A simple idea, structured properly
SharedAcres brings people together to buy, use, and manage land collectively – without the complexity or risk of doing it alone.
At its core, it’s built on a straightforward model:
- One cooperative
- Multiple pieces of land
- Shared ownership and responsibility
The big picture
One cooperative. Multiple land schemes.
SharedAcres operates as a single cooperative organisation that owns and oversees all land. Each piece of land is run as its own “land scheme.”
What that means:
- Each site has its own group of members
- Each site covers its own costs
- Each site has its own use (e.g. camping, farming, storage)
No site subsidises another
Everything stays fair and transparent
Step-by-step
How it works in practice
1. Join the Founding Group
You register your interest and become part of the initial member pool.
2. Members Pool Funds
Members contribute a fixed amount (e.g. £1,000 each). This creates a shared fund for land purchase.
3. Land Is Purchased
The cooperative buys land on behalf of all members.
- The land is owned by the co-op
- Members hold shares in the co-op
4. Land Becomes a “Scheme”
That piece of land becomes its own self-contained scheme. It has:
- Its own members
- Its own costs
- Its own usage model
5. Members Use and Maintain the Land
Members gain access to the land and can use it within agreed guidelines.
Costs are shared and kept low.
6. The Model Repeats
As more members join, new land can be acquired through additional share rounds.
The cooperative grows over time
How the land works
Each site is designed to sustain itself
The goal is simple:
Every piece of land should cover its own costs and generate modest revenue
Typical Uses
Land use depends on what’s practical, legal, and suitable.
Woodland
- Camping
- Bushcraft
- Quiet recreation
Fields
- Small-scale growing
- Grazing
- Allotments
Other land
- Storage
- Events
- Low-impact activities
Key Principle
Land use must be:
- Practical
- Sustainable
- Appropriate for the land
This avoids:
- Ongoing financial burden
- Unrealistic expectations
- Underused land
How the money flows
Each land scheme is financially separate.
Members contribute:
- A one-off share purchase
- A small annual fee
This covers:
- Maintenance
- Insurance
- Basic running costs
Income (where possible)
Some sites may generate income through:
- Camping
- Storage
- Events
This income is used to:
- Reduce member costs
- Improve the land
- Build resilience
The aim is sustainability
When a site become more commercial
Some sites may evolve – and that’s planned for
Most land will stay simple and member-focused.
But if a site grows into something more active (e.g. a campsite or storage business), a different structure may be introduced.
The Simple Structure
- The cooperative owns the land
- A separate Ltd company runs the business
How this works:
- The co-op allows the company to use the land
- The company runs the activity (e.g. bookings, rentals)
- Any profits support the cooperative
Why this matters
This structure:
Protects members
- Risk stays within the company – not the co-op
Keeps finances clear
- Member costs and business income are separate
Supports sustainability
- Commercial activity can reduce member costs
Important to know
- Not every site will need this
- Many will remain simple and low-cost
- This is only used when appropriate
In simple terms
Here’s the model in one view:
- One cooperative holds everything together
- Each piece of land runs independently
- Members share costs fairly
- Each site is designed to sustain itself
Ready to see if this is right for you?
Join the founding members list to get early access and updates as the first land purchase takes shape.