Frequently Asked Questions

 

How large is the project?

We have a 10 acres and have applied for planning permission for 32 detached and semi-detached houses all with private gardens, a large Common House and 5 garages. The site has communal areas, space for food growing and we have already planted 1500 trees.

How is ownership structured?
 

Each home will be privately owned. The communal house and the rest of the site will be owned and managed by Portaferry Cohousing Ltd which is owned equally by the members of the project. We are not a Housing Association and we do not provide social housing.

Is it possible to rent?


The properties will be for sale. Some members of the group may purchase a house and rent it out privately. It would be good to have some houses to rent, so that they would be available for people who are enthusiastic to be part of the project but cannot raise a mortgage.

How much will the houses cost?

It is too early to give a reliable estimate. Cohousing homes typically cost more than other new homes because they include generous common facilities and incorporate environmentally sustainable features that cost more in the short run, although they pay off over time. We envisage the majority of the houses being in clusters, built to Passive House standards and as sustainable a build as is practicable. A typical new build 3-bed terraced house in Portaferry markets at around 130-140k; we are aiming for around £150k including a share of the communal house and green areas (2023 prices).

Are there any up-front payments?


There is a cost of £1k to become a member of Portaferry Cohousing which reserves a site on the development. People are welcome to come to meetings without becoming members. A further deposit is required before construction commences.

What about self build?

We will have some serviced self build sites available for purchase, allowing people to build their own home while also having a share of the communal areas. Self builds will need to be in a similar style as the rest of the houses.

What is the governance structure?


The project is run through meetings which all members are entitled to attend. Decision making is by consensus, we seek to reach solutions that are acceptable to all. 

What are the advantages of cohousing? 


Being part of a cohousing project has its challenges; decision making by consensus can be a slow process and managing a large site like ours will take time and effort from everyone. However, we believe it is worth the effort. For an insightful summary of some advantages, see this article from The Conversation.

Will there be activities organised in the communal house? 


Often birthdays and social gatherings are held in the communal house. It may be possible to use the space to hold small events or classes that members could offer, such as yoga or meditation. Most cohousing groups have a communal meal once or more a week. It is an opportunity to spend time together and have conversation with our neighbours. Typically, the meal would be prepared by a team of 2-4 people who would rotate from week to week.

What if I don’t get on with someone else?


Communication is at the core of how we work together and our commitment would be to resolve any issues as they occur. Experience from the many other successful cohousing projects has shown that if you have a minimum size of 12 households the community can absorb not everybody being best friends. 

How are people selected to join the project? 


New members are expected to come to meetings for three months to become familiar with how we work and to see if they are compatible. We are open to all kinds of people joining our project as we fully embrace diversity and equality.

What are the schooling options in Portaferry?


There are nearby schooling options for all age groups. 

Nursery:
Portaferry Pre-School Playgroup
St Mary’s Nursery Unit

Primary:
St Mary’s Primary school
Portaferry Integrated Primary school

Secondary:

St Columba’s College, Portaferry

Strangford Integrated College, Carrowdore
Pupils from Portaferry also commute to grammar schools in Newtownards and Downpatrick

How regular/accessible are public transport links to and from Portaferry?


There are regular bus services to Newtownards, and the ferry to Strangford runs for 16 hours a day, from where there is a bus service to Downpatrick.

Will I have my own kitchen?


Yes, each residence will have it’s own private kitchen. Usually the private residences in a cohousing project will be smaller than the average house because members have access to the communal facilities, but each will be fully self-contained.

How do I learn more about CoHousing?


Websites

  • Cohousing in Britain: A Diggers and Dreamers Review. Eds. Sarah Bunker, Chris Coates, Martin Field and Jonathan How (2011). D&D Publications

  • Low Impact Living: A field guide to ecological, affordable community giving by Paul Chatterton (2015) Earthscan, Routledge.

  • Many Voices One Song: Shared Power with Sociocracy by Ted J. Rau and Jerry Koch-Gonzalez (2018) Sociocracy For All. www.sociocracyforall.org

  • Small is necessary: shared living on a shared planet by Anitra Nelson (2018) Pluto Press

  • We the People Consenting to a Deeper Democracy: A Guide to Sociocratic Principles and Methods by John Buck and Sharon Villines (2012) Sociocracy Info.

  • Wisdom of Communities: resources and stories about creating and exploring intentional community Vol 1-4. The Fellowship of Intentional Community (2018) Vol 1: Starting a Community, Vol 2: Finding a Community, Vol 3: Communication in Community, Vol 4: Sustainability in Community