Countryside co-housing near Frome

ARE you interested in a new type of countryside living? People with enthusiasm, energy and capital are required for an exciting co-housing project near Frome, offering a new way of life in a community of private homes clustered around a shared space.

It’s the idea of local woman, Anna Fraenkel. “Initially the plan is for 6/8 houses in a community of private homes clustered around shared space,” she said. “Each attached or family home would have traditional amenities while the shared spaces may feature a common house, which may include a large kitchen and dining area, and recreational space. Shared outdoor space may include parking, walkways, open space, and gardens. Neighbours would share resources.

“Households would have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbours would collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. 

“Cohousing facilitates everyday interaction among neighbours and social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits. It also, encourages mutual support and care between residents, improving health and well being. 

“This form of community-driven life and design can improve older people’s sense of general wellbeing, living in their own homes longer, and ageing within the community. This is not about affordable housing, but is about a stylish and economic way of improving our lives, exchanging support in old age and developing a community.

“There is a slowly growing trend for ‘co-housing’ which recreates the traditional village. Unfortunately, in my experience of villages these days, people can live on the other side of the wall for many years without knowing each other’s names. So, the idea is of living in fairly close proximity to the people you want to be near, to share ‘stuff’, food, worries, services, gardening, tools, chat, friendship and other aspects of life, yet retain privacy.”

If you’re interested please contact annade sign@btinternet.com for further details.