LILAC
LILAC means Low Impact Living Affordable Community. We are the first affordable and urban cohousing development ever in the UK. We are situated in the Bramley area of Leeds, near the canal and river Aire.
We are building 20 homes and a common house to high ecological standards using cohousing design principles. We received our planning permission in May 2011 and will move in during 2012.
The homes are being built to a very high ecological standard using timber and strawbales. Our super-insulated homes will have minimal fuel bills. The shared facilities in the common house will also reduce energy use and save us all money.
Our legal structure is pioneering a new affordability model in the form of a Mutual Home Ownership Society (MHOS), which is an equity based leaseholder scheme. Our Society will ensure that the cost of the homes remains permanently affordable and doesn’t follow the extremes of the housing market. The cost of the project is divided into equity shares. These are owned by members and financed by the payments members make each month, which is equivalent to 35% of their net household income. After some deductions, members can take their equity with them on leaving. A financial assessment and payment of a deposit is needed to join the Society.
Much more information about us, our members, buildings and the local area are on our website.
We are on site building in late 2011 and will be complete in mid 2012. We have a few homes left if anyone is interested in joining.
