Joint Press Release from Devon County Council and High Bickington Community Property Trust, 15/12/2009

A community led development in High Bickington has been kickstarted today (Tuesday 15 December) with a major £850k funding boost from Devon County Council.

The first phase of this innovative scheme, at Little Bickington Farm in High Bickington, will provide 18 new homes, two workshops for local businesses, a plant room for a woodchip heating plant and other community facilities. Planning consent has also been secured for a new community building and sports facilities, a new primary school, a Multi Use Games Area, a Health Centre and allotments.

Devon County Council invited the local community to consider the surplus land available in High Bickington and how it could support the long term sustainability of the village. The High Bickington Community Property Trust (HBCPT) was established by the community and planning consent was secured for their plans.

Councillor William Mumford, Cabinet Member for the economy and regeneration said: "This is an innovative and rare example of community led development that will provide a sustainable future for the rural community and stimulate the local economy."

"The money we have agreed today will go a long way to help the community secure further funding towards the project and kick start the infrastructure work. The community has worked extremely hard for a long time to get the scheme this far and the national recognition it has received is wholly deserved."

The scheme will cost £12.144milion in total, with phase one costing £3.567million. This will include 18 homes, two of which will be outright sale, nine shared ownership and seven homes for rent. There will be two workshops for rent or sale and a woodchip heating plant. Serviced land for two further workshops and five further homes will be included.

David Brown, Chairman of High Bickington Community Property Trust, added "This is a great step forward that will be warmly welcomed by all those members of our community who have recognised and supported the need both for affordable housing for local people and also the other essential community services that will be delivered by the project.

"The participation and support of both members and officers of the County Council has been tremendous throughout and this latest demonstration of support will be a critical factor in achieving long term success in moving forward our vision of creating a truly 'sustainable community' in High Bickington. We now look forward to being able to make a successful start on site in the New Year."

The design of the development will be sustainable and will include a renewable energy heating plant to serve the development and provide income to the trust.