Cohousing scheme set to move ahead

A new community-led housing scheme in Cambridgeshire is set to move forward after securing planning consent.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has approved plans for a mixed-tenure neighbourhood at Northstowe, delivered by a joint venture between TOWN and The Hill Group, in partnership with Homes England, the master developer for the wider site.

Bosses say the scheme will deliver 145 homes across four buildings near the emerging town centre, with 40 per cent designated as affordable housing.

They add the development will feature two cohousing communities located side by side, bringing together resident-led groups within a single neighbourhood designed to promote shared living and social connection.

Jonny Anstead, director at TOWN, said: “Projects like this are still very rare in the UK. 

“Opportunities to deliver cohousing at scale don’t come along often. 

“What makes Northstowe particularly unusual is that we’re creating two cohousing communities side by side within a single neighbourhood.

“It’s also an important moment for our partnership with Hill. 

“This is the first project from the joint venture to reach planning, and it shows how community-focused housing can be delivered as part of mainstream development.”

Tom Hill, managing director at The Hill Group, added: “We’re pleased to reach this exciting milestone with planning granted for this unique development. 

“Partnership working has been central to bringing these two cohousing communities to life, and we look forward to starting on site and delivering high-quality homes that foster community, sustainability and intergenerational living.”

Future residents have played a key role in shaping the plans, influencing home layouts, shared facilities and outdoor spaces through a collaborative design process.

Homes will be built using timber frames and designed for high energy performance, incorporating low-carbon materials and sustainable technologies.

The project will also include shared gardens, play areas and communal buildings, alongside a car-free street designed to prioritise walking, cycling and community interaction.

Matthew Brown, head of large sites at Homes England, added: “Diversifying the housing offer at Northstowe is essential to accelerating delivery and creating a resilient new town. 

“This scheme demonstrates how cohousing, affordable housing and high-quality design can be brought together within a commercially viable development.”

Construction is expected to begin this summer.

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