The Common House
A big kitchen and dining hall for shared suppers, a lounge, two guest rooms you can book for visitors, and a laundry with drying room.
Shared spaces & location
More space, shared well.
Your home is sized for everyday life. For the rest — guests, parties, projects, a big table for twenty — there is the Commons.
Orchard & allotments
Forty fruit trees, raised beds for every household that wants one and a greenhouse.
Workshop
Tools, a workbench and a repair café on Tuesday evenings.
Play street
A car-free lane with a sandpit, a pump track and benches for grown-ups.
Car club & bikes
Four shared electric cars, a cargo bike and covered bike stores by every door.
Location
Edge of town, close to everything.
Willow Commons sits on the green edge of Ashby Vale, between the river path and the high street. Most daily trips are a short walk or bike ride.
- Primary school5 min walk
- High street & GP surgery8 min walk
- Railway station12 min by bike · 35 min to the city
- River path & nature reserve2 min walk
- Secondary school & leisure centre15 min by bus
How to apply
Five friendly steps.
- 1
Register
Tell us about your household and the homes you're interested in.
- 2
Open day
Visit, meet residents and ask all your questions over tea.
- 3
Apply
Apply for a home; for shared ownership we check affordability with you.
- 4
Offer
Homes are offered fairly, with priority for local connections.
- 5
Move in
Pick up your keys, join the co-op and come to your first supper.
Questions
Good to know.
Do I have to join in with community life?
No. Every home is fully private and self-contained. Members are asked for about two hours a month to help look after shared spaces — what you do is up to you.
Who can apply for shared ownership?
Households with an income under £80,000 who cannot afford to buy a suitable home on the open market. Priority goes to people who live or work in Ashby Vale.
Can I bring my pets?
Yes — cats and dogs are welcome. The courtyards have a few simple rules, agreed by members, to keep everyone happy.
Is there parking?
There is one parking space per household at the edge of the site, plus visitor spaces and the car club. Blue-badge spaces are close to the accessible homes.
What does the service charge cover?
Upkeep of the Common House, gardens, orchard, lanes and lighting, plus building insurance and a fund for future repairs.