The grant is £911,000: a significant, game-changing amount which will allow us to pay off our bridging loans, invest in the site and employ two part-time staff for two years.

This was one of various potential major funding opportunities we explored. Seeking out potential sources of money has been an ongoing activity, and we were delighted to be invited to meet with Summerfield Charitable Trust (SCT). Over the course of several meetings, it became clear that our ethos was very much aligned with theirs, and we were able to answer any questions they had.

We have been optimistic since early 2025 that we might be awarded some money but nothing could be taken for granted.

SCT normally funds projects at a much lower amount through its regular grant programme. They very occasionally consider larger funding, investing in projects that they consider innovative and game-changing in this county, including those that benefit nature. We were delighted that the Trust saw the same possibilities as we do arising from community ownership, nature recovery and much more, and decided to entrust us with such a large sum.

Paying off the remaining bridging loans means that the entire 102 acres is now fully owned by the community, making up one of the largest community buy-outs in England. Our lenders held a legal ’charge’ over a large part of the site, from which we are now released.

We had to apply and meet with Summerfield Charitable Trust trustees to explain our plans and answer their questions, and we gave them a budget showing where their money will be spent. We will of course be required to report regularly on progress, agree to any changes, and account for how the money is spent.

This generous grant has been ring-fenced for specific purposes and projects, for instance, paying off our bridging loans, the employment of two-part time people for two years, and on infrastructure to help with site management and access. The grant puts us on a much more sustainable footing, removing the risks that we took on. However the grant does not cover the ongoing management costs of the land, so the need to continue to fundraise will never go away for the ongoing care of the Heavens Valley, for new community projects, and alsoin the future big opportunities to do more with the farm buildings.

We will be recruiting someone to help us on land management and community volunteering, and someone to push forward our plans for community engagement and outreach. We are currently working up job descriptions.

Yes, there is no limit to the number of shares that we can issue.

One of the outcomes we’re focused on with this funding is about building capacity from within, to strengthen community opportunities and become more self-sufficient in the process. Other elements of the work will lead to us being able to claim annual environmental land management grants. We will have to carry on raising money for some things, plus there is potential to look at activities that become income generating too.

The larger part of the money has let us clear our loans so that we now own all the land outright. We express again our thanks to the two local people who lent such a substantial sum, without whom the site would have never been secured for the community. This still leaves us with a substantial sum, which we plan to spend in four main areas. 

- We will be taking on two part-time staff for two years: an experienced land manager and volunteer lead, and someone to drive forward our plans for community engagement and consultation.

- Capital investment on major cost items like perimeter fencing and access improvements. More details on this will be made available, and some require community input first.

- Investing in the farm buildings, split between work to prevent the buildings from deteriorating and exploring potential future uses, and partial upgrading and renovation to provide a secure tool and machinery store, toilets and a room for volunteer/community use. 

- We will also be using some of the funding on monitoring our progress, and looking at lessons learnt to assist similar community groups elsewhere acquiring land. This was an important wider benefit that SCT wanted to see included and is something that we are equally committed to.

We are still working on site surveys for the next few months to help us understand what’s special about the site, to develop management priorities and options for wildlife and habitat management, nature recovery, access and recreational use. In parallel we will be seeking more insight into the community’s views. 

This, and more, will all feed into extensive plans for community engagement and consultation. We have also agreed on what we are calling our interim land management proposals. These describe the management work we will be undertaking now, to hold the site as it was when we took it on until we can secure a stronger community mandate about long-term plans. Early work to stabilise and secure the farm building will be a priority.

Our interim land management plan can be found here Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society Management Plan – September 2024