Cole Street Farm, Gillingham, Dorset

The Threshold Centre at Cole Street Farm is a unique, pioneering cohousing community and sustainable education centre, which aims to demonstrate a way of life, which is more green, affordable, and neighbourly. Cohousing, combines small, self-contained homes with shared facilities, which are a key part of this.

The Centre runs regular courses on cohousing and other subjects.

Having operated on a pilot basis since late 2004, the Threshold Centre won planning permission and grant funding in 2008 to create a cohousing scheme at Cole Street Farm. It consists of fourteen dwellings, seven of which are affordable rent and shared ownership with a local housing association - a first in the short history of cohousing in this country. There is also a common house with shared facilities and guest rooms, green energy systems and a community market garden.

The Threshold Centre shows how to achieve major cuts in the three main aspects of domestic carbon emissions: home energy, food and travel. Read about our sustainability credentials.