9 April 2013
A group of women is aiming to deliver the UK’s first co-housing scheme designed for older people.
The Older Women’s Co-Housing Group (OWCG) – which has around 20 members aged between 55 and 80, almost all of whom live alone – wants to make the Union Street Project, earmarked for High Barnet in North London, a reality.
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The proposed development will feature 25 one, two and three-bedroom flats, with the aim of creating a well-designed, low-energy building suitable for meeting the needs of people in older age.
Maria Brenton, OWCG consultant, said: “Co-housing has been seen as an answer in many continental countries, as one part of the repertoire in response to societies aging. The policy in the Netherlands, for example, has been to encourage and promote co-housing communities as a means of keeping people active, healthy and happy and, therefore, to reduce spending on health and social care. Local authorities in this country have gone as far as promoting day centres for similar purposes, but they haven’t gone as far as recognising the co-housing model yet.”
The OWCH has worked closely with architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, on the design of the homes. Workshops on topics such as energy systems and heating have been held, all to help members of the OWCH feel fully involved.
The £7m development would sit on the redundant site of St Martha’s Convent Junior School, which covers approximately two-thirds of an acre. The land was purchased by developers Hanover Housing for an undisclosed sum, although typical land prices in the area are around £2million an acre.
Eight of the 25 flats will be reserved for social rental, the landlord for these being Housing for Women, a small housing association. “The remainder would be available for group members to purchase individually, together with the purchase of a share of the planned common house”, Ms Brenton added.
Prices for the finished properties are unavailable but similar two-bedroom flats close to the site have been valued at £275,000.
It is hoped that work would start in the Autumn, with completion by late 2015. The project won planning approval in early April.
