A PIONEERING Totnes housing scheme — which would be only the second of its kind to be built in the UK — has been handed county council backing to the tune of £2,000.

The co-housing project has been put forward as part of the £65million plan to re-develop the 13-acre Baltic Wharf site in riverside Totnes.

The county council cash is to help progress the co-housing part of the huge development scheme — which involves building 30 to 35 homes alongside a 'common house' which would be used for communal activities and events including shared meals.

Other co-housing features involved in the project include a community garden, a car share pool and shared laundry facilities in a complex powered by renewable energy and built to the highest environmental standard design.

The communal facility will double as a visitors' centre, which will be a pilot demonstration project for the public to learn about its sustainable construction, possibly of straw bale.

A planning application for the redevelopment of the whole of the quayside site at Baltic Wharf is being drawn up and should be submitted to South Hams Council this month.

The co-housing development is part of 225 new homes it is planned to build on the site along with a retirement complex for 160 people, a café and shop area and an employment area.

The scheme is coordinated by the Baltic Wharf Co-Housing group, which is a project of Totnes Co-Housing group and will be working with Devon and Cornwall Housing Association to try to make at least 40 per cent of the homes affordable.

Pat Sykes, acting coordinator for the Baltic Wharf Co-Housing project, said: "A co-housing development in Totnes has been a dream for years of many people living here.

"The concept is popular in Scandinavia where land is more available and planning very receptive.

"Totnes is leading the UK 'transition' movement, encouraging communities to share resources and to reduce waste."