Cohousing concept coming to historic Leverstock Green, with a new neighbourhood of around 30 homes designed to strengthen community spirit and connection

The aim is to bring a stronger sense of place and connection to the area by creating housing designed with community spirit, wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.

Residents will have their own home and private garden or balcony, arranged around a large, shared garden used by everyone in the neighbourhood for play, growing food and socialising with neighbours. There will also be a Common House at the centre of the community, with a kitchen and dining room for shared meals and flexible spaces for activities like yoga, home-working and entertaining friends and family.

Located on Westwick Row in Leverstock Green, the development is in partnership with The Crown Estate, who is exploring innovative approaches to sustainable housing design with an aim to understand how this could be scaled up across the country. The neighbourhood will meet the needs of a multi-generational community, with one to two-bedroom flats through to larger houses, allowing for a mix of single person households, couples, families and downsizers.

Helen Mulligan, a resident of Marmalade Lane, said:

“Living in a community like this has completely changed how I think about home. It’s not just about existing in your own space – it’s about living an easier life, sharing meaningful interactions and just feeling generally supported. My kids can play safely outside, there’s a general sense of people being around and keeping an eye out. It’s a way of living that makes life easier, happier and more sociable – and I think in the modern day world, more people are craving that.”

Guy Rochez, Associate Director, TOWN, said:

“Westwick Row will show what’s possible when local people are genuinely involved in shaping the place they’ll call home. From the very beginning, residents, neighbours and partners are working together to co‑design a community that reflects local needs, strengthens social connections and supports everyday wellbeing. It’s a patient, collaborative process - but one that builds trust, long‑term stewardship and a real sense of belonging.”

This February, TOWN is calling on families, individuals and couples to register their interest and secure a place in the Westwick Row cohousing community. With construction, subject to planning, taking place later this year and homes ready from summer 2027, this is a rare opportunity to have meaningful involvement in how your new home shapes up through design workshops and consultation.

This approach to housing brings back the richness of community life, echoing a time when neighbours were familiar faces and people you could rely on to lend a hand. Benefits include:

• Being better for the planet: Shared resources and energy-efficient homes mean lower carbon footprints and reduced waste. At leading cohousing community, Marmalade Lane, a study found that residents are saving around £600 a year on bills, due to energy-efficient builds. Homes also use less than half the water of a typical UK home, again reducing bills.
• Closer communities, less loneliness: In a world where 1 in 10 UK adults can’t name a single neighbour, cohousing communities make it easy to build real, lasting relationships. Shared spaces for activities such as yoga, home-working and hosting friends and family or movie nights and communal dinners with neighbours create a sense of belonging.
• Freedom and safety for families: Car-free play streets and a shared garden with dedicated play areas give kids the freedom to play outdoors independently. Today, only 27% of children regularly play in their streets, compared to 71% of their grandparents when they were a similar age. The ethos of these new developments mean childhoods feel safer and parents have support from others in their community.
• Everyday convenience: Daily life is made easier with shared facilities like guest bedrooms, homeworking spaces, communal laundry facilities, and growing food spaces. Residents can influence the design of the wider community and their future homes, shaping them in a way that’s right for their life.

Demand for this way of living is evident in Marmalade Lane, which has a waiting list of over 400 households, and community-led housing is gaining momentum across England, with 31 neighbourhoods already established and 65 more in development.

Frances Wright, Head of Community Partnering at TOWN said:

"Cohousing has the power to transform how we live together, and the development at Westwick Row will be a fantastic example of that. We’re looking for people who want to live in a vibrant, supportive community. If that sounds like you, get in touch today.”

The Crown Estate and TOWN submitted a planning application for the Westwick Row development in Winter 2025. Construction, subject to approval, is expected to begin in Autumn 2026, with the first homes ready from late 2028.

To register your interest and learn more about the Westwick Row cohousing community, visit: https://www.wearetown.co.uk/projects/westwickrow/