Update: Saving the Heavens Valley
CPRE Gloucestershire are supporting the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society.
Thrupp Farm in Stroud, which includes the popular beauty spot the Heavens Valley, is in the process of being bought by a group representing the whole community.
A deal has been agreed between the current owner, Moreton Cullimore, and the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society, which was formed by local residents and councillors with the aim of buying the 102-acre site.
The HVCBS has to raise £850,000, including costs, to buy the land. So far, it has nearly reached its initial target of £300,000 through donations, events and sales of shares in the CBS. The rest of the money is being provided in the form of low-interest loans from two local supporters who share the CBS’s vision of ensuring public access and enhancing nature recovery and biodiversity.
Once the purchase is complete the HVCBS will continue fundraising to repay the loans within two years. As lump sums are repaid to the lenders, parcels of land will be released from a ‘charge’ that the lenders hold as security, and the site will come piece by piece into full community ownership.
HVCBS coordinator Karen Thomas said: “There has been huge interest and support from local people, with more than 340 having bought shares and hundreds more having made donations. Some have offered to organise fundraising events while many more have signed up to volunteer to help with practical tasks, from admin to legal advice, from footpath maintenance to book-keeping.
“The massive support we are getting from the community – both financial and practical – is heart-warming, and shows how much local people love this beautiful land. But we cannot rest on our laurels; we still have an enormous amount of money to raise, so we are urging people to dig deep to make our vision of full community ownership a reality.”
