Manchester Intergenerational Cohousing (MICO) is working with developers Step Places, who, with their partners Southway Housing Trust, have submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council for a development of 120 Passivhaus homes, 18 of which are for cohousing.
The proposed cohousing development has 12 one and two-bedroom apartments in an L-shaped block and six houses, all of which overlook a shared courtyard garden.
There are also communal areas including a kitchen/dining/lounge/activity area, laundry and bike/storage facilities.
The group are sensitive to, and acknowledge, the views of some Chorlton residents that Ryebank Fields should not be developed. However, they feel that there are several important factors that need to be considered.
These include:
Contamination of the land. This is a key issue of concern to MICO, especially members who live locally. The contaminants, particularly asbestos, present a serious health risk which may only manifest itself in many years to come. MICO believes that Ryebank Fields can only be safe and accessible if it is remediated, and that this remediation is extremely unlikely to happen if the area is not at least partly developed. MICO therefore supports the planned development as an environmentally sensitive project that prioritises access via cycling and walking, retains a good part of the mature trees and also introduces wildlife friendly features (such as the sustainable drainage plans for the Nico ditch).
Housing need. MICO acknowledges the housing crisis and supports having more homes locally. It makes sense to build in inner urban areas rather than further out where residents will be more likely to be car dependent. More people living locally and sharing Chorlton with established residents will support public transport, local businesses, and schools, where rolls are falling. The shared facilities of cohousing enable people to downsize, freeing up larger homes for families. This is also true of the age-friendly apartments also planned for the development.
Passivhaus. This is a key factor for MICO who are committed to living more sustainably. Passivhaus homeowners and tenants alike benefit from superior quality and comfort, and lower energy bills. Local authorities are attracted to the opportunity to reduce fuel poverty and help achieve zero carbon targets. Poorly insulated, gas-fuelled homes are a key contributor to global warming and the MICO development, along with the others on the site, will demonstrate how high quality, well insulated housing at this scale can make a significant contribution to net zero.
If the cohousing development goes ahead, MICO will endeavour to:
Reduce car use through car sharing, cycling and walking locally
Encourage the planting and upkeep of natural areas on the site and in our shared garden, including various measures to encourage wildlife
Be good neighbours and make a positive contribution to our local community
Host visits from others who would like to learn more about cohousing and how we live together
Cohousing relies on sharing resources and developing supportive relationships, which in turn reduces its carbon footprint and reliance on external health and care systems. MICO is keen to grasp the opportunity to pioneer this way of life within a new environmentally sensitive development in Chorlton!
MICO will actively contribute to the planning process, including challenging aspects of the planning application where appropriate.