Community land trusts
Community land trusts (CLTs) are long term stewarding systems for land and the assets, whereby land is placed into a trust which is then run by members or a selected group. As such they are a democratic system that typically provides affordable homes, community gardens, civic buildings, pubs, shops, shared workspace, energy schemes and conservation landscapes, which are run by local people.
Community land trusts (CLTs) are referenced in the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, Chapter 79 and defined by the House of Commons Library as "a form of community-led housing. The CLT acquires land through purchase (by the community) or a gift, and oversees the development of affordable housing to buy or rent. The housing remains affordable in perpetuity – the CLT is a not-for-profit group and acts as a long-term steward of the homes built."
A CLT can be set up by the community, the landowner, a developer or the council, and provide a mechanism to effectively partially remove land from the capital market, offering housing ownership at a reduced and affordable rate. Depending on the terms of the trust, such houses if sold, are also sold at a reduced market rate, maintaining the stock as affordable for following residents or generations, 'in perpetuity'.
https://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Affordable housing.
- Alternative and off-grid housing communities in the UK.
- Bedzed.
- Co-housing.
- Co living.
- Community energy network.
- Community-led housing.
- Could microhousing tackle London's housing crisis?
- Densification.
- Do it together architecture.
- Edge Debate 71 - Can decentralisation solve the housing crisis?
- Garden cities.
- Gentrification.
- Hex House project.
- Housing associations.
- Housing cooperative.
- New model for Britain's high streets.
- Private rented sector.
- Public space.
- Self-help housing.
- Shared equity / Partnership mortgage.
- Shared ownership.
- Social housing.
- Tenant management organisation.
- The compact sustainable city.
- Urban design.
- What is a mortgage?
[edit] External links
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN04903/SN04903.pdf
https://cltweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DS_dissertation_05_doc-only.pdf
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/17/section/79
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/17/section/79/notes
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.