A group of residents from inner city Leeds plan to create an eco-friendly community and way of life.
The Chapeltown Cohousing scheme is in negotiation with Leeds City Council and is working on advice from city planners over their idea to create between 20 to 30 homes on unused land.
They envisage an area to grow food and local produce and want to create a way of living cheaply. Homes would be available at an affordable price, through a cooperative.
An open event is to be held on February 2, in a bid to make three years of planning a reality.
Graphic designer Bill Phelps, who has lived in Chapeltown for 40 years, speaking on behalf of the project, said: “We are looking in the Chapeltown and Harehills area of Leeds. We have seen six sites, and the one we’re currently investigating has bags of potential and is right on our doorstep in Chapeltown.
“The main point of the scheme is to live in a mutually supportive and eco-friendly way. We’d like to make the homes as affordable as possible.
“We want to use land to grow food and live a low energy lifestyle. We are looking at ways to live as affordable as possible in a community setting.”
He said the group of like-minded residents were inspired by the LILAC (Low Impact Living Affordable Community) Cohousing Scheme in Bramley, whose eco-friendly 20 homes are almost complete and have a waiting list of interested people ready to move in.
Mr Phelps added: “We’re looking for Chapeltown residents and others who want to be part of a more community-friendly way of living to get involved. Take a good look round and if you find yourself thinking ‘I’d like to be part of that’, then get in touch.
“We will also hear from a family who are moving into the brand new LILAC scheme in Bramley, about their experience.”
The Chapeltown Cohousing launch event on February 2, is at Roscoe Church Community Hall, Francis Street, LS7 4BZ from 2pm to 3pm.
More details at: www.chapletowncohousing.org.uk
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