An excellent presentation, ‘open day’ and tour of a beautiful part of the Moss lands on our Salford doorstep, enabled likeminded individuals and groups the opportunity to join a Steering Group for the Chat Moss Land Trust. That steering group will oversee the running of the Community Land Trust (CLT), a form of community driven organization that focuses on the ownership and stewardship of land for the benefit of the community at Moss Lane Farm on Chat Moss. The primary goal of a CLT is to ensure that land remains accessible, affordable, and under community control in the long term. CLT’s are democratic, non-profit organisations that own and develop land for the benefit of the community and operates with a specific set of principles to address issues such as affordable housing, sustainable development, pubs, shops, energy schemes, shared workspaces, farms, and conservation landscapes, all offering community empowerment. Jannine McMahon said, “We believe this will give the farm community the confidence to face an uncertain future, develop its ecological and community enterprises, provide care farming for social prescribing and education that will continue to accelerate the farm access for all in Salford and act as an inspiration to like-minded communities.” At the ‘Green Teach Community Farm’ a community-led organisation they are seeking to assemble a well-matched and skilled team of volunteers for the Chat Moss Land Trust Steering Group. The project is to raise funds to buy Moss Lane Farm a family run farm at the heart of Chat Moss. Keeping it accessible and for all in the community for many years to come and leaving a long-lasting legacy for our future generations. Chat Moss Land Trust aims to set out a vision of what a hopeful, caring and secure future looks like. The project will last around 12-18 months and there will be monthly meetings with tasks in between. It is a responsible position, and it will encompass residents in Eccles, Irlam and Cadishead, the rest of Salford and wider afield and including community organisations, schools, and businesses in our great ‘Green’ City. Chat Moss Community Land Trust will acquire land through purchase of community shares 1 share = 1 vote, this gives communities the power to develop a shared vision for their area that can shape, direct, and help to deliver sustainable development by influencing local planning decisions. The CLT could also be a potential mechanism to address historical exclusions and reconnect communities with the land their ancestors once used to provide for their families. A land trust is typically a legal entity that holds and manages land for the benefit of Salford communities. With your help, collectively we can create a vision of hope through community ownership visit https://www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk/
