I've rung them every week for the last three weeks or so. Today, I finally got a return call to tell me that they want me to write to them to tell them (again!) which bit of land we want to rent, and how we propose to fence it, to keep the livestock in. Subject to that being ok, and them having no objections from the neighbours either side of us, we can rent the land.
We'll get it all into writing and hand deliver it to them this Monday morning. So with a bit of luck, we'll be getting started on the fencing by the beginning of March
If anyone else is struggling to persuade a housing association to rent land, I'd suggest the following.
1) Put everything that you want to do in writing. I emailed my plan, so there is an electronic record of me sending it.
2) Keep records of calls and emails etc.
3) Don't be put off or fobbed off. Give it a month or so, then start ringing them once a week. Vary the days so they don't get used to your Monday or Wednesday call.
4) Don't be afraid to get a local councillor involved (we have) and, if necessary, your MP.
5) Emphasise that you're trying to improve your familys circumstances, to improve the quality of the food you eat and to save some money. Also emphasise that this sort of project can make a housing association look really good on the ticking boxes front!
Good luck to anyone that's struggling, and if I can help anyone, please give me a shout