Bridge Farm update as time running out to buy site near M32

The people behind a project to protect a farm in Bristol[1] and keep it under public control have so far raised more than GBP30,000 with less than two weeks left of the fundraiser. The Bridge Farm Community aimed to raise GBP100,000[2] so the Bristol Community Land Trust (BCLT) could buy the farm. The Bridge Farm Community is located just off the M32 motorway[3] near junction two.

The Eastville[4] farm was originally given planning permission to be turned into housing. Bristol Live reported in April that the organisers of the fundraiser wanted to raise the GBP100,000 in just under a week to apply for a Community Ownership Fund (COF) grant, which would have then been matched to enable the purchase of the farm. The GBP100k would have been matched by current owners Ashley Vale Action Group, which would then be used to gain GBP850k through the COF.

In the latest updates which have been posted on Crowdfunder[7], Natasha Martirosian said that the Bridge Farm Community group has adjusted the COF grant appeal meaning that the “match funding [requirement] will be lower”. It was also confirmed that it is in negotiations for loan agreements which will go towards the match fund. In the post, dated May 13, the end date for the fund was changed so that it aligns up with the COF application process.

It added: “We are adjusting our request to the Community Ownership Fund, which will mean our match funding will be lower, so we are already closer to meeting the match. “We are in the process of negotiating some loan agreements that will also help to support the match fund, so we are hoping we will be in a better position by the end of May to be meeting our match fund. Though the larger the crowdfund, the better it will look to the Community Ownership Fund.”

The M32 looking towards the existing Bridge Farm Community. (Image: Google Maps)

The Ashley Vale Action Group bought the site six years ago to protect it from private development and, whilst planning permission was sought for new houses, it has so far not been given.

The Community added: “Some of the original lenders quite rightly need their funds back, and with the ongoing delays, the Ashley Vale Action Group is now forced to sell the farm to honour their lenders.” The fundraiser goes on to say that for “every GBP1 put in, it will enable us to generate GBP9.50” and currently more than 600 people have donated. According to Crowdfunder, one person has even donated more than GBP5000.

The latest update added: “Would you be able to do an amazing thing? Can you find one more person, who you think recognise the value of community ownership to add GBP1 or more, and to add their name to the list. It would be fantastic to get the numbers [of people who donated] over 1000, and if we can all find one person, we can do this.”

The Farmhouse, which was on sale at an auction, was bought[8] prior to the auction commencing on May 23. The barnhouse contains six bedrooms and came with unconverted outbuildings. Want the latest Bristol breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group[9].

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References

1. ^ Bristol (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ aimed to raise GBP100,000 (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ M32 motorway (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ Eastville (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ More than 600 student beds and new hotel planned (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
6. ^ Bristol school faces disruption with 23-day strike (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
7. ^ Crowdfunder (www.crowdfunder.co.uk)
8. ^ was bought (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
9. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp group (chat.whatsapp.com)
10. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)