To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what guidance he has issued to local authorities on the use of Community Land Trusts; (318535)

The Government are committed to helping the development of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) that are well managed and financially robust.

To provide clarity about the nature of the CLT sector, we included a definition of a CLT in the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008.

We have supported a number of pilot CLT projects across the country through the Housing Corporation and its successor the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The HCA is exploring with local authorities the role that CLTs could play in meeting local housing need.

We have approved a £500,000 grant for Carnegie UK, supported by Community Finance Solutions, to develop the CLT sector by developing a sustainable network of training/guidance and support, and by engaging with lenders to facilitate access to finance for communities wishing to develop CLTs.

We have also funded the Development Trust Association to establish an asset transfer unit to help community organisations including CLTs to transform land and buildings into community assets.