Who are DORSCOH?

We are a network of individuals wanting to create and live in cohousing projects in Dorset. The network has been meeting since 2002. Many of its members already live in Dorset: some have capital to buy a property, some are eligible for social housing.Six Dorscoh members have already established the Threshold Centre, near Gillingham in North Dorset. The Threshold Centre runs popular weekend workshops on Cohousing and has received widespread media attention.

Dorscoh is working in conjunction with the Rural Renewal Company - a social enterprise company aiming to create super sustainable developments, which support the social and economic vitality of rural towns and urban communities. We are also working closely with Synergy, the largest housing association in Dorset, as our preferred social housing provider. We are currently seeking to extend our contacts with sympathetic local authorities and site owners, to expand our membership of potential residents in Dorset, and to increase the number of active members in our Steering Group and Resource Group.

Features of the DORSCOH project

Dorscoh are seeking to create a cohousing scheme in Dorset within the next 3 years. Whilst the scale and facilities would be tailored to the site and surrounding community, the typical target features would include:

• 20-40 units of housing: built to Ecohomes Excellent as a minimum, and aiming for zero emissions. Unit sizes would range from 1-room studios to family houses.
• A high level of social housing provision, both rental and shared ownership. Both Synergy and the Housing Corporation regard cohousing as a highly beneficial new form of social housing provision.
• Community market garden: space on site or within an easy walk where both cohousing residents and others can grow food.
• Guest accommodation would be provided for educational visitors, eco-tourism, and residents.
• Workspaces: small office and studio spaces with support services where possible.
• Community facilities: the project would provide a range of facilities and services for the whole of the host community: such as a car club, playgroup, special interest groups, and the community market garden.
• Education programmes: these would range from short guided tours through weekend workshops to longer internships. The experience of other cohousing projects has shown there is high demand for such programmes.

A key aim of the project is to provide substantial social and economic benefits to the surrounding community also. Our target location is Bridport, Weymouth and Portland.

For further information, see our website or contact us via the contact link above.