In November 2004, six members of Dorscoh, Dorset Cohousing Group, formed a limited company and purchased Cole Street Farm to create a pilot cohousing facility and education centre.

The property comprises a large farmhouse with 7 holiday cottages and 2 large barns for conversion, grouped around a courtyard garden. Following an initial design and costing study, detailed design and other work is now in hand for a planning application in late 2005.
The main elements of the scheme are as follows...

• upgrading the existing holiday cottages and creating new units, to provide a total of 11 residential units
• upgrading the old stone farmhouse to provide shared facilities for residents, plus guest rooms for eco-B&B and workshop participants
• creating an attractive group room in a timber barn, for workshops and events (eg on cohousing, circle dancing, etc) and for use by the local community
• workspace for on-site residents and others
• car pooling and sustainable travel plan
• shared market garden
• a biomass system for heating and hot water

The shared vision for Cole Street Farm is an informal community, living more sustainably in the full sense: personally, as a group, and ecologically. We want to embody sustainable living to nourish our lives and the wider community, and to show it can be done. Important qualities of community for us are:

• Serving something greater than our own needs
• Mutual support
• Shared values and commitments
• Clarity and integrity in how we communicate and relate to each other
• Respect for each other’s autonomy

In addition to the six founding households, there are several others interested in the total 11 units we hope to have available by late 2006. If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch. Shared values, relevant skills to contribute, and some capital are all important; and ideally we would prefer to recruit men, couples and under-50s.

Please contact us also if you would like to take part in a workshop or volunteer programme here, if you would like to make an interest-free loan, or contribute in some other way.

The Threshold Centre is already running workshops on cohousing and other aspects of sustainable living, and offers vegetarian B&B and nurturing breaks in the farmhouse. Great ways to experience life in a fledgling cohousing community: see our website or phone for more information.

For more information, see:

• www.thresholdcentre.org.uk
• Contact Caroline Sharman or Michael Giddings on 01747 821929
• Or email us via our contact form.