On 18 September 2018, Mel Nock, a founder member of Laughton Lodge, gave a presentation about the journey they took to set up their community, the steps and decisions they took, the highs and lows, and how they have continued to build the community in the 20 years since. Laughton Lodge was set up as a cohousing community nearly 20 years ago and is a buoyant community of 70 adults and children, living in 21 houses and sharing 23 acres of land in East Sussex. See the video to these slides and more information here: http://bhclt.org.uk/laughton-lodge-a-story-of-building-a-cohousing-community-video/

1. The Community Project
20 years in search of community

2. The beginning

3. serendipity

4. 1997 – Laughton Lodge

5. The first
stages
Legal
Structure
Feasibility Finance Purchase

6. So now you own 23 acres and some
knackered old hospital buildings

7. Next Steps
Professional team
Design
Planning
New builds
Building contract

8. Time to review
 Contract prices
 Have to make major cuts
 But finally we are on site

9. The “E” team
Duty management
system
Financing – internal
loans
Pricing

10. So now you have houses….

11. Time to build community….
 Building community
"We want to live in a community that
provides a safe, welcoming, creative and
precious environment to its residents,
children and those from outside. One where
everyone has a role and willingly contributes
to the care of our children, each other, land,
buildings and processes. A community that
runs its business efficiently, wisely and
responsibly, but above all knowing that there
is a greater good in being and working
together in community."

12. Structures
 Consensus decision making
 Monthly main group meetings
and a number of sub groups
 Monthly “Busyday”
 Nothing compulsory

13. Finances
 Service charge
 Development charge
 Utility charges
 rents

14. Are we green?

15. Continuous reinvention

16. Endless possibilities
Dance engage

17. Working together can be challenging

18. And sometimes you just want to pack
your bags…

19. But there are endless opportunities to
learn

20. To fulfil some fantasies

21. And make some deeper connections