About Us...

Shaping Your Local Community

The Stretham and Wilburton Community Land Trust (SWCLT) is proud to be at the forefront of addressing some of the significant challenges facing our local villages, particularly in terms of access to affordable homes and shared amenities, which are vital for sustaining a lively and vibrant community.

In recent years, planning policies have restricted the housing supply, but now there’s an exciting opportunity to make a difference. The 2011 Localism Act and the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework provided the chance to approach things differently. In response, our two villages united in 2011 to form SWCLT, making it Cambridgeshire’s first Community Land Trust.

Background

A Clear Mission

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are being established across the UK as not-for-profit organisations managed by local volunteers. These trusts develop housing, workspaces, or other assets to meet community needs. They enable more people to live closer to their workplaces, schools, shops, clubs, friends, and families. As an independent entity, SWCLT is fully accountable to local residents, with regulations ensuring that its assets remain community-owned indefinitely.

We are pleased to announce that we are now in the fourth phase of housing development at Manor Farm, where many local residents have already benefited from SWCLT’s efforts. For more information about Community Land Trusts, please visit: [www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk](http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk).

Our goal is straightforward – to empower the people who live or work in the villages to have a greater say in local development, ensuring it benefits the entire community.

Shaping Your Local Community

The Stretham and Wilburton Community Land Trust (SWCLT) is proud to be at the forefront of addressing some of the significant challenges facing our local villages, particularly in terms of access to affordable homes and shared amenities, which are vital for sustaining a lively and vibrant community.

In recent years, planning policies have restricted the housing supply, but now there’s an exciting opportunity to make a difference. The 2011 Localism Act and the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework provided the chance to approach things differently. In response, our two villages united in 2011 to form SWCLT, making it Cambridgeshire’s first Community Land Trust.

A Clear Mission

Our goal is straightforward – to empower the people who live or work in the villages to have a greater say in local development, ensuring it benefits the entire community.

Background

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are being established across the UK as not-for-profit organisations managed by local volunteers. These trusts develop housing, workspaces, or other assets to meet community needs. They enable more people to live closer to their workplaces, schools, shops, clubs, friends, and families. As an independent entity, SWCLT is fully accountable to local residents, with regulations ensuring that its assets remain community-owned indefinitely.

We are pleased to announce that we are now in the fourth phase of housing development at Manor Farm, where many local residents have already benefited from SWCLT’s efforts. For more information about Community Land Trusts, please visit:

http://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk).

MEMBER

MEMBERSHIP

The legal set-up

With the backing and financial support of Stretham and Wilburton Parish Councils, in October 2012 SWCLT was incorporated as a charitable Industrial and Provident Society. SWCLT is independent of Stretham and Wilburton Parish Councils and is not attached to any commercial property developer or vested interest.

Run by local people, for local people

SWCLT is managed day to day by the Trustees, a board of volunteer directors.

Members

For a nominal fee, anyone who lives and / or works in Stretham and Wilburton can join SWCLT as a member. By joining you can shape the activities of the Trust, suggest what kind of land development is needed and help make informed choices. The more members we have, the more we can do to benefit the whole community.

We’d really like your ideas and support. Find out more about becoming a member:

Click the button to check out our Membership Page:

MEMBERSHIP

The legal set-up

With the backing and financial support of Stretham and Wilburton Parish Councils, in October 2012 SWCLT was incorporated as a charitable Industrial and Provident Society. SWCLT is independent of Stretham and Wilburton Parish Councils and is not attached to any commercial property developer or vested interest.

Run by local people, for local people

SWCLT is managed day to day by the Trustees, a board of volunteer directors.

Members

For a nominal fee, anyone who lives and / or works in Stretham and Wilburton can join SWCLT as a member. By joining you can shape the activities of the Trust, suggest what kind of land development is needed and help make informed choices. The more members we have, the more we can do to benefit the whole community.

We’d really like your ideas and support. Find out more about becoming a member:

Click the button to check out our Membership Page:

MEMBERSHIP

Join Us In Making A Difference...

Getting Involved

SWCLT is a membership organisation, so we want as many local people to get involved and have their say as possible. It’s your community and your chance to make a difference.

Why get involved as a community member?

For a membership cost of only £1, you can have a significant influence over how your village could be improved. It’s your chance to decide what kind of development is needed and make informed choices about the future. The more members we have, the more representative of the community we can be.

How you can make a difference

By joining SWCLT today, you’ll become part of an organisation committed to:

Community ownership of land and property assets
Respect for local needs and views of the whole community
Care for the physical and natural environment
Enhancing a sense of community spirit
Nurturing skills, social links and economic opportunity
Acting with transparency, accountability and integrity
Encouraging local democracy, self-reliance and social responsibility
Considering future generations

Dr Jan Aniskowicz

For over 30 years Jan has lived in Wilburton, serving as GP to Wilburton, Stretham and Haddenham. Now retired from practice, Jan has been a governor at Stretham Primary School and Witchford Village College and professionally involved with local NHS organisations. His priority is to maintain and enhance community spirit by supporting local initiatives.

Dr Tina Barsby OBE

Resident in Stretham for 27 years, Tina previously served as a Parish councillor and governor at the school. As chief executive of a major agricultural research foundation, she has a wealth of experience of the operation and governance of not-for-profit organisations. Tina raised her two children in the village and has a strong commitment to the community.

Nigel Brown

Chartered town planner Nigel has lived in Cambridgeshire for 27 years, seventeen in Stretham. He has always worked in local government, currently in a senior role at Uttlesford District Council. Nigel is a strong advocate of meaningful community engagement as an essential part of managing local land development.

Harvey Upton

Harvey has lived in Cambridgeshire on and off for 20 years, eight in Wilburton, and five years as a Parish Councillor.

Qualified in Water Management, his background is ICT Programme Management, local government Finance and Planning systems, the Nuclear industry, and environmental management. Locally Harvey has supported the Berry Fen opposition to industrial scale land based wind turbines and remains a supporter of genuinely green and environmentally beneficial initiatives. He is a keen advocate of local people working together to shape their own civic environments.
He enjoys motorcycling but doesnt want to die just yet - theres just too much left to do!

Charles Roberts

Stretham-born Charles has deep local roots, and raised his family here. Charles previously served as a Parish Councillor for over 25 years and a District Councillor for 8 years. As Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council he introduced the much praised and copied Community Land Trust Planning Policy. He was also Deputy Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Following the sale of his business, he set up a consultancy practice which he still participates in today providing advice to some of the largest UK companies and SMEs. Charles is wholly committed to maintaining an active and vibrant village where people of all ages and incomes can afford to settle.

Anthea Dodson

Born in Wilburton, Anthea (Tup) is Secretary and a Deacon of Wilburton Community Baptist Church, a Governor at the Primary School, a member of the Parish Council for over 30 years and actively helps lots of the Village organisations. She was Head of the Criminal Justice Department at Cambridgehire Constabulary when she retired. Through SWCLT she is keen that development can be controlled and benefits go directly back into the community whilst providing much needed affordable homes for local people.

Kier Petherick

Kier came to East Anglia to work in agricultural management and brings to the Trust extensive experience of business including land transactions. In 2009 he joined F.C. Palmer and Sons, now the largest farm in Stretham, farming over 3500 acres. As major employers with a long-term commitment to the village, Kier and the Palmer family understand the need for local housing and strong community.

Eloise Bright

CLT Tenant Trustee.

Kitt Hunt

CLT Tenant Trustee.

Miriam Brown

The Board is also supported by

Miriam Brown, a solicitor and Stretham resident.

Our Trustees

These are our Trustees. We can have up to 12 Trustees – all of whom are selected on the basis of the skills required by the Trust and are voted into the role.We can have up to 12 Trustees – all of whom are selected on the basis of the skills required by the Trust and are voted into the role.

Will it take up much time?

No, there are no obligations whatsoever. However, you’ll find us a warm, friendly group and, if you are interested, there will be plenty of chances to get more involved.

Do I need any experience?

No. Whether you have lived here for years or are new to the area, anyone aged over 18 can apply to join.

Am I eligible?

Application for community membership is open to:

Anyone over 18 who lives in, works in or owns land in Stretham or Wilburton parishes
Any organisation active in Stretham or Wilburton parishes (represented by a nominated individual) that supports SWCLT’s objectives and agrees to be bound by its rules.

What do I do now?

Simply download the membership application form here and send it with your £1 payment to our office at:
Miss Laura Shearing, 32 Top Street, Stretham, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3JL

Click on Membership Form below or alternatively, please contact us and we will send you a form to complete.

Can you help as a non-member?

We can always welcome an extra pair of hands. Even if you don’t want to become a member, your skills as a volunteer could always be enormously helpful. To discuss, without any obligation, please contact the SWCLT Clerk by email on swclt.clerk@gmail.com or call 07762 040800.

SWCLT MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Contact Us

Address: SWCLT Clerk, 32 Top Street, Stretham, CB613JL

Email: swclt.clerk@gmail.com

Tel: 07762 040800

Privacy Policy

Quick Menu

MEMBER

SWCLT

Contact Us

Address: SWCLT Clerk, 32 Top Street, Stretham, CB6 3JL

Email: SWCLT.clerk@gmail.com

Tel: 07762 040800

Privacy Policy

Quick Menu

MEMBER

Dr Jan Aniskowicz

For over 30 years Jan has lived in Wilburton, serving as GP to Wilburton, Stretham and Haddenham. Now retired from practice, Jan has been a governor at Stretham Primary School and Witchford Village College and professionally involved with local NHS organisations. His priority is to maintain and enhance community spirit by supporting local initiatives.

Dr Tina Barsby OBE

Resident in Stretham for 27 years, Tina previously served as a Parish councillor and governor at the school. As chief executive of a major agricultural research foundation, she has a wealth of experience of the operation and governance of not-for-profit organisations. Tina raised her two children in the village and has a strong commitment to the community.

Nigel Brown

Chartered town planner Nigel has lived in Cambridgeshire for 34 years, 22 in Stretham. He has always worked in local government, currently in a senior role at Uttlesford District Council. Nigel is a strong advocate of meaningful community engagement as an essential part of managing local land development.

Harvey Upton

Harvey has lived in Cambridgeshire on and off for 20 years, eight in Wilburton, and five years as a Parish Councillor.

Qualified in Water Management, his background is ICT Programme Management, local government Finance and Planning systems, the Nuclear industry, and environmental management. Locally Harvey has supported the Berry Fen opposition to industrial scale land based wind turbines and remains a supporter of genuinely green and environmentally beneficial initiatives. He is a keen advocate of local people working together to shape their own civic environments.
He enjoys motorcycling but doesnt want to die just yet - theres just too much left to do!

Charles Roberts

Stretham-born Charles has deep local roots, and raised his family here. Charles previously served as a Parish Councillor for over 25 years and a District Councillor for 8 years. As Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council he introduced the much praised and copied Community Land Trust Planning Policy. He was also Deputy Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Following the sale of his business, he set up a consultancy practice which he still participates in today providing advice to some of the largest UK companies and SMEs. Charles is wholly committed to maintaining an active and vibrant village where people of all ages and incomes can afford to settle.

Anthea Dodson

Born in Wilburton, Anthea (Tup) is Secretary and a Deacon of Wilburton Community Baptist Church, a Governor at the Primary School, a member of the Parish Council for over 30 years and actively helps lots of the Village organisations. She was Head of the Criminal Justice Department at Cambridgehire Constabulary when she retired. Through SWCLT she is keen that development can be controlled and benefits go directly back into the community whilst providing much needed affordable homes for local people.

Kier Petherick

Kier came to East Anglia to work in agricultural management and brings to the Trust extensive experience of business including land transactions. In 2009 he joined F.C. Palmer and Sons, now the largest farm in Stretham, farming over 3500 acres. As major employers with a long-term commitment to the village, Kier and the Palmer family understand the need for local housing and strong community.

Eloise Bright

CLT Tenant Trustee.

Kitt Hunt

CLT Tenant Trustee.

Our Trustees

These are our Trustees. We can have up to 12 Trustees – all of whom are selected on the basis of the skills required by the Trust and are voted into the role.