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News for September 2003

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Rare opportunity to purchase a unique property within a successful community project

We frequently get enquiries from people looking to join a community project. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a property as part of a larger family orientated community project (The Community Project, Laughton) in East Sussex. 

Although the main focus of this property, and the community project it is part of, is not an environmental one, there are many aspects that are inherently more sustainable that an average home or development. The fact that most of the homes and communal facilities have involved the re-use of previously redundant buildings is in itself a sustainable use of resources. The communal aspects will also lend themselves more generally to a sustainable lifestyle due to the greater sharing of resources.

We are therefore delighted to help promote the sale of this property. Indeed there are a surprising number of similarities with the Hockerton Housing Project - in particular the community set up and management procedures of communal facilities.

Property summary

18 Laughton Lodge

A spacious highly individual 2 storey house, part of a successful co-housing community with many communal, leisure and work facilities, set within 23 acres of the beautiful Sussex Countryside.

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Key features:

  • Two large double bedrooms with ample space on 1st floor to create a third bedroom
  • Unique internal decoration includes antique tiles and use of organic paints.
  • Barbas soapstone multi-fuel stove
  • Hydro-therapy bath
  • Spacious attic
  • Property overlooks the front lawn, villa courtyard and garden currently being landscaped with patio area and water features.
  • Walking distance of Laughton village centre with a thriving community life. It has a primary school, pub and award winning shop which doubles as a post office and cyber cafe. 
  • Ringmer two miles to the West has an excellent secondary school, local shops and many community activities. 
  • The County Town of Lewes is close by with a rich variety of shopping and cultural opportunities.

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Price

Offers in the region of £289,950

 

The Community Project, Laughton 

The property for sale is part of a co-housing community, The Community Project, Laughton, comprising 20 self-contained households sharing and co-managing a site with approximately 23 acres of land. 

The people

The Community Project jointly purchased a redundant hospital in 1996 and converted it into individual households. Residents currently include 36 adults and 29 children. No specific ideology defines the group. Whilst maintaining the privacy of their individual homes members live co-operatively as neighbours, jointly managing the land and communal facilities to foster an enjoyable, supportive community environment. Various clubs on site keep chickens, grow veggies, ride horses, go camping etc. etc. A weekly childrens’ club operates during term-time.

The place

Three large 1930's buildings have been converted into 16 homes and 4 new houses have been built.

Other community facilities include:

  • Gardens, meadow and woodland
  • Dedicated area for growing vegetables
  • Large communal building with work space available
  • Communal kitchen and dining room
  • Small shop (Kevin)
  • Meeting rooms
  • Guest rooms
  • Children's room
  • Community project office
  • Ample car parking on site.

Specific sustainable features include:

  • Woodchip powered CHP providing heating and hot water
  • Recycling facilities
  • Shared land management plan
  • Regular use of bikes

 

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Purchasing a property within the Project

As an intentional community* the leases and organisation have been developed with the community aims in mind. This means that purchasing this house within the project differs from an ordinary house purchase, as you are not only buying a property but also becoming a member of the project (rather similar to Hockerton Housing Project). Properties are purchased on very long leases (of which c994 yrs. currently remain) with mortgages available in the normal way (again similar to HHP). On purchase you become a Director of the Community Project Ltd which holds the freehold of the land and all the buildings. All the land is owned communally but members have created gardens and patios outside their homes. A monthly service charge covers maintenance of individual property and communal buildings.

* Intentional Community is any group of two or more adults that choose to call itself a community (not necessarily interested in environmental issues)

Further Information

Estate Agents: Charles Wycherley, 56, HighSt., Lewes, E.Sussex, BN7 1XE

Tel : 01273 473 329 Evenings/weekends 01273 890 003 E: admin@wycherleys.co.uk 

Owner: Jill Phillips, 18, Laughton Lodge, Common lane, Laughton, E.Sussex, BN8 6BY

Tel: 01323 815 718 E: jill@laughtonlodge.org 

Website: www.jillphillips.co.uk 

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Source of information: Jill Phillips & Charles Wycherley (Chartered surveyor and Estate Agent)

Disclaimer: These particulars have been reproduced in good faith and are set out only as a general guide. Hockerton Housing Project Trading Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information.

 

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