AGM and COVID-19 Notice

Dear Members,

2020 marks our third year since incorporation and has from all perspectives been an extraordinarily challenging time.

Repeated planning setbacks at Hartley Lands Farm, followed by the postponement of the Parish-wide Housing Needs Survey, as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 lockdown, have prompted the land owner to withdraw from the project. Disappointment, frustration, personal bereavements and burgeoning home and work pressures have impacted our Board of Trustees and yet the organisation remains intact and our pioneering work continues.

The Trustees recently convened a Special General Meeting in order to map a path through the pandemic . Following consultation with the National CLT Network we have decided to scale down our activities until September 2021, when we will again review our position and move forward.

The Crane Valley Land Trust (CVLT) remains viable with sufficient funds in hand to secure land agreements and with the necessary knowledge to navigate the procurement of affordable homes for our community. Moreover, there remain two land offers on the table which will be examined further when resources allow.

We ask you to remember that the CVLT is a not-for-profit community enterprise, reliant upon both the support of its Members and the pro-bono expertise of its Trustees. Thousands of hours have so far been gifted by outstanding individuals committed to an affordable zero carbon future. Their dedication has laid the foundation of multiple partnerships and associations with policy makers, funding bodies and industry leaders; vital enabling work which has brought our Parish closer to realising its first build.

The CVLT remains committed to countering the widespread failures of mainstream developers by carrying the torch for Community Led Housing, in the Parish of Cranbrook and Sissinghhurst, by building creative places which relate to the people, ecology and culture of contemporary rural life.

As a listening organisation we remain open to our community and the CVLT would like to invite applications from its Members and the wider community to join our Board of Trustees. We would also like to announce our AGM which will now be held on Monday 30th November at 7:30pm via Zoom; please watch this space for further details.

Applications for membership, trusteeship and any other enquiries to info@cvlt.org.uk or call us direct on 01580 852558 or 07800 933547.

Tim Kemp
Chairman
Crane Valley Land Trust Ltd
Community Benefit Society RS007554