Housebuilder The Hill Group has entered into a strategic joint venture with leading co-housing developer TOWN to accelerate the delivery of community-centred residential projects and bring co-housing models into the housing mainstream.

The partnership aims to fuse Hill's extensive expertise in large-scale housing delivery with TOWN's innovative, community-first approach to development. The two organisations will work together over the next five years to create mixed-use, resident-led neighbourhoods that prioritise sustainability, engagement and long-term stewardship.

A central focus of the joint venture will be the expansion of TOWN's proven cohousing model, a form of housing where residents participate in the design of their homes and jointly manage shared amenities such as gardens, play areas and communal buildings. The approach fosters stronger community ties and supports well-being through thoughtful, inclusive design.

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Launching with a £50 million project at Northstowe—a major new town in South Cambridgeshire, the joint venture will deliver approximately 150 homes, including two co-housing communities, alongside a blend of private and affordable housing. The project, commissioned by landowner Homes England, builds on TOWN's extensive experience collaborating with public and institutional stakeholders, including Cambridge City Council, Landsec and The Crown Estate.

TOWN is already engaging with future residents of the Northstowe development to co-design both the homes and shared community spaces. A planning application for the site is expected to be submitted this summer.

The partnership is inspired by the success of Marmalade Lane in Cambridge, TOWN’s award-winning co-housing development completed in 2019. Home to 100 residents, the community is widely recognised as a national benchmark in sustainable and community-led design, earning over ten awards for its contribution to architecture, planning, and social value. The development remains in high demand, with more than 500 households currently on the waiting list.

The joint venture will initially focus on delivering homes across London, the East of England, the South East, and the South Midlands.