Ros Brewer is the company secretary and director of the Lewes Community Land Trust, which is building 15 affordable two and three-bedroom houses in the North Street Quarter to give young, disadvantaged families a place to call home
What do you do?
I volunteer for the Lewes Community Land Trust. I’m the company secretary and a director. I consider it my work now.
When did you decide to do this?
About three years ago.
There was a big local development about to take place and I could see that the proposals were very good. There was a big campaign to oppose it and I could see that it was good so I took the opposite view to most of my neighbours. They wanted to demolish the existing buildings, but I could see that they were good. I got involved with the land trust because I could see that there was a big need for local housing.
How do you fit in?
I fit it in as and when I can, that’s the disadvantage of being retired, you end up doing some late nights. I think it takes about two days a week, that’s what I’ve worked out.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
Our proudest moment so far has been reaching an agreement with a developer, an in principle agreement to acquire 15 houses in the development at 50 per cent of the cost with the agreement of the local council, it’s a tripartite agreement. That was in November 2015.
What’s been the hardest?
The hardest thing is learning to understand the regulatory controls and the way things are changing in terms of legislation. The housing sector is under pressure, we don’t have enough, and it’s moving on rapidly, so keeping on top of it is tough.
What drives you?
A clear vision of the local families with small children who are obliged to live in rented accommodation that is really expensive and where they could be moved on if the landlord wanted to. I have two families in mind, I know them personally and I know their children. They inspire me.
What’s the next step?
The next step for us is to get the costings from the developer for his proposal because we’re going to be buying off plan. We’re getting to costings today or tomorrow and we’ll see if our project is viable. I’m going to have to do a lot of work establishing if they are fair and reasonable prices.
How did you vote in the EU referendum and why?
I voted to remain, because I think it’s better as Britain as a whole. I think we’re more likely to stay united, not leave Scotland, and I think it would have been better for our geopolitical place in the world if we had remained. I went through a huge range of emotions when we went for Brexit and I think people who campaigned for Brexit lied in their campaign. I’m continuing to inform myself. Maybe the EU is not perfect, perhaps something better can come out in the end. That’s what I hope.
Will the outcome affect what you do?
We are concerned that it will make a difference. It make a difference to the construction sector right away and to most major housebuilders. The developer that we’re working with has money from overseas and is continuing to go ahead. That was their position when we asked them after Brexit.
What would you say to someone looking to get involved?
I would tell them to get in touch with the national network, to find out CLTs where they live. There are all manner of different groups and structure so you want to research how they’re set up and what you can learn from them. Just keep looking at what the need is in your community. For us it is the influence of London house prices that force up prices for rental, driving local families out.
