Jonny Anstead

Background

About Jonny Anstead

As a Founding Director of TOWN, I am committed to showing that property development can be a force for good. I co-lead a team delivering housing, urban regeneration and strategic development projects that create tangible social, environmental and commercial value. Our approach centres on creating good places for better lives, with a particular emphasis on places that foster community and where children, families, and people of all ages can thrive. TOWN delivered Marmalade Lane, a cohousing community in Cambridge, which has become a symbol of good housing in the UK and the focus of many case studies, best practice guides, and planning policies. Building on this learning, I oversee several similar projects at all scales. Our work is rooted in a careful understanding of local context, genuine engagement with communities, and close collaboration with landowners, councils, and funders who share our values. We put low-carbon design and construction at the heart of everything we do and are committed to measuring and delivering social value. Beyond TOWN, I serve as Chair of the Quality of Life Foundation, championing better places and higher standards across the built environment. I speak and write regularly on sustainable development, cohousing, child-friendly cities, and the importance of involving communities in shaping their neighbourhoods. In 2024, I gave evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee on the future of the built environment, reflecting my commitment to influencing policy and raising standards across the sector.