Welcome to the first Leeds Ecovillage Newsletter.

We aim to build a sustainable mixed community in the heart of Leeds, and possibly in south Leeds. The homes will be permanently affordable and built to the highest ecological design standards. We will use the well established model of co-housing and in our first phase we aim to build about 20 homes, housing 50 people. We are using this model because of the social and environmental benefits that come from sharing, particularly in improving quality of life, reducing consumption of scarce resources, and avoiding harm to the environment.

What sets us apart from some other 'eco' projects (like eco-towns) is that we're small scale and committed to democratic and cooperative practices. It will be founded on a Community Land Trust (CLT) and a Mutual Home Ownership Scheme (MHOS) (see below), so that the homes we create will stay affordable forever. We plan to engage with our host neighbourhood in diverse ways.

We are currently finalising our business plan, talking to Leeds City Council about land, setting up a co-operative company to manage the project, and will have a next wave of membership in a few months.

So what is a CLT and a MHOS?

A CLT (Community Land Trust) is a mechanism for the democratic ownership of land by the local community. Land is taken out of the market so that the impact of land appreciation is removed, enabling long-term affordable and sustainable local development. The value of the land is captured in perpetuity, underpinning the sustainable development of a defined locality or community.

A MHOS is registered as a co-operative controlled by its members who are the residents and live in the homes it provides. Each member has a lease which gives them the right to democratically control the housing community they live in. Members pay an equity stake to the co-operative and retain equity in the scheme.

What's coming up?

Over the coming months we will be organizing workshops open to all which will help us develop our ideas. Future plans include workshops on building with straw, hemp and lime and visits to other projects! Check out the website for more information.

Leeds Eco-village monthly open meetings are held at 7pm at the Common Place in Leeds city centre. The full list of upcoming meetings are at the top of our website.

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