Planning Permission Approved for Innovative Cohousing Development in Northstowe

South Cambridgeshire District Council has approved planning permission for a unique neighbourhood in Northstowe, which will integrate two cohousing communities within a mixed-tenure development. This project marks the inaugural major development from a collaboration between TOWN and the award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, in partnership with Homes England, which serves as the master developer for phases two and three of the new town.

The partnership aims to enhance the delivery of cohousing and community-oriented neighbourhoods across southern England, merging Hill’s construction expertise with TOWN’s focus on resident-led development. Northstowe is the first initiative under this innovative programme.

Designed by Mole Architects, the development will feature 145 homes distributed across four compact urban buildings near the emerging town centre. Notably, 40% of these homes will be affordable, including Affordable Rent and Discount Market Sale options.

In a national first, the neighbourhood will host two cohousing communities side by side as part of a strategic expansion of the new town. Suvana Cohousing, rooted in Buddhist principles, will coexist with Northstowe Cohousing, which is designed as a multi-generational model inspired by Marmalade Lane.

Future residents have actively participated in shaping the development through a comprehensive codesign process, influencing aspects such as home layouts, shared facilities, and landscape design. The housing mix will include terrace houses, maisonettes, and apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms.

The masterplan features a car-free play street that connects directly to the Greenway park. It includes shared gardens, play areas, and two common houses to facilitate communal meals, gatherings, and daily interactions.

All homes will be timber-framed and designed for high energy performance, incorporating air-source heat pumps and low-carbon materials. The landscape strategy, crafted by Guarda Landscape, will integrate sustainable drainage, edible planting, and natural play environments, with streets prioritising walking, cycling, and play in accordance with Building for a Healthy Life principles.

The granting of planning approval is a significant milestone for the TOWN-Hill joint venture. Jonny Anstead, Director at TOWN, remarked, “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.”

Matthew Brown, Head of Large Sites at Homes England, stated, “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 anticipated to commence in summer 2026. Those interested in joining either of the cohousing communities can find further information at www.wearetown.co.uk/cohousing.