Homes England and The Hill Group have announced the acquisition of Cambridge East, a site that will pave the way for the delivery of over 10,000 new homes.
The c.700-acre site has been purchased from aerospace company, Marshall Group, and includes Cambridge City Airport and surrounding land, with Marshall Group set to relocate its operations by mid-2029.
The Cambridge Growth Company, a subsidiary of Homes England, will work in collaboration with Hill to deliver the site. The two companies say that they will draw on their experience of unlocking complex sites and delivering large-scale regeneration, with a focus on accelerating housing delivery and supporting long-term economic growth.
Hill will act as delivery partner, bringing experience of delivering large mixed-use communities at pace.
Plans for Cambridge East, which is allocated for development within the local plan, will see it become a new urban quarter for the city, with the aim of driving long-term economic growth while creating a sustainable new community for the region.
Alongside the new homes, the site will include at least three million sq ft of commercial space, which will support around 9,000 jobs. Hill and the Cambridge Growth Company will consider options for a regional training hub to develop local skills and promote long-term careers in construction and related industries. Plans also include supporting infrastructure, community facilities such as schools and healthcare provision, and extensive public green space.
The development is expected to benefit from the proposed Cambridge East station. Subject to planning consent and the provision of funding, the station could improve connectivity to central Cambridge and London, as well as extending onwards to Bedford and Oxford, strengthening links within the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “Cambridge East will become exactly the type of new community this country is crying out for – thousands of new homes to help people get a foot on the housing ladder, backed up with good jobs, modern transport links and beautiful green spaces.”
“It is a great example of how this government is committed to ending the cycle of homes coming first and services catching up years later.”
Amy Rees CB, chief executive of Homes England, added: “This is a fantastic example of how public and private sector collaboration can bring forward much-needed new homes, helping to create a new sustainable community that delivers real opportunities and long-term benefits for local people. A core part of our role is unlocking the potential of places, supporting them to become thriving communities and accelerating locally led plans for housing and regeneration. This ambition has underpinned the collaboration between Hill and Homes England, and I am delighted by news of this acquisition.”
Andy Hill OBE, founder and chief executive of The Hill Group, commented: “We are immensely proud to be collaborating with Homes England as the master developer of Cambridge East – one of the UK’s largest urban extensions. Cambridge is my home city, and this project reflects both my personal interest and Hill’s long-term commitment to the region.”
“Cambridge East is a unique opportunity to create a thriving, sustainable new neighbourhood. We will make sure the masterplan for this site is informed by local residents and delivers what the community wants – much-needed infrastructure improvements, amenities, new homes and employment creation, while setting a new benchmark for placemaking.”
Peter Freeman CBE, chair of the Cambridge Growth Company, said: “Cambridge East is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform a site that has played an important role in Cambridge’s history into a truly exceptional new neighbourhood for the city and generations to come.”
“We are delighted that Homes England and The Hill Group have taken this important step forward. This is a hugely significant project for Cambridge, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to support its successful delivery in the years ahead.”
