Latest revision date: 15 February 2017, First Publication Date: 1 February 2006

Springhill Cohousing is near the centre of Stroud in Gloucestershire. It is the first new-build cohousing scheme to be completed in the UK. There are 34 units, ranging from one bedroomed flats to five bedrooomed houses. There is a three-storey common house with a kitchen where meals are cooked and served three times a week - other shared meals and community-based social activities happen there too. Springhill Cohousing has been recognised by The Deputy Prime Minister's Award for making an "outstanding contribution" to Sustainable Communities. "The pedestrianised 'main street' meanders around the site parallel with the contours, creating a characterful village feel".
See page 10 of government press release for more details.

If you wish to visit Springhill then please contact our visitor coordinator at:
visit @ gl51tn.co.uk [omit the spaces].
More information is available on our "properties" page. Details of a previous Experience Cohousing weekend

Springhill Cohousing has also received the 2006 Eurosolar UK Award for inspiring renewable energy projects. The judges commented "The dedication by the group to achieving the vision is much to be admired. This community demonstrates the important link between renewable energy and sustainable living."

Springhill has also been featured:

• in the Guardian
• in the Daily Telegraph
• by the Countryside Agency
• in David Pearson's 'Designing your Natural Home'
• in the Green Shop's natural paint catalogues
• and in numerous TV news pieces

Springhill Cohousing is a 5 minute walk to local services in Stroud Town Centre and an easy 10 minute walk to the mainline train service to Swindon and Paddington (1hr 40mins).

History

David Michael bought the site in Stroud on 4th September 2000. David formed the Cohousing Company Ltd and invited new householders to become directors and transferred ownership of the site to the company. As managing director, he managed the finances, legal agreements, recruited members and coordinated the project. Plots were 30% pre-sold (to members) before we completed on the land purchase in April 2001. The site received detailed planning permission for 35 houses/flats on 12th June 2001. Building work started on August 5th 2002. The first residents moved in in the summer and autumn of 2003. The original design was based on and informed by the 2 books, Cohousing by McCamant and Durrett and The Pattern Language by Alexander.
The site and the houses were designed by Architype.

What is Cohousing?

Cohousing is a housing community where the cars are parked on the periphery, freeing pedestrian space for community members of all ages; where each household has a self-contained house and people have the opportunity to eat together and meet regularly in a large communal house. The original members had a say in the design of the community and decision making is by consensus, where possible. The buildings are well-insulated, timber-framed, low polluting and energy saving in design, many of them have photo-voltaic panels on the roof generating electricity.

We believe that people need community and privacy. Cohousing is a way for people to live together so that they can have as much community and privacy as they want. The concept is simple and immediately comprehensible. It is the way forward for human beings to live together in a safe, independent and caring neighbourhood. It is a revolution that is beginning now. We will no longer just choose a new house when we move, we will join a new community.

Cohousing started in Denmark in the 1970's. Possibly as many as 1% of the Danish population now live in Cohousing! It is becoming popular in other European countries and in the USA where there are many cohousing communities and more starting. The term cohousing was coined by Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett in their book Cohousing, a contemporary approach to modern living, first published in 1994.

Contact us

Lots of people are interested in cohousing - that's great. We ask that people respect our homes and do not arrive here without contacting us first. If you are seriously interested in moving to Springhill, then look at the houses for sale and to rent page, where you will find details of our "interested" list and how to arrange a visit.

Getting in touch with Springhill Cohousing

All queries about individual properties to the owners please. Contact details are shown on our "properties" page.
If you would like to put your name on the Interested list, or wish to enquire about the process then please contact our new members coordinator by email. The address is:
interested @ gl51tn.co.uk
[omit the spaces].

If you wish to visit Springhill then please contact our visitor coordinator at:
visit @ gl51tn.co.uk
[omit the spaces].