Our CLT is committed not only to creating new affordable housing to rent but also at bringing back into use currently empty properties – and at the same time retrofitting them, to the highest possible environmental standards we can.

Jerusalem Farm cottage

After a lot of legal and funding work, in August 2024 we have leased this beautifully situated but run down cottage from Calderdale Council and have immediately started work to renovate it.

As part of the Jerusalem Farm countryside area near Booth in the Luddenden valley it was previously used by the Jerusalem Farm warden, when the site had a live-in member of staff and it will be good to have it lived in again.

The cottage has been empty for several years and needs around £40,000 spending on it to bring it up to standard. This work is underway and we hope it will be available before the end of 2024.    

Hebden Bridge Town Centre

We are currently well advanced in discussions with Calderdale council, which would see us take on long leasehold ownership of two houses in Crown St, Hebden Bridge, above a shop in the very centre of the town.

We think it’s important for both social and environmental reasons to have people living in our town centres;  it means among other things that buses and trains are very close at hand, and car usage can be reduced or eliminated.

These houses are now about fifty years old but are in reasonable condition. We have already undertaken a detailed survey and reviewed options to improve the sustainability of the properties. We acknowledge with thanks the grant for initial feasibility work from the Calderdale Council/Community Foundation for Calderdale Zero Carbon fund.    

Once the lease is finalised we plan to quickly bring them up a lettable standard and look forward to welcoming new residents to the centre of Hebden Bridge soon after.