Forge Bank :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2006

This page last updated:6/28/2012

Forge Bank

Halton, Lancaster,

United Kingdom

(LA2 6FD)

We have almost built our 41 eco homes within a cohousing community on riverside land we bought in August 2009. We were granted planning permission in July 2010 and expect to complete the build by end 2012. We have sold 37 homes as of June 2012.

We are creating an intergenerational cohousing community in Halton, near Lancaster, that will encourage social interaction and will be built on ecological values. It will include 35 houses and flats, and have community facilities and workshop/office space. The development is close to central Lancaster by road or riverside cyclepath, so residents have easy access to the city's amenities. The site comprises 3 ha of land which will be cultivated using permaculture principles. Six of the homes three of which are still available) are built to the same high environmental standard as the rest, and are freehold rather than leasehold and an option for neighbourhood membership is being explored.

The community will be built on ecological values. We have designed the homes to the PassivHaus standard, which was developed in Germany, and will mean the homes' heating bills will be only 10% of those of a conventional home. We are also aiming for as many of the homes as possible to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level Six. This will require a renewable energy contribution from the 220kW hydro scheme being developed by our partners Halton Lune Trust. We will also make use of a biomass boiler to provide a district heating system.

These are high standards, and achieving the target will be hard, but we are committed to making Forge Bank a cutting edge example of sustainable design. The homes will also be designed to facilitate spontaneous social interaction supporting a full neighbourly community. The development will comprise properties that will be of interest to a range of household sizes and incomes, from one-bedroomed flats to three-bedroomed houses. The cost of social space and eco-build will be balanced against affordability constraints.

The project is a cutting-edge example of sustainable design and living. It will act as a catalyst and inspiration for significant improvements in the sustainability of new development, and will have close links to the wider Lancaster community.

Follow our progress on Facebook ("Lancaster Cohousing at Forge Bank") or Twitter (http://twitter.com/lancastercoho).

Website: http://lancastercohousing.org.uk

Contact:

Lancaster Cohousing
LA2 6FD United Kingdom

International Telephone Info

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

Lancaster Cohousing Review of 2011

See more Videos from Forge Bank

Former/Other Names: Lancaster Cohousing

This page last updated:6/28/2012

Visitors Not Accepted

Network Affiliations:

The UK Cohousing Network

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: Yes (Directors)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: No Labor Contribution: Expected (Three hours per week) Join Fee: Yes (£30 provisional member; £5000 full membership, plus 30% or target house price within 6 weeks of joining) Regular Fees: Yes (annual administration fee of approx £200)
Land and Buildings Small Town Area: 7.4 acres (3.0 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 35 (33 sold as of February 2012) Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (We are still planning how we are going to do this) Share Community Meals: Nearly all dinners Dietary Choice or Restrictions: There are some dietary restrictions (The first three shared meals of the week are vegan, others are vegetarian. members can bring cooked meat to vegetarian meals.) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegan Alcohol Use: Used Often Tobacco Use: Seldom used	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Educational Style(s): Public schooled (i.e. UK State Schooled)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Own Site

(Planning permission granted July 2010)

Year Completed:

2012

(Aimed completion September 2012)

Number of Units:

Square Feet in Common House:

2000

(plus other outbuidings)

Architect:

Ecoarc

Developer:

Community Developed

Commercial Lender:

Triodos Bank

Become an Editor Current editor(s): westcomb, imcculloch

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