Common Tilth is a Community Benefit Society — a democratic, asset-locked structure that can acquire and steward land permanently for community benefit. Not for profit, not for resale, not for any individual. Held in common, for good.
Our first potential site is a 1-acre plot in Stoke Newington, N16 — currently on the open market, and an opportunity to demonstrate what this model can do.
An orchard, growing beds, and ecological habitat. Open to the community, managed by members, designed for biodiversity as much as food.
A small number of homes — permanently affordable, never for sale on the open market. The homes cross-subsidise the growing space, making both viable.
A Community Benefit Society with an asset lock. That means the land can never be sold off or converted to private use — by anyone, ever.
"Tilth" is an old word for earth in good heart — cultivated, cared for, ready to grow. Common tilth is land tended in common. That's what we're trying to create.
When land comes to market, the default outcome is private development. Common Tilth exists to offer a different outcome — community acquisition, permanent stewardship, democratic governance.
The Community Benefit Society model has been used successfully across the UK to permanently protect land for community use. It's not radical in mechanism — it's radical in what it prevents.
Our first opportunity is a 1-acre site in Stoke Newington, N16. It's currently on the open market. If we can assemble the community, the governance, and the finance in time, it could become the first Common Tilth site — a proof of concept for what this model can do in London.
We're at the very beginning. That's why we're talking to people now — the only way this works is if the community shapes it from the start.
We want community involvement to shape this project from the beginning — not to rubber-stamp decisions already made.
Listening. Talking to growers, community organisations, and people who care about how land is used. Building the founding membership.
Forming the CBS formally. Applying for early grants to fund ecological survey and planning advice. Identifying and securing a site.
Planning application. Community share offer — giving people the chance to invest and become members. Building the finance to buy the land.
Land in community ownership. Development begins. Members shape what gets built and how the space is used.
We're not asking for money yet. We're asking for people — and for honest opinions about whether this is something worth building.
Founding members help shape the CBS constitution, the design brief, and the values that govern the project. It's a real role, not a mailing list.
What would a community growing space mean to you? What would make it genuinely useful? What would make it fall flat? We want honest answers.
Know someone who does community growing, permaculture, ecological design, or community housing? Know someone who cares about how London's land is used? Tell us.
When the time comes, a community share offer will let people invest and become members. We'll let you know when that's open. For now — just stay in touch.
Whether you have a question, a connection, or just want to be kept in the loop — we'd love to hear from you.
hello@commontilth.org