Holsworthy Commu­nity Property Trust Ltd, a charity formed in April 2005 as a result of a survey commissioned by the Holsworthy Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, is seeking funds to provide more affordable housing in the Holsworthy area.

It has received national recognition and was mentioned in a Government Green Paper for its pioneering work as it was the first Community Property Trust in the country to provide affordable housing through shared equity purchase for people who wish to live and work in their local community but who are unable to buy a property on the open market.

Since its formation it has provided nine homes, all of which are now occupied. In March 2007 the Trust acquired five flats above the Original Factory Shop, which were newly named as Whitlock Court and offered to local people. They cost between £85,000 and £115,000 but were disposed of at prices between £59,500 and £80,500.

More recently, using money released by Torridge District Council from development of the old primary school site, it has purchased four more properties in the town centre from the open market.

Now the Trust has produced a plan for the next five years which sets out proposals to develop a minimum of a further 50 units of affordable housing in and around Holsworthy, including Sheepwash and New Inn, Shebbear. What it now requires is substantial further funds and to this end on Monday, November 10, a meeting was held in the Skills Centre which was attended by existing and possible future stakeholders.

Torridge District Council Chief Executive, John van de Laarschot was one of five representatives of the district council, and others came from housing associations and reinvestment trusts. Representing the Trust were its officers: the chairman, David Smith, Pam Johns, John Allen, Ken James and Bob Paterson.

Mr Paterson, is a local resident as well as a Visiting Social Enterprise Fellow at the University of Salford and it fell to him to give a presentation on the Trust and on its aspirations. Afterwards, Mr Smith said he was pleased with the way the meeting went and the interest shown by the stakeholders. He stressed that while awaiting the response of the professional funders, they were anxious to attract local investors for this worthwhile enterprise.