Hook Norton Community Land Trust

Affordable, low carbon homes shaped by the local community

Hook Norton Community Land Trust built Bourne Green, a community-led development of affordable homes designed to have a positive impact on the environment and stand the test of time.

After two years of community consultation, the group built 12 affordable homes and a communal building. The homes are built to the Passivhaus standard, so they need very little energy to heat. Local practice Charlie Luxton Design designed them, with the layout shaped by the needs of the community. Eight homes are for affordable rent and four are for sale.

The site has a microgrid designed by Low Carbon Hub, which manages solar generation and supply across the development. There is a community car club with five electric vehicles charged from the microgrid, plus EV charging points, food growing areas and wildlife-friendly spaces. The communal building has co-working space, a meeting room and two rooms for rent.

In 2024, Bourne Green won awards from Inside Housing, the Evening Standard and the Oxford Climate Awards.

The project raised £343,020 through a community share offer. Donations are still welcome to help close the remaining funding gap.