Upper Saxondale Residents’ Association
(USRA)

History and role of USRA

The Upper Saxondale Residents’ Association (USRA) was established in 2003 as an informal grouping of local residents at the time that our development was created by David Wilson Homes (DWH). After the development was completed, DWH transferred some of its land at Upper Saxondale to USRA, with conditions attached. This land was held by a number of local residents as trustees, on behalf of USRA.

USRA, through volunteers, improved the land, created the woodland walk, fruit orchard and forest garden, extended the village hall and organised many events for local residents.

The USRA trustees decided that a specific legal entity should be created to hold the land and manage the finances so the Upper Saxondale Community Interest Company (UScic) was created in 2012. Latterly, USRA and UScic combined to become known as USRAcic.

The standard ‘articles of association’ of USRAcic provided a governance framework in areas such as meetings, appointment of directors, delegation of authority and membership. Membership of USRAcic was the equivalent of being a shareholder in a normal limited company and confined to local residents.

To generate income to help fund maintaining and developing the environment at Upper Saxondale, including the hall, tennis courts, woodland walk and fruit orchard, members paid a £5 monthly subscription per household. This also entitled members to use the tennis courts and to become members of the Lawn Tennis Association.

Creation of Upper Saxondale Parish Council (USPC)

USRAcic led a campaign for the creation of a separate parish council for Upper Saxondale, with the aim that the parish council would take over USRAcic’s role. Secure funding would be provided though the parish council precept part of council tax. This campaign was successful and Upper Saxondale Parish Council came into being in May 2023, at which point subscriptions to USRAcic were discontinued.

USRAcic’s asssets were transferred to USPC, and in March 2025 USRAcic was formally wound up.

DWH has also transferred further land at Upper Saxondale to USPC.