Forgebank – Environmental cohousing project Jan Maskell Director of Process Lancaster Cohousing

Forgebank What is environmental cohousing? A little history... Main aspects of our project

What is environmental cohousing? Eco-homes –Low environmental impact during both building and use; long life-span –Using standards such as Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) and/or ‘PassivHaus’ Cohousing –Private homes (smaller than average) –Communal facilities, including ‘common house’

A little history...

Ecoarc Award winning chartered architects committed to sustainable design Specialising in carbon neutral ecological architecture, eco building and sustainable design

Halton site

Main Project Features 41 eco-homes –35 within cohousing group; 6 at edge of site –Super-insulated; use of renewable energy Office and workshop space Communal facilities –Shared indoor and outdoor space Travel plan Inclusive organisational structure Community links

Eco-Houses Built to ‘PassivHaus’ standard –South-facing to maximise solar energy input –Super-insulated, including triple-glazing –90% less energy consumption than average UK house –Airtight and sealed to retain heat Materials (for example) –Walls: recycled concrete blocks; cavity filled with recycled glass-wool –Roofs: clay tiles; wood insulation –Wood from sustainable sources

Renewable energy Low energy consumption to be met through: –Hydro-electric generator (separate project) –Solar photo-voltaic panels –Wood chip boiler and solar thermal panels for hot water and heating –Some dependent on government funding

Workspace Existing ‘Mill’ building –Allows residents and other local people to work close to home –Energy efficiency improvements 15 offices/ studios/ workshops

Indoor communal facilities Common house –Shared vegetarian meals several times a week –General social space Guest rooms –Allows residents to opt for smaller houses Laundry Children’s room Storage for food, bikes etc

Outdoor communal facilities 6 acre site Food growing areas Woodland and areas for wildlife Leisure uses

Travel Plan Aim: To reduce travel and prioritise environmentally-friendly options Workspace close by Facilities to support cycling, walking, use of public transport Car share scheme –Approx 1 car per 3 households –Cars at edge of site

Inclusive organisational structure Not-for-profit company –All households are members Consensus decision-making processes –Monthly General Meetings 7 Directors oversee the project –Project manager + professional team –All members contribute 2-3 hours a week to communal work

Community links Part of Halton Carbon Positive Ongoing links with Parish Council and Community Centre Potential for local employment in Mill offices/ workshops

Who is in the project? Mixture of Lancaster residents and people from further afield Ages from 2 months to retired Range of backgrounds

Organisational Structure

Where have we got to? Lancaster Cohousing Where have we got to? Land purchased July 2009 Planning docs prep Oct – March 2010 Planning permission July 2010 Prepare tender docs June – July 2010 Preferred contractor decided Sept 2010 Working drawings developed Sept - Dec 2010 Contractor pricing works Nov – Dec 2010 Negotiation with contractor Jan 2011 Appoint contractor Feb 2011 Negotiations with the bank Jan July 2011 Loan agreed July 2011 Construction began Aug 2011 Leases signed Dec 2011