The Lifetime Community Project have been planning their group's development in detail, and have kindly allowed the cohousing network to make their planning documents available to others. They're in word document format - download via the links below.

Lifetime cohousing brief: includes aims, guiding principles, design plans through to overall expectations - which include 'We expect the built community to remain fit-for-purpose until the day we die!'

Explorer Questionnaire: a detailed question sheet for prospective members.

Finance and cost issues: a document exploring the factors that will determine the best financial model for a project.

Financing models: a table with a breakdown of advantages and disadvantages of different financing models, from housing association to self-financing.

Ownership models: pros, cons and questions about the best ownership model.