Chorlton CLT group grew out of the Chorlton Community Led Housing Group which developed an alternative vison for a piece of land called Ryebank Fields, should it be sold for development. If this were to happen, the group would press for the best possible development for local people in terms of long term ownership and stewardship of the land, affordable and zero carbon homes, a cohousing community for over 50s, exemplar design quality, with protection and enhancement of the natural and historic environment.

With this in mind, CCLHG group ran public meetings during 2018 and early 2019 at Chorlton Library as well as a workshop on people’s housing aspirations at St Johns School.

Since the group was formed it also began working with the emerging GM Community Led Housing hub, receiving advice on governance and legal incorporation.

With the help of seed funding from the National CLT Network, Chorlton CLT was incorporated as a Community Benefit Society in April 2019 with a public launch in June. The first members meeting was held at the end of July 2019.

In September 2019, we learnt that we were one of sixteen Community Land Trusts to be awarded the Cohesive Communities Fund in order to strengthen our membership base.

In Autumn 2019 we took on a new project, the Stayin’ Alive campaign to save the old Co-op Funeralcare site in Chorlton, previously the Gaumont cinema, from being sold for private redevelopment. Public meetings were held to gauge local support and a fundraising campaign launched to turn local support into financial pledges.