, as well as meeting any funding gaps to ensure community groups had the financial means to progress schemes.  This sum was almost depleted and to ensure enough funding was available, it was recommended that the remaining CHF allocation totalling £303,200.38 be ringfenced for both capital and revenue requests accordingly.

The report identified three current and two new emerging* CLH schemes in Rother, as follows:

·       Main Road, Icklesham: A rural exception site delivered by Icklesham Parish Community Land Trust (IPCLT) in partnership with Hastoe Housing Association.  In June 2021, construction commenced on 15 affordable homes, subject to Section 106 agreement.  The scheme achieved HE funds, and the Council had committed £297,000 of capital CHF.  Work was expected to be completed during the summer of 2022.

·       Cemetery Lodge, Bexhill: In September 2019, approval was granted to sell the Cemetery Lodge site to Bexhill Community Land Trust (BCLT) subject to progressing a planning application within 12 months.  In May 2021, the Cemetery entrance was permanently closed, and construction of a new entrance commenced.  To deliver a larger housing scheme, plans had progressed to redevelop and further optimise the site with the adjoining landowner.  A design workshop was held with the Council’s Planning Department to progress the scheme and a Heritage Statement commissioned by BCLT for planning requirements.  It was proposed to retain Cemetery Lodge.  The report apprised Members of the covenant restrictions attached to the site.  It was anticipated that the site could deliver up to 39 dwellings (56% to 70% affordable housing); an indicative plan was attached at Appendix B to the report.  HE funds were being sought.  Progression was dependent on further land negotiations, with or without the covenant and final agreement of an equivalent value of social housing land to offset the covenant accordingly.

·       Land at Fairview, Guestling:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31