Transformational Cambridge East land acquisition to unlock…

The site, purchased from Marshall Group and extending to approximately 700 acres, includes Cambridge City Airport and surrounding land. Marshall will 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. Together 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.

Set to become an extraordinary new urban quarter for the city, this transformative development will drive long-term economic growth while creating a sustainable, vibrant new community for the region. Cambridge East is allocated for development within the local plan and represents a major opportunity to support sustainable growth in Cambridge.

The site is expected to deliver more than 10,000 homes and at least 3 million sq. ft. of commercial space, supporting 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.

Roger Hardy, Chair of Marshall Group, said:

We are delighted to have secured a bright future for Cambridge East through its sale to Homes England and Hill, two organisations with outstanding track records of delivering high-quality, award-winning developments in Cambridge and across the UK.

Marshall is a family-owned business with roots in Cambridge dating back to 1909, and we care deeply about the city and its future. Following careful, long-term consideration supported by Savills, we have passed the mantle for this development to partners best placed to ensure the site thrives.

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.

Notes

About Homes England 

We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.

We make this happen by working in collaboration with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.

Learn more about us: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about