The 145-home proposal to be located near Northstowe is the first project from a new joint venture between TOWN and The Hill Group.
The joint venture will form part of the wider Homes England development of a former Royal Air Force base at Northstowe.
Matthew Brown, head of large sites at Homes England, said: “The proposal from TOWN and The Hill Group shows how resident-led cohousing, high-quality, low-carbon homes and a significant proportion of affordable housing can come together to create a neighbourhood with community at its heart.
“Diversification of the housing offer at Northstowe is key for us to accelerate delivery. We are pleased to support plans that set a strong benchmark for the next phases of Northstowe.”
The project will feature two cohousing communities of approximately 40-50 homes each. One community will be Suvana cohousing which features a grounding in Buddhist values. The other will be a multi-generational community modelled on TOWN’s previous Marmalade Lane project. Marmalade Lane attracted a waiting list of more than 400 households, thus proving demand for the concept.
Jonny Anstead, founding director at TOWN, said: “Cohousing brings an incredible social energy to a new place. When residents know each other, share space and take collective responsibility for their environment, it creates a stronger, more resilient community. We’re excited to see this approach becoming part of Northstowe’s story.”
The cohousing principle means that whilst each home will have its own front door and private outdoor space, residents will have the use of community facilities too. Shared facilities will include a large garden with allotment space and space for children to play in as well as a Common House where people can cook and eat together.
Mole Architects were used in both the Northstowe and Marmalade Lane projects. The Cambridge Quality Panel described the latest development as ‘a high-quality, innovative proposal that brings diversity and social richness to Northstowe’.
The TOWN and Hill Group joint venture intends to expand the development of cohousing throughout southern England, with Northstowe representing the first step toward that goal.
Andy Hill, founder and chief executive of The Hill Group, said: ““This is an exciting milestone in our partnership with TOWN. By combining TOWN’s community-first approach with Hill’s mixed-use delivery expertise, we can create neighbourhoods that are sociable, sustainable and built to last. Northstowe is a great example of what this joint venture is designed to achieve.”
40% of the new homes will be affordable, including affordable rent and discount market sale.
Construction is expected to commence in Summer 2026, subject to consent.
Image: TOWN
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