Is community land ownership a feasible option for the future of Stokes Croft?

With Stokes Croft going through major change, one organisation is championing the importance of community ownership of local land and buildings.

Stokes Croft Land Trust (SCLT) is hosting a free exhibition designed to explain the important role and history of community land trusts as the group bids to raise enough to purchase a landmark property in the area.

The display will take place from February 8 to 11 in the Vestibules at City Hall.

It’s an opportunity for people to look at whether community land ownership is a feasible option for the future of Stokes Croft whilst also allowing members of the public to meet members of the project’s board.

Keith Cowling, director of SCLT, said: “As a city, Bristol has seen numerous changes to local land and buildings over the past decade, however, its community spirit continues to thrive.

“Through our campaign, the Stokes Croft Land Trust will give people a place to support local businesses and communities and this will start with the purchase of the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft building.

“For those that want to be part of our community initiative to secure the land and buildings in Bristol, come down to our exhibition to learn more about why community ownership really matters.”

The SCLT claims it is “precisely the vehicle for this radical departure from the norm”. The group envision “a society for the benefit of the community, this charitable trust will enable the community to own and steward property in the Croft for the benefit of those who live here, not for those who seek a fast buck”.

In a bid to stop the gentrification of Stokes Croft and since launching their community land ownership campaign the SCLT has amassed more than 220 investors, raising more than £170,000 of its £272,000 minimum target.

With ever-rising rental and housing prices, the SCLT presents this initiative as something promising for the community of Stokes Croft to benefit from.

Stokes Croft Land Trust is hosting a free exhibition designed to explain the important role and history of community land trusts – photo: Ellie Pipe

The four-day exhibition will offer information to learn and be part of “an important, democratic and new economic system for land ownership“. The exhibition will explore the successes of past community land trusts, hailing back to the United States Civil Rights movement by Black and farming communities in North America.

The trust’s mission is to enable a more long-term affordable and sustainable local development for the community by transferring land into community ownership and moving it from the local market.

Hilary Sudbury, a local co-operative & social enterprise development worker, believes there is an appetite to support local projects, adding: “Our exhibition will bring to life the land trust’s ambitious vision, giving attendees a flavour of community ownership and the power of collective action.”

The exhibition is open from 12pm to 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 12pm to 5pm on Friday, February 11.

More information is available via www.prsc.org.uk/event/sclt-vestibules-exhibition/

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read more: Bid to transfer landmark building into community ownership 

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