What We Do
FAQs'The new park has already given the area a new lease of life.'
Sue, local resident, Phoenix Park
FAQ's
Why is the Land Trust needed?
Although open space in its many forms delivers a multitude of benefits it more often that not represents an ongoing liability to the owner. This may be because of former contamination or just simply in terms of maintenance and management costs.
The Land Trust addresses a simple problem. Over the years, many millions of pounds of public and private money has been spent clearing up derelict and neglected land, but too often maintenance plans don't match the committment of the original clean-up. The huge one-off costs of land restoration have often proven easier to consider than the steady ongoing costs of maintenance, which tends to be an afterthought.
The Land Trust designs and manages sustainable funding solutions in order to guarantee long term maintenance and community engagement, and secure the future of the site in perpetuity.
The Land Trust designs and manages sustainable funding solutions in order to guarantee long term maintenance and community engagement, and secure the future of the site in perpetuity.
Do you provide funding?
No, we do not provide funding.
We source sufficient funds to secure each site in perpetuity - through endowments, grants and other revenue streams. This capital is invested securely, and a nominated amount is released each year to cover the cost of site maintenance, rangers services and special events and activities. This annual sum is paid to our managing agents to maintain open spaces on our behalf.
What is endowment funding?
In basic terms an endowment is a sum of money given to the Trust alongside the ownership of the land. The endowment is added to the Trust's investment portfolio. The interest earned on this investment covers the maintenance of the site in perpetuity.
Are endowments good value?
Endowments represent excellent value for money, and over the long term prove to be much more cost effective than alternative ways of funding.
The total cost of a space managed by endowment may seem higher than others, however, it is important to compare like with like; the figure for an endowment funded project is a final cost whereas a project funded by three, five or twenty years will incur future costs they may even need significant capital costs for future restoration.
Endowment funding represents the best value in the longer term by offering landowners a clean and sustainable exit from the land, removing maintenance liability and protecting the money invested in restoring/creating the space.
Endowment funding represents the best value in the longer term by offering landowners a clean and sustainable exit from the land, removing maintenance liability and protecting the money invested in restoring/creating the space.
Can the endowment be supplemented by other costs?
Yes the endowment can also be supplemented by other income such as:
- Service charges from residents / businesses
- Commercial uses of sites e.g. golf course
- Renewable energy e.g. wind farm
- Rental income e.g. agricultural land
- Others e.g. car parking charges, concessions
How are maintenance costs calculated?
Whether through service charges or an endowment, the Land Trust calculates the long term maintenance cost of the site each year by taking into account:
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Annual site management operations, such as grass cutting
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One off short term costs such as tree establishment, notice boards and barriers
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Capital replacement of site structures such as benches, fences and steps
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Staff costs - rangers services
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Residual environmental risk liability
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The Land Trust's management charge
Why type of spaces will the Land Trust take on?
The Land Trust takes ownership and responsibility for the long term sustainable management of any public open space including, but not exclusively:
- Country parks
- Nature reserves
- Green infrastructure
- Play areas
- Playing fields
- Formerly contaminated or neglected land
We will consider any open space that can address our charitable objectives of improving health, encouraging social cohesion, providing educational resources, creating environmental improvements and enabling communities to thrive through an uplifted economy.
Can I volunteer?
Yes! We welcome individuals, community groups and corporate volunteers on all our sites.
We offer a wide range of opportunities for volunteers across all our sites. Specific activities vary depending on the site and season but might include trimming hedges, clearing paths or building fences.
If you would like to get involved with an existing volunteer programme, or have a great idea for a new project or scheme to benefit your local green space, we would love to hear from you.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities at your local green space, give us a call on 01925 207010, or email enquiries@thelandtrust.org.uk and we'll be delighted to help.
Can the Land Trust help reduce costs?
Yes, when the Trust has been involved with a project early in the planning stages, our expertise has often been able to reduce the restoration cost and redirect the saving to the endowment.
