OLDER residents are being sought in Droitwich to trial a new housing scheme which has proved popular in Europe at tackling social isolation.
The Lion and Lamb Cohousing scheme will be set in 1.85 acres of beautiful countryside at Bradley Green and is the first of its kind in Wychavon.
It aims to bring like-minded people who are aged 60 and over together to create a supportive and caring community.
The project offers people the opportunity to buy their own home within the development, with two one bedroom properties and eight two bedroom homes available.
They will have joint ownership over shared living and green spaces and together can decide how they are developed.
This could include allotments, greenhouses, a computer room, library, shared lounge and kitchen and even a children’s play area for grandchildren or visitor accommodation.
Residents can still maintain their privacy and independence while having the opportunity to socialise, knowing they have the support of their neighbours.
Two of the properties will be affordable for the benefit of local people and will remain so throughout the lifetime of the development.
Wychavon District Council is supporting the project by helping to form the group that will live in and manage the scheme.
It forms part of Wychavon’s Community Led Housing project, which supports housing schemes offering new ways of meeting affordable housing need in the district by putting local communities at the heart of decision-making.
Cohousing began in Denmark in 1972 and initially spread to Sweden, Netherlands and Germany before sweeping across Europe and then into America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. There are currently 70 schemes in the UK being lived in or in development.
Anyone interested in finding out more about co-housing in general and the Bradley Green scheme can go to a special event from 6pm on Monday, April 29, at Droitwich Spa Community Hall, Heritage Way.
Stephen Gabriel, Wychavon’s head of housing and communities, said: “Cohousing is increasing in popularity and offers like-minded individuals an opportunity to take more control over their living space.
“People can enjoy all the privacy traditional communal housing offers but with the additional social opportunities and the peace of mind they are surrounded by supportive neighbours.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/community-led-housing-fund or call Kim Barton on 01386 565252 for more information.
