Portaferry Co-Housing gets green light for development
- Planning Committee unanimously approves NI’s first resident led housing development.
This new cohousing initiative on the Cloughey Road, Portaferry, promises homes that are “Affordable, Sustainable Living for All”.
They will providing energy efficient homes in acres of green space with safe play areas, wild sanctuaries and growing space. There is a strong focus on community built into the development from the start.
This is an innovative community-based, living model to address housing challenges in Northern Ireland.
With ever increasing house prices and a lack of affordable houses to rent, the need for this kind of development has never been greater.
Fay Ballard of Portaferry Co-Housing said: “As the project is owned and run by the people who will be living there, this gives us greater control over the design and cost of the houses – hopefully making them more affordable.
“This groundbreaking project will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, offering a new model for affordable, sustainable living. The project, situated on land at Cloughey Road and led by Portaferry Co-Housing, will provide up to 32 eco-friendly homes designed to foster community, reduce environmental impact, and address the growing demand for affordable housing in the region.
“With planning approval now confirmed, we have moved a step closer to making this dream a reality, and hope to be in a position to move in within the next 2 years.
The innovative design of the project was created by our architect Murray Bell of bell-architects.com ” sad Fay.
What is Co-Housing
Co-Housing is a community-based living arrangement where residents live in private homes but also take advantage of shared spaces and resources.
There are multiple benefits to this way of living – Sharing resources means that people can live more affordably, it allows people to be actively part of a community which helps combat loneliness and isolation. Plus it gives people more say in how their community is run.
In addition to their own homes residents will also have access to a common house which fulfills the function of a village hall, allowing people to get together for social activity and meals whenever they wish. The common house will also have spare bedrooms for visitors and office space for those working from home.
This project takes inspiration from a wider co-housing movement that originated in Denmark and has now spread across the world.
The Portaferry project started in 2020 with a small group of individuals who have created a not-for-profit group called Portaferry Cohousing which has purchased land on the outskirts of Portaferry on the Cloughey Road.
“The group aims to create a housing development that demonstrates sustainable design and supports a rich community life. Building energy-efficient homes suitable for an inter-generational mix of households and incomes, designing in shared spaces including a common house, safe play areas, wildlife habitats, growing spaces and garages.
“We hope it will act as a catalyst and inspiration for others.”
FAQS
How large is the project? – We have 10 acres and have been granted planning permission for 32 detached and semi detached homes all with private gardens, a large common house and 5 garages.
Do people own their own home? – Each home will be privately owned. The communal house and the rest of the site will be owned and managed by Portaferry Co-Housing Ltd which is owned equally by the members of the project. We are not a Housing Association and we do not provide social housing.
Is it possible to rent? – The properties will be for sale. Some members of the group may purchase a house and rent it out privately. We hope that some houses will be available to rent to encourage people who are enthusiastic to be part of the project but cannot raise a mortgage.
Are there any up front payments? – There is a cost of £1k to become a member of Portaferry Co-Housing which reserves a site on the development. People are welcome to come to meetings without becoming members. A further deposit is required before construction commences.
Benefits to the Community
- This co-housing project will not only provide affordable homes but will also contribute to the local economy by engaging the services of local contractors for the build. There will also be 32 new households using local shops, bars and restaurants.
- With our focus being on the benefits of living as part of a community, this will inevitably extend to being engaged members of the wider Portaferry community by taking part in local events and other initiatives. 7. Quotes from Key Stakeholders
- “For the majority of my life I have resided in rural and island areas in Northern Ireland and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland where I have enjoyed the huge social benefits of living in communities where people are mutually supportive and have a rich sense of identity and belonging. The concept of Co-Housing was new to me but its ethos of intentionally building a collaborative cooperative community closely reflected my living experience and I am excited to have become a member of the Portaferry project.” – Hilda Hope (Member)
- “I think we all hope that we will end up in a caring and friendly community, but the reality is that we need to be intentional and proactive in order to make this happen. Co-housing provides us with a template of how we can live in a place, where, although we may have different beliefs, we can share the same values and demonstrate those values by the way we live with each other.” – David Powell (Member)
- “I grew up just a ferryboat ride away from Portaferry and so becoming involved in Portaferry Co-Housing feels like a homecoming of sorts. I have moved house regularly & my friendship networks are scattered widely. However, I have been lucky enough to have lived and worked in places where that sense of belonging is still very much attached to the community you live in. I see the possibility of creating a similar sense of community through co-housing.” – Mary Kerr (Member)
- What next
- We anticipate building to commence next year (2026) as groundworks in relation to connection to the water and sewerage systems provided by NI water have to be completed first
- Now that planning approval has been given the green light by the planning committee we anticipate an increased interest in the project. With 15 families already signed up for the first phase of the development we expect demand to be high for the remaining 17 properties. Anyone that is interested in being part of this exciting development can contact us at:
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There will be an online information meeting at:
Date: 21st May 2025
Time: 7 PM
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82402829718
