As many of you will be aware, I've been working on a project to see Heath Barn, a 16th century, Grade II listed property in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire revitalised into something amazing for the use of the community.
The current owners, Herts County Council have plans to turn it into five residential dwellings. It's a long and complicated state of affairs which I've really enjoyed navigating, questioning and learning about over the past eighteen months. Definitely in my stretch zone!
The main issue has always been how we go about raising funds for the acquisition of the building, necessary renovations and the viability of a long term and robust counter proposal.
We've managed to do a really great job of resisting the current residential plans and pushing back on elements including how sympathetic these plans are to the barns listing. We have an engaged and enthusiastic support group in the community (over 600 on Facebook and over 300 on the mailing list).
This is of course, lovely...but...it means nothing without money behind it.
I have recently discovered a legal structure called a Community Benefit Society. I really feel this model would be fantastically suited to Heath Barn, giving local people (and not so local people 😉) the opportunity of investing shares into the building, giving them a sense of control over the future direction of activities it holds, whilst protecting it for decades to come. Although I have a clear and technicolour vision of the barn functioning as an Arts and wellbeing community hub...it makes sense it might shape shift over the years to flex around the needs of our community.
The example of The Ickleton Lion, a pub in rural Cambridgeshire, really inspired me. They have just raised a whopping £440,000 through people investing from near and far. I now understand this is quite common practice for significant buildings in communities that are keen to gain ownership and a say in the decision making process of these special buildings. It's also a green flag to other funders that it's not just a vanity project driven by a few people but a fully supported community initiative that people nave given their own money to seeing succeed.
I'm throwing the net wide to all the social media platforms to ask my network if they would also be interested in pledging. (Feels cheeky asking but hey its my one shot) Following initial consultation with experts in the field, Plunkett Uk, I have set a minimum suggested investment of £200, maximum £100,000.
Since the meeting I hels on Monday, I have already received several pledges...there were hands flying up in support which felt emotional and reassuring...could we finally be onto something?
Would you like the opportunity of owning shares in a beautiful heritage asset? Email me [email protected] x
ps. photo of the beams in the North Barn (taken on Monday)