The Lychee Project (Amended)

[Lychee]

Greetings All!

Remember the Reuben's Wood debate, (which all went a bit abstract)? Then came the Lychee Project, a more practical hypothesis, followed shortly after by the ?Viral Attack? from, apparently, a mysterious ?Russian hacker?. Just as the debate was getting going, it was wiped out. Or was it? Not wishing The Lychee Project to be a fly-by-night proposal, here it is reposted with (quite a few) amendments for you to (re-) consider.

What follows may be of general interest, but it's primarily for all those, like myself, who the fates have ensured own a modest stake in property, while also remaining up to their eyeballs in debt!

But first, as this is an initial posting, some quick background on my family and our situation.

A few years ago I moved with my partner from London to near Oxford, so we could buy a whole house (a semi), which I've just had extended. Now we're plotted up in a small but living village (school, shop, P.Office, butcher). We've got a 200-foot garden in which we grow modest range of veg, 3 fruit-trees, etc. At the end of our garden we have a newly planted Woodland Trust wood with decent sized pond.

Sounds idyllic, only we have a ?modest? ?100,000 + mortgage, and all the Peaknik Doom Artisites are screaming "rid your debts!! Global Oil depletion will provoke a string of recessions culminating in a permanent depression. The Party?s Over; the End Of Modernity Is Nigh!!".

Assuming at some level we agree with the Peak Oil argument (or because of our awareness of global warming etc.), what to do on a personal level? Take a chill pill, absorb the shock only to forget about it all until the Cassandra's are proven right? Presumably, by then, making changes will potentially be much tougher?

Looking at these issues as far as we are concerned, our current neighbours, (who know nothing about Peak Oil) are far more "prepared" for ?energy shocks? than we are: they grow 60% of their own food; they've paid off their mortgage; he?s a skilled car mechanic, welderer, handyman; a very agreeable chap. Lived here 20 + years, knows everyone. He even owns two licensed guns.

Anyway, three years in, we've integrated as far as is possible into this affluent, Times, Telegraph and Mail reading community. My partner's treasurer of the playgroup and a member of the active, but very apolitical, environmental group; i teach F.A football (and soon juggling and latin percussion) on voluntary basis at the local school where my two young kids go; our village is twinned with a town in France and we're members of that society, etc..

Meanwhile, I work in London (part time) in advertising (LOL!!/ scowls of disgust). Freelance production work. Money's good, if a tad unpredictable. And apparently, it's scheduled to get even more unpredictable. Do I sit and watch the kettle boil? Sit in my utopic little bubble built on un/sustainable debt? Or do I jump?

At this stage, we are looking at gathering information. If the recessionary momentum continues, servicing largish mortgage debts seems to me to be a major liability. The fact is, I?ve never been comfortable with the whole concept in the first place. So, Peak Oil provides the perfect excuse to look at alternatives to indebtedness.

To this end, we've started by assessing the more ?hardcore? solution. We?ve recently visited an "Intentional Community" not too far from where we live. Picture, if you will, a huge red brick mansion house. 17 acres of land with a small wood. Inhabited by 17 adults, 8 kids; communal suppers every night; weekly meeting; bulk buy-in from Suma foods; members only allowed to work part-time, so can devote 16 hours a week to collective organic garden. Smell of freshly baked bread, children's laughter filling the huge baronial stairwell, with its stained glass skylight...A very friendly, mixed bunch of people; musical instruments, recording studio, bike shed...All on the grand scale.

Sounds idyllic (of course, on a mid-summer's 'open day', it would be!). Aside of the very friendly and enlightened people who live there, the primary reason this community works, is the building was bought for peanuts by some high spirited hippies back in the 70's. Hence everyone who lives there now notionally owns a share of the place, in return for doing their share. (Some even have kept but rent out their own homes to help subsidise themselves, leaving them with more time to dedicate to the community). Sounds great, only it's hardly a model you could emulate in the post-"property-boom" situation we have today.

Personally, I'm interested in the other end of the 'commune' spectrum, or perhaps somewhere in between: the so-called co-ownership or co-housing projects. It seems to me that this is the most practical way like-minded persons (be they greens, libertarians, Peakniks, RCP?s - Rational Conscientious People etc) can come together in a practical time frame. Obviously, there?s a lot of research that would need to be done, but over a forum, with contributions from lots of sources, this might prove a very interesting, worthwhile discussion.

Here?s a hypothetical proposal, starting with Space and Place: Assemble a group who are curious (if not yet committed) in principle to the idea of down-sizing/ living a minimal debt/ low carbon lifestyle. But instead of seeking discreet, individual projects we look at collective potential solutions.

To give one example: the idea of buying a place at the high end of the market, with considerable land (estimate around million plus ?). This may involve looking for somewhere with the potential for extending/converting out-buildings (barns/cow-sheds) or where there?s enough land to build autonomous dwellings, even so-called ?temporary dwellings? that do not require planning permission, but can be quite substantial, made of wood (with excellent insulation), or adobe or even straw bale constructions etc?Of course the legal issues/structures need substantial clarifications. Any conveyancing experts with any suggestions, please contribute if you have any insights here.

In a very simple scenario, one might form a trust and issue leases for 999 years for self-contained spaces; everyone is autonomous yet must consult with the group re. when/if they wish to move on; new co-housing members to be approved over trial period (6 months say) etc, etc. Think along these lines. Examine the existing examples of people who have done this sort of thing effectively (see ?Diggers & Dreamers? web-site which is more ?commune? based).

The point is to think practically; establish a concrete time-line; assign simple research areas to interested parties; debate initially via the powerswitch site and then, if we so wish, of course, in person. Could make for a very interesting gathering!? At some opportune point we would say okay, here are two/three different models. Perhaps we?d hold a vote and then ask: have we convinced ourselves this is workable and practical and are we the right mix of people to bring it off in reality? Does anyone still wish to proceed, etc,?

Anyone with any suggestions or potential interest might like to email me, Lychee, at your convenience. How I think one could proceed is, fairly simple: first identify a place, initially simply for an idea of scale and possible habitation via web-based estate agents. Identify a dozen possibilities. Aim to attract a group of say 10 more or less interested parties (a good hypothetical mix of young families, couples / individuals; able bodied, enthusiastic, good humoured people, willing to pool skills and knowledge. Sounds exclusive? Doesn't need to be.

The key concept here is to downsize in style: for interested parties committed in principle to ridding themselves of major debts (mortgage) in the name of trying something genuinely new: that is, to consider living in an independent, yet collectively managed co-housing setting, according to progressive, low-impact principles.

For all those who think this sounds like a load of idealistic nonsense, try doing a Google search on: ?Canon Frome Court?, just one example of an intentional community operating on co-ownership terms.

If this debate lifts off, by autumn a discussion party might like to meet up in person (in London or local city). And assuming nothing comes of all this talk/ research/ debate? At the very least, contributors will have helped gather useful information and possible structures for others to follow or adapt successfully in the near future.

Yes, this is all very well, you might be thinking, getting rid of one?s mortgage liability, etc.. But you can?t just move into a wilderness and start earning a living. And, of course, yes, in terms of earning an income, here is where the discussion needs to thrive. So let me start off with a few random thoughts:

Firstly, I propose people need a minimum equity stake, allowing for an x amount left over to support themselves as they adapt to life in the co-housing ?complex? (especially if they are building/ converting a customised living space), say, to allow for modest income over 1 to 2 years.

Re. forging links with the surrounding/neighbouring community at large, I think a very pro-active attitude early on is vital: offering to do voluntary work, helping raise funds for local school etc; doing study courses/ getting (part-time) jobs using our skills and developing new ones (maybe via the local council, or more progressive local companies if such a thing exists etc); set a great example ourselves by investing in micro-power generation, possibly, even setting up a business locally to sell small wind turbines, photo-voltaic technology, geodesic domes, composting toilets etc, etc; advise on Governmnet grants to help encourage people into the many forms of responsible powerswitching;

As well as enjoying life, as I hope we all do, such a hypothetical group might consider beginning a process of growing/baking/selling its own organic produce at local farmers markets; perhaps standing on a 'green' ticket at local council elections; plan ?open days? where the local community is invited in to see how things could be done. And beyond this, via the web (to effectively declare: "if you open your eyes and pool your money/skills with others, there are many practical ways to limit/rid yourselves of debt, and to live a lot lighter on this earth and, potentially, with more fulfilment. Why wait for a crisis?).

Of course energy conservation will be a key element in any such initiative, from looking at investing in renewable energy sources to devising a pedal-powered washing machine (or 2) to install in our Fitness Gym ! Assuming an energy crisis unfurls, and even if in the short term it doesn?t, such a co-housing initiative would seek to offer the broader community an ?alternative vision?, another way of organising themselves, using new skills and technologies etc.

What else? Aside of what food such a co-housing initiative might decide to grow itself, it might make sense to bulk buy essential food (mostly sourced locally etc), thereby saving everyone money in the process; I expect people might even consider taking turns cooking and eating together [once/twice or, depending on layout of place and everyone?s inclinations, as many times as is practical! P.s: don't forget to bring your own wine, etc;]

Re. transportation needs, we would, as far as possible, aim to do the right thing and bike/bus/train/ car pool it to the local school/ work or maybe buy a mini-bus and so on and so on.

Re. the skills base we can draw on? People might consider undertaking local carpentry, basic plumbing/electricity courses and teach themselves as far possible.

Re. on-going building works: the idea would be to learn more about alternative building materials and techniques. Perhaps, as a revenue stream, as skills are acquired the plan might be to offer to build in the locality (seems to me the Government will soon be forced to offer grants and incentives to encourage such laudable, small scale low-impact business intiatives in the future).

If anybody (including Reuben, of course) is still reading this spiel and it sounds not completely unreasonable to them, please spiel on... and also feel free to contact Lychee (why delay, this could be the start of a beautiful thing).

Re. locations. Now there?s the question?In the U.K: Anywhere green and pleasant near existing town or village? People usually think of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wales, but why not elsewhere? And then there?s ?abroad?? For arguments sake, say, Normandy or the Bordeaux area in France, with all the proviso?s this would, of course, entail.


Anymore ideas? Post them here. Thanks for enduring with me,

And look forward to hearing from you.

____________________________________________________________
Be brave, be smart, think ahead, think the impossible. History is on our side.
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[/b]

[peaky]

Fantastic first post

It's too late to read it all, but I got the impression that it's something I'm certainly thinking about myself. I'll repost when it's not nearly midnight and I can do it some justice

[Rach121]

I'm thinking along these lines too, which is just as well considering I live with Lychee!!
Seriously, though I have ordered some books about the various legal structures for housing associations and co-ops. As soon as I know more I will share the info.
Also, there is currently a project in Tipperary called (rather ominously) The Village. "The Village has applied to North Tipperary County Council for the development of a sustainable, eco-friendlycommunity attched to the village of Clough Jordan." http://www.thevillage.ie
Worth checking to see how a project like this could be realized.

[Blue Peter]

To give one example: the idea of buying a place at the high end of the market, with considerable land (estimate around million plus ?). This may involve looking for somewhere with the potential for extending/converting out-buildings (barns/cow-sheds) or where there?s enough land to build autonomous dwellings, even so-called ?temporary dwellings? that do not require planning permission, but can be quite substantial, made of wood (with excellent insulation), or adobe or even straw bale constructions etc?Of course the legal issues/structures need substantial clarifications. Any conveyancing experts with any suggestions, please contribute if you have any insights here.


Re. locations. Now there?s the question?In the U.K: Anywhere green and pleasant near existing town or village? People usually think of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wales, but why not elsewhere? And then there?s ?abroad?? For arguments sake, say, Normandy or the Bordeaux area in France, with all the proviso?s this would, of course, entail.

I guess that I'm interested. Just a couple of thoughts:

It's possible/likely that the housing market has reached its peak, and will be headed downwards, possibly/probably with an attendent recession. This might make purchasing properties easier (but not if you have to sell first). Currently, at least in the housing market, even ?1 million doesn't get you very much land (say 4 acres), though a very nice house. At least in this neck of the woods (north Buckinghamshire). I don't know so much about the farm market, but land round here is very expensive because people hope that it will be given planning permission.


As for moving abroad, I'm not particularly keen on that option, because I think that in troubled times, there might be integration problems. There might not, but I think that a "bunch of foreign hippies" might provide a convenient place for venting frustrations. Secondly, anywhere abroad would present greater logistic problems, possibly in a period where travel was becoming more difficult.


Peter.

[Lychee]

Re. buying large place with outbuildings/substantial acreage, during property price slump B.P writes:

"This might make purchasing properties easier (but not if you have to sell first)".

Perhaps a well organised group might consider selling their respective places and renting within an agreed period (for example, over the next 1 to 2 years). If the housing market duly falls, such a group would be well placed to make a cash bid on appropriate location (securing an even better deal) when the time/price is right.

For anyone interested in co-housing initiative, I'm in process of ordering a book "Sustainable Housing Schemes in the UK' (available from The Centre For ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY. Call 01654.705959 or order by email at:
mail.order@cat.org.uk.

Blurb states : "Based on the experience of the Hockerton Housing Project this guide identifies 28 key issues that need consideration in setting up a sustainable project. Includes legal, financial, planning and design. It looks iin detail at 31 case studies and has info on another 50 + schemes. Lots of useful information, contacts etc plus details on what attracts people to community living and what are the key blockages to their development. 50 pages." Cost ?10 (publ. 2002)

Any other sources of information please post them here.

Warm regards,

Lychee

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[Blue Peter]

For anyone interested in co-housing initiative, I'm in process of ordering a book "Sustainable Housing Schemes in the UK'


Blurb states : "Based on the experience of the Hockerton Housing Project this guide identifies 28 key issues that need consideration in setting up a sustainable project. Includes legal, financial, planning and design. It looks iin detail at 31 case studies and has info on another 50 + schemes. Lots of useful information, contacts etc plus details on what attracts people to community living and what are the key blockages to their development. 50 pages." ___________________________________________________________

28 key issues and 31 detailed case studies in 50 pages That can't be right, can it?

I'll try to have a look at the This Land is Ours website, and see if they have anything useful,


Peter.

[Blue Peter]

Lychee,

If you haven't already ordered the book, I think that you'll find the same one here:

http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/publications.htm

and a little cheaper at ?7.50


Peter.

[Lychee]

Thank you Peter for saving me ?2.50, I'll put it toward the money I've committed for the Powerswitch press ad.

As well as the above co-housing book, for anyone interested check out the following link:

http://www.cohousingresources.com/whatIs.asp

This gives a good introduction to the co-housing concept/"intentionally designed communities" (apparently originally a Danish idea).

P.S Possible Peaknik meet up over a drink to broadly discuss this Co-Housing idea etc in Oxford city centre, over the next week or two. If anyone is interested, drop me a line with a contact so I can let you know when.

Best wishes,

Lychee

[Blue Peter]

This is also an interesting link:

http://www.cohousing.co.uk/infopackcmtyproj.htm


It seems that it takes a long time to set these things up,


Peter.

[K&D]

Dear Lychee and co.,

From a Google search ?co-housing Oxfordshire?, we came across your posting about the Lychee project. We are a couple in our 30s, currently working in Northern Sri Lanka in the health and education fields, but planning to return to settle in Oxfordshire (or somewhere close by) in 2007. We are quite ordinary people with only moderately strong idealistic views (unlike many commune types we?ve noticed on the web!!), just an interest in living in a different way to the consumer-driven middle-class suburbia we left behind.

We are interested in co-housing, and so wanted to contact you to see if you had taken things further from your posting in 2005. From your posting, we were not sure if you were thinking of a large co-housing development, or had more of a small farm/commune in mind. We would be more interested in the former. Our reasons for being interested in co-housing are primarily to live in a more community-oriented way (especially sharing some meals) and to pool resources with other families in order to minimize our impact on the environment.

Anyway, if any of you are still working on the co-housing idea, it would be great to hear from you.

Kate & David

[oobers]

Re. locations. Now there?s the question?In the U.K: Anywhere green and pleasant near existing town or village? People usually think of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wales, but why not elsewhere? And then there?s ?abroad?? For arguments sake, say, Normandy or the Bordeaux area in France, with all the proviso?s this would, of course, entail. [/b]

Lychee - The picture you paint is one very similar to a reality shaping up down in Devon right now. (Yes, I'm sorry - very unimaginative to go for Devon - soon the whole Southwest will be overrun with people looking for a more sustainable life and I suppose we will have to be all co-operative and share resources with them - ghastly! )

Next meeting of our merry band is 21-23 April. For more info, see www.devoneva.org.uk

[isenhand]

is Lychee still around

[Blue Peter]

is Lychee still around

I don't think that he's posted from much after starting this thread. His other half (Rach21 or something like that) did post a few months ago, I believe. Mike Peppler knows them so he may have more info,


Peter.

[Rach121]

Hello, we are still around, lurking in the background. Actually all plans to move have been put on temporary hold while Tag (Lychee) has been exploring a new career, which is taking up huge amounts of time and energy. I am still very interested to move and have been continuing to read about energy efficient housing design and shire horses...
Oobers - Westcott Barton looks fantastic! Have many people pledged money? I've heard it costs nearly ?2 million quid! What sort of size do you anticipate the community being? How much land is there? I will try my hardest to come for the weekend meeting, any chance I could bring my mother? she's interested in self-sufficiency, smallholding and chickens!
Glad this subject has been resurrected, to be honest we've been a bit down in the dumps about the whole thing. I realise you just have to stop talking about it and get on and do something.
best wishes, Rachel

[oobers]

Hi Rachel

Yes - I think there will still be room for you and your mother to come along although the camping quarters are going to be a bit cramped methinks - 13 at the last count. If you were to find B&B nearby, you would ensure more comfort but hey - who wants comfort? I'll PM you the latest email about the weekend inc travel arrangements but if you do intend to come, please give Jackie Carpenter a ring so she can keep you in the loop.

Shire horses, eh? You may be just the person we are after! (there is an option to purchase some rather fine shire horses that currently live on the site and we are a bit concerned that they may need some specialist care)

Your other Q's
Number in the community: There will no doubt be some debate about site capacity this weekend but we have been talking about (eventually) 20 dwellings and between 40 and 80 people.
Land: 80 acres pasture, 7 acres of woodland
Investors: About half a dozen are declared and sold on this site so far. Sale price: The ?2M is about right

Oobers