meeting minutes
mish
Minutes of a meeting at ASH Co-op, 1 Feb 2007
Present:
Mike Tabrett (ASH), Lauren Levine (ASH), Tom Lord (ASH), Michael
Nashvili (ASH), Ali Hunte (Paradise), Bev Woolmer (Enlinca), Karen
Robertson (Paradise), Nicky Smith (Paradise), Robert Copcutt (Enlinca),
Francis Irving, Andy Tompkins (ASH), Hannah Fenton (Paradise), George
Cole (ASH), Mark Wainwright (ASH), Liz Fearon (ASH), Amanda OReilly,
Lisanne Doran, Ceri Galloway, Daniel Zeichner
Current directions
Those present include people from two Co-ops (ASH and Paradise) and a
co-housing organisation, Enlinca. There was some discussion about how
co-housing differs from co-operatives or what makes something
specifically a co-op. Co-ops often have shared housing, but need not;
often are fully mutual with members renting their accommodation, but can
have houses owned by members. The essential feature of a co-op is that
it identifies as one and accepts the 7 co-operative principles,
including democratic control by its members.
Mike spoke about ASH. It is a fully mutual co-op with 85 members. It has
its own development programme, other groups do too, so it seems sensible
to talk to each other. Development for ASH includes the option of
extending or improving the existing site but we also hope to achieve
off-site development of new co-ops. Since September ASH has set aside
worker time for development, which has led to significant progress.
Robert introduced Enlinca, a cohousing organisation. The ideal of
cohousing is a community of 80 or so, with a mix of tenures (rented and
owned), with private (i.e. not shared) housing and a common house for
community use. Its based on our tribal instincts which make us function
well in fairly small, close communities. Enlinca is planning its first
community.
Paradise is interested in development too but very small (11 members).
It was noted that there were other people present, not currently members
of any co-op, but who would be interested in being part of a new one.
Models
Mike said that there was a sense at ASH that people would like another
fully mutual co-op, but are open to other ideas. Robert said that
several people at Enlinca would own their home in a new co-housing
development, but not all. Environmental sustainability is particularly
important to Enlinca. Hannah from Paradise was interested in the talk by
Charlie Baker at the conference Housing co-ops in Cambridge: the future
about mixed-tenure co-ops, and wondered if such a co-op could satisfy
both co-op and co-housing people.
Ceri thought a truly sustainable community development should include
non-residential land, e.g. a cafe or work space. Mark said that the idea
of a Community Land Trust (one of the models ASH is looking at) could
incorporate this idea.
Several people were also interested in setting up small co-ops (or,
Michael suggested, extending ASH) by buying one or two existing houses.
These would be smaller but quicker to set up than a large new
development.
Working together
>From ASH: Andy said that we should use this meeting to work together;
ASH needed to decide how to do this with outside groups and people. Mike
said he only wanted to network and keep in contact with each other.
>From Enlinca, Robert said that something that had come across from Helen
Russells talk at the conference in November was that groups increase in
power by getting together. Enlinca have found that land and planning
permission are the biggest hurdles; if we present a united front to
planners, etc it will increase our chances. The big developers are so
powerful that if you're to get anything at all, you cant be too fussy.
Several people not from any group pointed out that they were keen to get
involved in getting a new co-op off the ground. Andy asked how we would
engage new people. Bev thought we should all pull together as one group.
Nicky pointed out that this could be open to people not currently in
co-ops. Ali didn't think forming a new group would necessarily be
helpful.
Tom said that ASH has recently set up a wiki (editable website), part of
which is to record knowledge about offsite development. Its important to
share knowledge, otherwise it gets lost. We could set up this or
something similar as a shared space for all interested.
Finance and logistics
ASH is looking into working in partnership with a large development
organisation (such as BCHS or CDS, both of which have experience
developing co-ops) which have expertise in raising the finance needed to
develop new housing. Enlinca have several members who are current
homeowners and would be able to buy units in a new mixed-tenure
development.
Karen pointed out that we don't have the expertise among ourselves to
know the steps involved: talking to councils, architects, contractors,
lenders or grant-awarding bodies etc. Mike pointed out that that's why
ASH is looking into working in partnership with a larger organisation.
For a smaller project, e.g. buying one house and putting a co-op in it,
the logistics are much easier.
Land
Ceri talked about land coming up. The recent Local Plan entails
development on the southern fringe of the city, including Clay Farm in
Trumpington. It belongs to the City. Development on it will have 40%50%
affordable housing. Now is the time to get involved and talk to them.
Only 10% of new development is mandated to be carbon neutral, but at
least some people the Council are keen to do better than that with the
part that is their land. There's outline planning permission but it is
still possible to comment.
Robert said Enlinca had written a proposal to the Council as a result of
which theyve written a set-aside for potential eco-friendly houses into
the plan for Clay Farm. But Countryside Properties as the lead developer
will build the roads and infrastructure so well be constrained by what
they do, and also they will want to build 80%90% of the property. We
should come together as one voice to put pressure on the Council.
Robert also mentioned a site near the football ground, which has
advantages though it would involve pulling down existing houses, and a
rural site in Lode where he is close to a deal with the owner but there
is a question about planning permission. There are also three properties
coming up near the end of Mill Road. Mike said there are a fair number
of sites, and mentioned the Marshalls Airport site. Robert said that the
difficulty is getting them before the developers.
Priorities
Andy suggested that everyone briefly summarise what they'd like to
achieve. Objectives mentioned by many or most people were:
* a fair-sized development
* environmental sustainability as Andy put it, a development that would
not just meet the standard but set the standard in sustainability.
* affordability something that would be available to people in housing
need
* community a sustainable, mixed community.
Several people also liked the idea of creating something smaller but
sooner by buying existing houses. This could be done at the same time as
planning something larger. Francis said that only 0.1% of people in
Cambridge lived in co-ops, and there should be more, of whatever kind.
The important question was how it was going to be done and who would do
it. He hoped ASH would since they have paid worker time to make it
happen.