In an important step towards delivering an innovative, low-carbon housing project in Oundle, Northamptonshire, TOWN has entered into an agreement with landowners Anne and Peter Miller to acquire their land on Benefield Road.

Anne and Peter Miller approached TOWN, together with Mole Architects, in 2019, to explore the potential to deliver a low-carbon housing development on their land, having been aware of Marmalade Lane in Cambridge. Since then, TOWN and Mole have been working with the landowners and local residents to explore feasibility and preliminary options for the site.

Building on our expertise in cohousing and participative design processes, TOWN is working with a group of potential future residents, adopting a ‘building group’ approach to the project. This sees TOWN and its design team working closely alongside the people who will live in a development to design the new place together, and is similar to the German ‘Baugruppen’ approach where future residents come together to plan their new community together.

Another key aspect of the project is its commitment to sustainability, reflecting the landowners own wish to see a project on their land which will demonstrate best practice in terms of environmental performance.

A dedicated project website has been launched which will provide information for local residents, and for those who wish to be involved as potential future residents. More information can be found on the Millers’ Field website.

An outline planning application for the project is expected in late 2023.