Tool: Community Interest Company (CIC)
A CIC is a regulated Companies Act vehicle for land and asset ownership, including promotion and development of capital and revenue projects for the needs of the local community, based on an urban design approach.
A Community Interest Company permits maximum commercial flexibility with local accountability, especially through the 'asset lock'. The asset lock ensures that all assets of the Company are used for the benefit of the Community. The CIC can provide benefits to the community, rather than to individuals, who own, run or work in the Company. This forms the "Community Interest Test".
Example of tool in use: Granton, Edinburgh (under discussion)
The CIC's objects seek to secure a thriving, high quality built environment which meets the needs of the local community, develops to enhance the area's character, encourages and supports existing and new creative businesses and achieves a reputation distinct from other areas. The Company can:
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Maintain and manage a portal website to represent the entire area
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Contribute to and support delivery of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and Order to enhance the area's offering for residents and visitors
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Take ownership of built assets and develop and maintain them for community benefit
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Work towards a sustainable environment including reducing energy use and the development of renewable energy sources
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Work with public and private sectors to develop businesses and services to encourage business start-ups
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Seek funding for projects in the area
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Work with a Housing Association or others to develop Affordable Housing
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Provide Public Realm
Contributed by Les Huckfield MRTPI, Leslie Huckfield Research
Tool: Townscape Assessment
The Assessment integrates the principles of archaeology, urbanism and ecology to create an holistic and substantive evidence base that describes the inherited character of an area in detail.
Example of tool in use: Lincoln Townscape Assessment (LTA)
The Lincoln Townscape Assessment (2005-2009) characterised the entire City of Lincoln Council (CoLC) authority area, developing and applying a new method of historic characterisation in the process. The character of 108 distinctive places, known as ‘Character Areas’, was described by integrating existing heritage and ecological information with the results of thorough ground survey.
The LTA is proving a useful place-shaping tool in Lincoln, particularly in contributing to development management. The Council is currently working on a project recording the way in which it can be used for in place-shaping, including in Neighbourhood Management and Plan-making.
Publicly launched in June 2010, www.heritageconnectlincoln.com is the online gateway to the LTA and the heritage and ecological information it drew upon. The website was a key tool for integrating with the City of Lincoln’s place-shaping approach, providing information to all stakeholders, both externally and within the authority.
Further information
Contributed by Adam Partington, Townscape Character Projects Manager, City of Lincoln Council
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