This is the news that every developing cohousing project wants to share with all its supporters. WE HAVE STARTED TO MOVE INTO OUR NEW HOMES!!
August 2022 will go down in the history of BC as one of its most exciting months for members, especially those members who have been working to help bring the project to fruition for over 13 years.
Members who have been allocated houses in the Eastern terrace have started to move into their gorgeous eco homes and are absolutely delighted (even though they are now living in a building site which is not due to be completely handed over until spring 2023.
The terraces are being released one at a time, starting with the 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses that are being sold at 80% of their full market value. Because BC wanted to make all the homes affordable, this is a complicated project with 3 different tenures. BC is the owner of the freehold of all the land and has partnered with BCHA (Bournemouth Churches Housing Association) who have used grant funding for 13 homes which are being sold through the government Help To Buy scheme at between 25% and 75% of market value. Twenty six of the homes will be rented by BCHA for a social rent and only available for people on the Dorset housing register (who must have gone through the BC membership process). We have a local letting policy in place which enables the allocation of these homes in a fair and transparent way. Six of the rented 2 bed houses are specifically for NHS staff and we are working with the matron of the neighbouring community hospital to find staff who will benefit from a secure rental and also be willing to fit in with the cohousing way of life.
The landscaping of the 7 acre site has been carefully considered and will feature a newly planted orchard, productive street trees that will provide fruits and nuts for people and wildlife, and a system of planted swales to manage water run-off from the site.
(Getting ready to plant the orchard – many hands make light work.)
Residents will be able to grow some of their own food in community vegetable beds behind all the houses and cars will be kept to the periphery, giving safe streets for children to play and adults to walk. An electric car club and bike sharing scheme is planned for the development to cut down car ownership for residents and the associated costs of keeping a car on the road.
Bridport Cohousing will become the largest cohousing project in the UK to date, with the biggest community microgrid on site. This is an amazing achievement for a local community-led development. Most of the properties have now been allocated to members but there are still one or two houses available for rent though BCHA, and some have been specifically set aside for local NHS workers, who find the cost of private rental in Bridport prohibitively expensive.
Details can be found on our website:
(aerial view of the development showing solar arrays on rooftops)
One member who has moved into her new home this month says
‘’The people I have come to know, whilst all different, share in common kindness. Everybody who has been involved in the success of this project has done so for more than just themselves. We have all worked hard as volunteers, doing what we can, if and when we are able, supporting each other along the way, and now the ideas are literally being built up from the ground, proving the amazing strength and ability we have, when we come together in community.’’
There is still work to be done. Members of Bridport Cohousing are currently working on raising money for, and building, a common house within the next year or so. Because we understand the value of social glue and sharing food, we have purchased a second hand yurt from a local family business and will use that for meetings and some food sharing. If it proves to be too small to accommodate members, as more and more households take up residence, we will continue to hire a local hall, which is what we currently do.
We continue to take on new members and are building up a waiting pool for the new homes, as there is high demand for these lovely houses and flats. Our hope is that once we have settled in we can demonstrate a more sustainable model of living in community and sharing resources, inspiring other people to start to develop their own plans. There is a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment involved, but when it all comes together and makes a significant difference to peoples’ lives it is so worthwhile!