Amber Valley · Derbyshire
A place of quiet,
natural richness.
Amber Valley Community Land Trust permanently protects ecologically significant land in Derbyshire — held in community ownership, for wildlife and people, for ever.
What We Do
Land protected for ever, not just for now.
We acquire and permanently protect land of ecological and historic significance across Amber Valley and the wider North East Derbyshire area.
We exist so local people can protect the places they know, love and depend on - before they are lost.
Unlike planning designations or conservation covenants, CLT ownership is a property right - it cannot be revoked by policy change or overridden by institutional failure. Land we hold stays protected for the benefit of the community permanently.
Why It Matters
A landscape that took centuries to form.
Ancient and irreplaceable
The Amber valley is home to ancient alder woodland, veteran trees, riparian habitat, wildflower meadows and species-rich hedgerows that have taken centuries to establish. These places are not replaceable.
A pioneering model
We are one of fewer than ten conservation-focused Community Land Trusts in England — a genuinely pioneering model that puts ecological land protection on the same permanent legal footing as community housing.
Property rights, not policy
Designations can be revoked. Planning policies can be overridden. CLT ownership is a property right embedded in our registered rules. It does not depend on the decisions of future governments or planners.
Community owned
The land we protect belongs to the community, governed by an elected board and held under an asset lock that prevents disposal for private gain — regardless of future financial pressure.
"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."
Aldo Leopold
