PHOENIX COHOUSING LEWES
THE STORY SO FAR
September 2021
Human Nature presented their vision for the Phoenix brownfield site on the southeast side of Lewes town. Historically, this was an ironworks site but over the past years had fallen into disrepair, and previous plans to build residential homes on the site had proven to be unviable. Human Nature created an environmentally sustainable and ambitious project for up to 700 homes. Among the ideas they presented at this meeting were recycled building bricks using waste from the site, vertical gardens, cycle paths, a new cycle/pedestrian bridge over the River Ouse, a river walkway, and extensive flood defences.
Many of the current cohousing group attended this presentation and were inspired by the extent and scope of the project, which attempts to address energy reduction, water capturing, unemployment and housing issues in the town. The scheme also includes 30% affordable homes.
Over the course of the following year, Human Nature held regular meetings with Lewes residents, consulting on themes such as design, transport, and community.
October 2022
The organisation AirS (Action in Rural Sussex) and Community Led Housing held a meeting for people interested in the inclusion of a cohousing block within the development. Initially this block was to house between 30 to 40 units, but most people in the group favoured a smaller block with roughly 25 to 30 units. Fifty residents in units of a mixed tenure is the maximum recommended by the Confederation of Co-operative Housing in order to make a cohesive group.
February 2023
Our group met with Blase Lambert of the Confederation of Co-operative Housing to clarify the cohousing's aims and objectives.
April 2023
We held an introductory session for new prospective members.
May 2023
In order to progress with the project, we established seven working circles. These include legal, finance, external communications, design, group dynamics, social and fundraising. All our members take part in at least one group.
June 2023
Our membership agreement was finalised.
Visit to New Ground cohousing in High Barnett.
July 2023
We visited Marmalade Lane cohousing.
October 2023
Using sociocracy rules, we elected our officers.
November 2023
We held our first shared meal in the Community Kitchen, and it was a great success!
December 2023
We registered as a Cooperative Society - Phoenix Cohousing Lewes - with around 20 members.
January 2024
We opened a bank account with the Coop Bank.
February 2024
We were delighted that planning permission was finally granted to Human Nature for the Phoenix site.
June 2024
We agreed on the MHOS housing model as a way to create a fair and affordable community.
July 2024
We were awarded a grant by the Sussex Community Foundation to help us explore MHOS further. We took the decision to look for another plot for the cohousing project as MHOS would not be feasible on the Phoenix development site.
Vision workshop
"I am hoping the cohousing will be a place to share not only our things and our time but also our giving hearts. I joined the cohousing group to reduce my impact on the earth more than I am able to in my current home and I want to live in a sharing community where we look out for each other.”
Bridgeen
Visit to Bridport cohousing
"As young people, we have trialled various community living options in our search for an affordable place to live and start a family. This scheme looks to be our dream solution as we deepen our roots in this beautiful town after 15 years in the area."
Louis
Visit to New Ground cohousing
"I think there could be power for good which spreads out to the wider world if we can build a community whose members have developed deep trusting and understanding relationships. The world needs a new model not only in sustainability but also in how to live together with mutual acceptance and positive loving intentions towards each other. A big ask, but if no one aims high, nothing will change." Pat
