7 October 2015
An affordable self build cohousing project for London families has been earmarked for north Westminster.
{TEASER}
The London Community Neighbourhood Co-operative (LCNC) has identified a site where it hopes to develop an eco-community that will form part of a larger sustainable neighbourhood.
The proposed scheme will see a mixture of one to four-bedroom high-density homes built with straw bales that will sit alongside a community centre, allotments, educational facilities, workspaces and guest accommodation for visitors. It is also hoped that the community will have its own eco-energy and water supply. And the aim of the scheme is to provide a training ground for self builders to learn about alternative forms of construction while building their own homes.
The homes will be for rental purposes with the LCHC owning the finished properties. And they will be affordable – with the idea that the cost of rent be no more than one third of the average north Westminster income.
LCNC spokesperson Leslie Barson said: “There is space for our proposals at the site but it’s largely infill so we may not be able to achieve all that we visualise in one location. It’s a lot to ask – but we want to reclaim Westminster for ordinary people.”
A formal approach to Westminster City Council to secure the site has yet to be made – however if the land is secured and the plans proves viable then it is hoped that work could start on site during 2017.
