SOMA Housing Co-Op News

October 2020

One victim of the COVID lockdown was Project SID. The owner changed his mind about the sale and as a consequence David and Mark began work on an alternative project, which we'll call PLAN B for now. Essential research into other properties with potential for SOMA to develop as homes and other spaces for members.

A short list of empty pubs and other properties around Oxfordshire was put together. The one which they are promoting is an old pub on at Cullham, on the A415 a couple of miles outside Abingdon. The property includes the main building which is pretty old with a couple of extensions that have been added later. The additions include a single storey kitchen, external storage units and a garage. Additionally there is a large asphalt covered car park and two large paddocks surrounded by trees.

The next tasks include putting the new plan to the Management Committee at the next meeting. This may be difficult with the pandemic instilled restrictions on people meeting up. However, if Plan B is accepted the next task is to establish who owns the property and whether it is for sale, or not. And if it is what value does the owner put on it ? The hope is that our professional colleagues and supporters in the community will also back Plan B.