COMMUNITY NEWS
The Stokes Croft Land Trust written by Rhian Grant
Community action against gentrification ‘Regeneration’. ‘Development’. Don’t we want this for our
The SCLT directors are clear that the
community? But there are important questions to ask first.
share offer is not a business investment,
Who makes decisions about developments? When land
since the goal of the land trust is stew-
and property is owned by corporate developers and distant
ardship, not speculation. But since the
landlords, with no ties to the area and no interest in the
SCLT is getting a cheap deal on the land,
local community, who benefits?
Cowling points out that “this is a pretty safe share offer, as community share
The Stokes Croft Land Trust (SCLT) intends to bring parts of
offers go.”
Stokes Croft under community ownership, to steward the buildings; support local economic activity & employment;
SCLT operates on a democratic, one member, one vote
continue offering inexpensive workspace for local artists,
system. So, no matter how many shares a member has,
musicians, designers, and craftspeople; and promote local
whether 10 or 10,000, they get an equal vote, and any
people’s engagement with Stokes Croft’s future.
member can stand for election to the board. Directors are volunteers, and they stand down every three years. As
To encourage local participation, the SCLT made a special
Cowling says, “All members are treated the same whether
community share offer of 10 shares for £10.00 to residents.
they are corporate or individual members. It’s good for us
Director Keith Cowling says this is important because,
to have a big influx of new members because we’ll benefit
“Stokes Croft is
from their energy and ideas.” So, if you don’t like the way
an area of small
the SCLT is being run, the best way to change it is to get
businesses,
involved!
cafés, venues, artists, and those
The roots of the Community Land Trust (CLT) go back to the
people have
civil rights movement in the USA, when Black Americans,
turned the Croft
including Slater King and Bob Swann, developed CLTs to
into what it is over the past 20 years. But almost none of them are owner occupied. So,
build economic and residential independence. And the model of community ownership is gaining popularity in the UK today. Here in Bristol, the Cube Cinema Complex was
when the land is traded, and speculation occurs, they will
purchased with community donations in 2011; and in 2018,
all be displaced. All the people who created all the value,
the Exchange in Old Market raised £250,000 in community
all the art, all the music, all the footfall, will lose everything
shares to secure their future.
they’ve created. That’s why it’s important to give them a tool for hanging on to the value of what their work has produced.”
Learn more on SCLT’s website and socials at: stokescroftlandtrust.org/about/ https://twitter.com/CroftTrust https://www.facebook.com/stokescroftland
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