High Bickington Project 2000 - the predecessor of HBCPT - was set up by High Bickington Parish Council following an approach by Devon County Council, who owned a farm (Little Bickington) on the edge of the village that was no longer viable. The County Council wished to explore new ways of benefiting local communities from the disposal of surplus property.

Key principles were:

1. consulting and involving the community in decisions
2. exploring options that were sustainable
3. addressing the new community development agenda.

Two public meetings in autumn 2000 led to the formation of a Project Committee.