Working closely with the district and county councils, they have formed a Community Land Trust to develop farmland in the village which was previously owned by Devon County Council.Their plans for a number of houses on the open market, will also allow them to build affordable housing and a new school to replace the landlocked school in the centre of the village. Together with a community woodland and plans for workshops to provide focal points for local businesses, the project aims to envigorate High Bickington and create a valuable partnership between the villagers and local authorities
Many communities across Britain are now developing Community Land Trusts to acquire land or property. From late January 2005, a booklet "Capturing Value for Rural Communities" which includes the High Bickington study, will be available from the following address:
Countryside Agency Publications PO Box 125, Wetherby West Yorkshire LS23 7EP
