Stroud Co-housing is the first new build co-housing scheme in the UK. Based on the Danish model, co-housing is a form of collaborative housing that aims to create a real sense of community. The scheme consists of 35 private houses and flats with a shared common house at the heart. The project has a very high ecological specification including:

• Timber frame construction from renewable sources

• Photovoltaic roof tiles

• Innovative sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS)

• Timber retaining walls and gabions using locally sourced stone

Cars and parking are kept to the edge of the site, leaving the majority of the area pedestrian only and safe for children.

The project was awarded a £400,000 Government grant for the installation and monitoring of the photovoltaic tiles, the largest array of PVs on private housing in the UK.

www.springhillcohousing.com