community led housing london

Bow Creek Moorings

A group of boaters, currently using a private marina, setting up co-operative residential moorings to create a secure and sustainable community.

The project will provide safe and secure moorings for up to 10 boats, and bring new life to Bow Creek, helping to revitalise the river, and recognising the vital part it has played in the history of London.
As a co-operative, each boat will have a share in the ownership, management and responsibility for running the site. This will provide control over living and work arrangements and financial stability in contrast to the operation of commercial private marinas.

How we’re helping
We’re supporting negotiations with stakeholders to establish the project.

 Visit their website

Platform Homes Self-Build

Tower Hamlets residents working together to create self-build homes on tight infill sites.

Platform Homes were successful in securing the Christian Street site through Tower Hamlets Council’s Affordable Self-Build Programme. They have a wider membership of prospective residents, but the site is likely to accommodate two homes, where affordability will be protected in perpetuity. They are aiming to use modern methods of construction.

 

How we’re helping

We supported the group in preparing a submission for the affordable self-build programme, particularly around governance structures and finance. We are currently supporting discussions with adjacent landowners, as the groups look to submit a planning application.

 Visit their website

Rising Sun Housing Co-op

The Rising Sun Housing Co-operative was formed by a group of creatives living in a former pub, when their landlord put it on the market. They are seeking investment to finalise the purchase and secure their homes.

The building is used as both a home and workspace. It contains facilities such as a recording studio, rehearsal space, intimate venue and design studio which members of the community are allowed to use free of charge. On top of this, it provides crucial and increasingly rare affordable housing and a space for young creatives to build networks and meet other like-minded people. In short, The Rising Sun is a hub for all manner of creative outputs and a staple part of the local art and music culture.

The residents formed the co-operative to buy the pub from the landlord who recently put it on the market. This will allow them to provide additional affordable housing and studio space for their members. Having already improved their EPC rating from an F to a D, the co-operative is also looking to take further measures to improve the energy efficiency of the building, including loft insulation, new draught proofing, more double glazing and solar panels.

The Rising Sun have raised almost three-quarters of the equity they need to secure the space, but are still looking for investors to raise the rest as loan stock with attractive rates of interest.

 

How we’re helping
We supported their incorporation and helped to commission financial modelling and business planning, which has helped the co-op secure mortgages in principle, and prepare their loan stock offer. We have been directly involved in negotiating with the landowner and agents to get their offer accepted, and bringing solicitors on board and are on hand to see the deal through.

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Britannia Village Hall

The Britannia Village Hall site is an ageing but popular community centre, nursery, playground and car park managed by the West Silvertown Foundation, a local charity which operates in the Royal Docks.

They are looking into redeveloping the site to provide new facilities for community activities as well as up to 30 homes. This will not only allow local residents to benefit from the provision of updated services but will also help meet the high demand for housing locally.

How we’re helping:
We helped WSF consider viability and development options and an early stage and have supported detailed feasibility and work to ensure they have a developable lease. We have also helped in looking at the options to progress the scheme to planning, and exploring potential partnerships.

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Beam River CLT

Based in East London, Beam River CLT is aiming to empower disadvantaged members of the African community through the provision of affordable housing.

They are also motivated by the negative impacts of loneliness and isolation and are looking to create a supportive community, which will combat the challenge of social care for the elderly.

How we helped
We supported Beam River CLT to focus their strategic thinking and helped them incorporate.

 Visit their website