The Association


The Asscociation and its History


A Brief History

In late 1999 Devon County Council approached Roborough Parish Council inviting the parish to have an input on the future of two Devon County Council owned farms (Glebe and Newcombes) in the parish whose tenants were soon to retire.



A public meeting was held in the village hall with over 90 people attending and it was decided to form a group independent of the parish council to investigate further.

 

The Roborough Community Partnership (RCP) was formed with the object to establish, develop and maintain, in conjunction with Torridge District Council and Devon County Council, a viable community development plan following the rationalization of Devon County Council Farms, namely Newcombes and Glebe, in the parish.

In January 2001 the RCP conducted a parish questionnaire followed by an Open Meeting for all residents to put forward and discuss any thoughts and ideas they may have for the land and buildings in DCC ownership.

From this, two main objectives were formulated and proposed to DCC.


  1. To be able to extend the existing playing field to improve/extend existing facilities and provide an amenity area for the use of the parish.
  2. To be able to influence the development of Newcombes farmyard within the constraints of present planning policy to include an element of affordable housing for local people.

 

Public presentations in 2003 and 2006, a Housing Needs Survey in 2007 and discussions with DCC resulted in the RCP eventually submitting a planning application in April 2010 for re developing Newcombes Farmyard to include 4 affordable dwellings and extending the existing playing field.

Planning permission was granted in October 2011.

 

In May 2012 the Roborough Community Property Association Ltd was formed to take the project forward. The RCPAL was registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 which is now the Co-operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014. It is a non-profit making association. At present it has 59 shareholders and it's day to day business is carried out by a board of 7.

 

The next 6 years saw protracted negotiations with various developers and the DCC eventually resulting in our contract with Mazzard Investments and their revised planning application to redevelop Newcombes farmyard.

 

From this contract and grants received from the Homes and Communities Agency and others the RCPAL have:

 

  • Acquired the freehold of 4 affordable dwellings (two 2 bed and two 3 bed) mortgage free
  • Purchased the freehold to two fields adjacent to the original playing field (8 Acres).
  • Funded the new tennis / netball court, car park, new playground equipment, and fencing.
  • Part funded in partnership with the parish council the provision of the Air Ambulance night landing light and electric points to the fields

 

The RCPAL also have an agreement with the Parish Council to manage the area of the original playing field.

 

The four houses are rented to local people at affordable rents and the income is used to maintain the houses and maintain and improve facilities (when funds allow) on the playing fields.

The Trustees

The Association is now managed by the following Trustee's

Des Isaac

Barry Whiting

Sophia May                     

Chairman  

Secretary

Treasurer  

Olivia Burls

Verlie Hookway

Piers Rooke


Administrator

Joining The Team

  • If you would like to become a Trustee and feel that you have a strong commitment to the project or a particular skill which would enhance the board. Please contact us via the Contact page. All expressions of interest will be kept in the strictest confidence. The RCPAL board always welcome skills such as financial management, property management, community or commercial development or any other skill that you feel might aid the RCPAL's activities.
  • If you would like to become involved as a shareholder to express your ideas and views on these important projects to provide for the future of Roborough and it’s community. Please contact us via the Contact page.


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