Salt Cross Garden Village (SCGV) is a 2,200-home development in Oxfordshire (England) covering 62.86 Ha of land. Comprised of a mix of tenures, with half the dwellings affordable, it is one of the more advanced of the UK Government's 44 'Garden Communities Programme' sites.
<aside> 💡 Adapted from Basic Village Template, outlined in Regen Civics Ep. 3 07.06.22 (Designing structure 1) and Regen Civics Ep. 4 14.06.22 (Designing structure 2) Area Action Plan may be useful!
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SCGV is coordinated as a Distributed Cooperative Organisation (DisCO). Membership and governance make use of the affordances of distributed technologies, in order to lighten administrative load via automation. Active participation in SCGV’s running should not be limited to the time wealthy. Longer-term, participatory governance is incentivised and compensated via a complementary currency. Participatory budgeting fosters literacy and experience in democratic management, and the creation of a local currency facilitates community wealth.
SCGV is organised around principles outlined by the Town and Country Planning Association.
As one of the more advanced of the UK Government's 37 'Garden Communities Programme' sites, Salt Cross will be a beacon of citizen-participation, community-wealth generation and ecological approaches.
Here, we outline how these values are pursued and realised.
Land value capture for the benefit of the community.
As the Salt Cross Garden City Village Trust Community Benefit Society acts as the land’s freeholder, any profits will be cycled within the community—towards local infrastructure and services, and potentially any other causes, as decided by the community. Both the CBS structure and DAO tooling will enable democratic governance and accountability.
Strong vision, leadership and community engagement.
Technical infrastructure and automated processes lighten the bureaucratic load, opening community participation in democratic governance to everyone, and not just the time wealthy.
Participation in delightful and convivial cultural practices is incentivised and compensated, encouraging longer-term investment in SCGV and reducing churn. SCGV will be a pioneering synthesis of these organisational methods and forms in the UK.
Community ownership of land and long-term stewardship of assets.
The Community Benefit Society owns the freehold in trust. An asset lock mechanism enables the long-term protection of assets, and resale covenants ensure affordability in perpetuity. Affordable ownership options will be available to those on low incomes; and rented tenure will be at Affordable Rent.
Mixed-tenure homes and housing types that are genuinely affordable.
1,100 units (50%) of the SCGV homes are affordable. Of these, 40% are affordably owned, 30% are at let at social rents and 30% are let at affordable rents. 105 homes across three clustered neighbourhoods will be reserved for self-builders as per District planning policy.
A wide range of local jobs in the Garden City within easy commuting distance of homes.
A place-based wealth generation approach means a diversity of local companies and jobs will be created. Anything from independent shops to an energy generation company will be community-owned; wealth and profits thus encouraged so circulate locally.
Beautifully and imaginatively designed homes with gardens, combining the best of town and country to create healthy communities, and including opportunities to grow food.
Ecological wellbeing is pursued via a design approach that prioritises passive, ‘fabric-first’ homes. There is no gas infrastructure on site.
Development that enhances the natural environment, providing a comprehensive green infrastructure network and net biodiversity gains, and that uses zero-carbon and energy-positive technology to ensure climate resilience.
SCGV is home to a protected ancient woodland and two heritage conservation sites, to be owned and maintained either by the village trust or an equivalent wildlife trust. Beyond this, net biodiversity commitments have been made; and a further 3.82 ha is reserved for new woodland, allotments and retained/extended hedgerows.
Through using Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, the development will remain accountable in maintaining and improving local biodiversity. Strategy has been developed for habitat retention and creation, pertaining to birds, bats, otters, water voles, great crested newts and badgers. Site clearances will take specific characteristic needs into account. Native broadleaved woodland, orchards, mixed scrub and trees; native, species-rich hedgerows; species-rich wildflower grassland; amenity grassland; and wildlife ponds have all been surveyed and considered in the plan.
Strong cultural, recreational and shopping facilities in walkable, vibrant, sociable neighbourhoods.
With community-owned shops, green space and other facilities, SCGV pursues place-based wealth generation. The CBS is the freeholder, issuing leases via its non-profit sub-bodies. Thus local, independent businesses—whose values also align with those of the garden village—are prioritised. In line with the Oxfordshire Skills Advisory Panel advice, local procurement agreements, apprenticeships, employment / training initiatives for all ages, and school engagement will be made use of.
Integrated and accessible transport systems, with walking, cycling and public transport designed to be the most attractive forms of local transport.
New cycle and foot paths are a key part of the approach to transport at SCGV. Following Oxford Transport Strategy proposals, radial corridors will encourage walking, cycling and bus use. Walking, cycling and public transport connectivity are prioritised which complements the availability of a mix of employment types. Over time, car parking will be reduced and parking spaces will be designed so that they can be repurposed when demand declines.
How we plan and prioritise
tbc
How we learn and evolve
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