Who are they and what is their aim?
Langley Community Benefits Society (LCBS) was created in November 2020 by people from the local community of Langley. It was born from one man’s passion to build much needed social houses for the community where he lived. Terry Smith was upset because of the lack of social housing and people from his community not being able to get a property they could afford near their family, friends, and support networks.
Terry joined with a number of people with the same ambition; Sue Smith, Ivy Isherwood, Kathryn Carr and Jeff Allen. On a small site owned by Rochdale Council the team aim to build sixteen 1,2 and 4 bed properties that otherwise wouldn’t be built. Once created, the properties will be owned by the Society and let to people who have a connection to Langley.
Read their story in full - Rochdale's community-led housing pioneers lead the way to more social homes
"Local people having a say in who gets the jobs, what the houses will look like, where they will be built, not building on green spaces and who will move into them gives me a tremendous feeling of hope for the future of our community.” Terry Smith, founding member and Chair of LCBS
How is the Resonance Community Developers Fund supporting them?
The team discussed their vision with partners Rochdale Council and Riverside Housing and have worked with GMCVO to apply for feasibility investment from Resonance Community Developers Fund.
The Society have secured £46,850 to explore their ideas: £30,100 in community shares from the Resonance Community Developers Fund, £14,860 from Rochdale Council and the remainder from local groups and supporters.
The team are looking to design the homes just how they like them, they want to skill local people up so they can apply for any of the jobs created during this project. They have already started doing this by working in partnership with Keep Moat Construction.
The designs will be energy efficient and outline plans have been sent to the Planning Department for feedback before designing in detail.
"There are more groups of people throughout Rochdale looking at doing what we have done, which makes me feel proud of our achievements.” Sue Smith, founding member of LCBS
Find out more about Langley Community Benefits Society:
Website: https://www.langleycommunity.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCBA4
