The £150,000 will cover remaining planning application and associated costs. Our application is relatively large, complex and unique. There is a requirement for information from ecology, transport to drainage and energy, The full set of drawings of the Village include a masterplan, buildings and landscaping. We also need to cover the environmental credentials of the project, explaining and quantifying the performance of the buildings, renewable energy systems and plans for shared vehicles.   

Drawing up and submitting our planning application for the Village will cost more than £300,000 in total. We’d previously raised more than half of this and have now put out a call for the remaining £150,000.

Any housing development would have to do most of this as well but we’re going further to lock in the unique characteristics and benefits of the project, such as how the land is intricately linked to the village and how we’ll be able to radically reduce emissions from residents. 

Once planning is approved, we will raise funds from future residents and external finance to begin construction. Repayment of development loans is included within this model. 

If the village does not proceed, we would look to sell the farm and surrounding land to repay outstanding loans.

We are looking for loan commitments by the end of May 2025, with most funds drawn down in June. However, for some loans a firm commitment by end of May is would be enough. We don’t need all the money until September/October when we pay the planning application fee and the final bills from our architects and consultants. If you're interested in lending but don't have the funds right now, early autumn timing could also work. 

No. All loans, including those used to purchase the farm, are unsecured. All lenders are therefore on equal footing. 

We are deep in the design phase – including buildings, energy systems, shared spaces, ecology, and transport. Alongside this, we are shaping the social fabric of the future village: how people, land, and livelihoods will interconnect and thrive. 

Latest update about the planning process and village designs is here: https://www.bowdenpillarsfuture.land/journal/what-weve-been-doing-quietly‍ ‍

Financial support is just one way to contribute. We are actively looking for people to get involved across many areas of the project, both locally and further afield.

No.

We welcome loans from anyone who feels aligned with the project and wants to support it through the next stage.

However, the loan offer may be especially relevant for people who are interested in potentially living in the future village, because lenders will be recognised as contributors and will be considered in the first round of prospective resident assessments.

If the village does not proceed, the project would look to repay outstanding loans through other means, including the possible sale of the farm and surrounding land.

All lenders should understand that loans are unsecured and involve risk.

Interest will continue to accrue until the loan is repaid. All this round of loans are targeted to be repaid, with interest, by 1 May 2028 (approximately two years from now) unless extended by mutual agreement. By that point, we expect to be building the first phase of houses, enabling us to repay both the land-purchase loans and the current planning loans from house sales. 

This is a risk we’re managing carefully. The land itself has significant value – even without village planning permission, the farmyard footprint qualifies for Class Q conversion (barn conversions), allowing up to seven dwellings. The total value of the land — farmyard, bungalow site, and agricultural land — was valued in 2023 at more than our total debt, and land values haven’t decreased since. Although loans are unsecured, we’re confident that, if it came to it, selling the land would be sufficient to repay all lenders. 

No.

Lending does not guarantee a home or a place in the future village.

We are developing a residents’ criteria and housing policy to support a thriving community. Selection for the village will not be based only on financial contribution. We expect a range of types of contributions to be taken into account including time and practical help with all aspects of our work.

Financial lending is a valuable form of contribution. The project also recognises others.

Potentially, yes.

If you become a future resident, your loan can be converted into a housing payment, such as a deposit. This would be discussed and agreed as part of the later resident and housing process.

Please email:

hello@bowdenpillarsfuture.land

Or contact:

Ian Hague: 07932 810 846
Sally Shell: 07900 433 779

We will arrange a conversation and share more information.