The Witherslack Community Land Trust was formed in 2006 by a group of villagers concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the village, especially available to the young. Our aim is to meet this need and provide affordable homes whilst retaining ownership of the land. Through retention of land we aim to ensure long term affordability and ensure local occupants in need remain the priority for the homes.

We’ve achieved success over the past twelve years on a number of projects; facilitating the self-build of two affordable homes to local families, securing Ivy Bank Works – a piece of land in the centre of the village for a local enterprise, purchasing the freehold on the failed local pub in order to guarantee its long-term survival.

A recent housing needs survey has shown us the demand for affordable housing in our village is as prevalent as ever. We propose to use a piece of land on Rocky Common adjacent to the Village Hall in which to go forward with our latest affordable housing scheme. In a stroke of good fortune this land has recently been allocated for residential development by the Lake District National Park.

We were advised by SLDC to apply for their newly granted Community Housing Fund to cover the pre -development costs of the project. We began by employing the services of a planning consultant who has assisted us in our grant application. Our application has been successful, and we are now organising the various surveys necessary to determine the viability of the site. Once completed, these surveys will inform our planning application. After an interview process we have also selected John Coward Architects of Cartmel to design the development.

If you have any questions or would like more information on the development please do not hesitate to contact us