Feast Of Eden – A Paradise Of Homes & Jobs Promised

The land acquisition of Cambridge East is promising an Eden of 10,000+ homes, 9,000 jobs and significant economic growth.

Homes England, with its National Housing Bank and The Hill Group announced on 3 June, they had completed the acquisition of Cambridge East, a strategic site that will support the delivery of those new homes with a huge ambition for job creation.

The site, purchased from aerospace giant, the Marshall Group, extends to approximately 700 acres and 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.
 

Expansion of city

Set to become an extraordinary new urban quarter for the city of Cambridge, 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 Cambridgeshire.
 

Commercial space too

Not only is the site is expected to deliver more than 10,000 homes, there will be at least 3 millionsq.ft. of commercial space. That’s where the 9,000 jobs come in, presuming they are not decimated by AI or the economy. That figure does not include the construction workers who will bring the developments to life.

Hill and the Cambridge Growth Company will, however, 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.
 

Growth corridor

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.

Who’s who and what they said

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, said: “Cambridge East will become exactly the type of new community this country is crying out for, with 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, said: 

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.”
 

Andy Hill OBE, founder and Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said:

“We are immensely proud to be collaborating with Homes England as the master developer of Cambridge East which is one of the UK’s largest urban extensions. Cambridge is my home city. 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 such as  much-needed infrastructure improvements, amenities, new homes and employment, while setting a new benchmark for placemaking.”

Roger Hardy, Chair of Marshall Group, said:

“We have helped secure 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.”

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. Homes England and The Hill Group have taken this important step forward. This is a hugely significant project for Cambridge. We look forward to continuing to work with partners to support its successful delivery in the years ahead.”

Picture left to right: David Heaford, CFO, Marshall Group; Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive, The Hill Group; Peter Freeman, Chair, Cambridge Growth Company; Andy Hill, OBE Group Chief Executive, The Hill Group; Alison Crofton, Chief Regional Delivery Officer, Homes England; Roger Hardy, Chair, Marshall Group.

www.hill.co.uk/corporate/about-hill

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england