Hook Norton Community Land Trust were thrilled when it was
announced that a resolution for Planning Permission has been granted
for the Hook Norton Community Led Housing Project, with Cherwell
District Council voting unanimously in favour of the scheme at Planning
Committee on 21 May.

This small development of 12 homes, of which 8 are affordable (almost twice the standard requirement), is an exemplar of great design, sympathetic to its host community and, most importantly, it directly answers a local need in allowing those with a genuine connection to Hook Norton to remain living in their village when otherwise it might have proved difficult for them to do so.\n\nAll developments attract comment but that so few objections were received for this one is testament to the care and consideration that HNCLT took to engage with villagers and to develop a new community of lasting value to Hook Norton and to those residents lucky enough to call it home.

Cllr Hugo Brown
Ward Councillor for Deddington, Cherwell District Council

The decision represents a huge step forward for the project and gives
the green light to explore some exciting funding options and to start
planning for the build phase.

The project is an inspiring example of what can be achieved by a strong community working together with a supportive council to build the homes the community needs that will be fit for the future.

It is great to see this community-led housing project progressing in partnership with Cherwell District Council. We need more affordable housing like this to help meet our community’s housing needs. This particular project shows initiative and a strong commitment to the delivery of good quality, zero-carbon homes for local people. We look forward to seeing these homes being delivered in Hook Norton.

Cllr John Donaldson
Cherwell’s lead member for housing

The Low Carbon Hub in Oxford are currently working out the details of
the sustainable and renewable energy elements of the site which will be
part of a micro grid that could provide a decentralised system of locally
generated energy.

With solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, energy efficient
heating and shared facilities in the Communal Building the project
encourages an affordable way of living that could both lower carbon
emissions and increase neighbourliness.

The recent period has shown how vital it is to support each other and I believe the ethos of the community housing project here in Hooky, with its affordable and sustainable facilities shared with the whole village, will enrich the sense of community spirit.

Cathy Ryan
Chair of HNCLT

The Section 106 agreement is currently being drawn up and the new
HNCLT website will soon be up and running where you will be able to
find out about the latest developments and how to apply for the homes.

Written by Cathy Ryan, Chair, HNCLT. For more information contact catherine.ryan@lowcarbonhub.org