A NEW action group has been formed to help build much-needed affordable housing for all those squeezed out of the property market by the rocketing prices.

The Haslemere Community Land Trust (CLT) first went public at the Christmas market on December 3, where it set up shop to explain how it will work to ease the current acute shortage of low-cost homes.

It will identify suitable sites to build more housing for rent or shared ownership on, with the backing of the national CLT network.

Founder member Martin James said: “Our stall was a big success for us. There were many expressions of interest and new members signing up.

“Among them were a mother and daughter, whose situation typified one of the main problems with Haslemere housing – a youngish adult stuck in the parental home, because they cannot afford a place of their own, despite doing a decent job in the community, as a nurse.

“The average price of a Haslemere property is now £500,000 and the number of people locally who can’t afford a home of their own is growing.

“A lot of people working in the area are not particularly well paid and they have to commute for long distances. It’s an acute and continuing problem.

“A key point is the housing we provide will be owned by the community for the community. CLTs deliver shared ownership and below-market rents.

“We are looking at a number of sites. But we need as many people as possible to become members, so we can go to local government and say this is what Haslemere wants. That will greatly improve our funding.

“It seems government is taking the issue seriously and will be putting money into the network.”

The idea of a community land trust for the town was first proposed in 2013 at a meeting of Haslemere Vision, the group set up in conjunction with the town council to prepare a Local Neighbourhood Plan to be used by Waverley Borough Council to help guide major planning decisions.

The idea of forming a CLT was included in a consultation exercise in 2015, and the idea received more than 70 per cent backing from those responding.

An application was made to the national CLT network for funding to hold a public meeting in June 2016.

Following presentations, the meeting concluded it was a proposal worth pursuing and several volunteers set up a steering group.

Their brief was two fold – firstly, building permanently affordable housing for rent and covenanted purchase for members of the local community, and those in key jobs – and, secondly, encouraging affordable employment and business units to promote local jobs.

Haslemere CLT received start-up grant funding in early 2017. It was formed as a community benefit society in May and was launched this month.

•For details see www.haslemereclt.org.uk