Partnership to Deliver Major Housing Regeneration in Harlow
Harlow Council and The Hill Group, one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, have come together to deliver a programme of new homes. How will this help to see an ambitious regeneration of the town?
The Harlow Regeneration Partnership LLP is an equal partnership between the two organisations that is aiming to bring forward the development of council-owned, and other sites for regeneration and development.
In addition, it is also hoping to provide either capital or revenue financial returns against these investments. The Partnership is formed on a non-exclusive basis that will also allow Harlow to investigate other options for delivery partnerships.
Collaboration is crucial to transition to a more sustainable future
Tom Hill, Managing Director at The Hill Group explained that the partnership will be essential in creating a thriving community for locals: “We are thrilled to have formed this exciting new partnership with Harlow Council and mark the start of a strong and fruitful partnership where together we will develop sustainable new homes, invest in jobs, training opportunities, and increased social value, ensuring Harlow’s residents are at the centre of our plans.”
He continued to highlight that focusing on collaboration is needed to ensure people are provided with the housing that they need: “Hill has a strong track record of collaborating with local authorities to deliver large-scale regeneration, and we are committed to replicating these successes in Harlow, delivering high-quality homes, and revitalising the town centre.”
This collaboration is a significant step forward in Harlow’s journey towards a vibrant and sustainable future, and we are honoured to be a part of it.
The partnership will begin work on site later this year and will explore options for delivering further town centre regeneration schemes.
These will be in addition to UK Government funded schemes which will deliver a new bus station and Terminus Street, improvements to Broad Walk and the transformation of Playhouse and College Square with a new live performance venue and upgrades to Harlow Playhouse.
Regenerating Harlow will create opportunities for locals
Talking about the partnership, Councillor Don Swords, explained that it will be the beginning of work to regenerate Harlow: “The deal means that we can say to residents and businesses we are finally getting on with the job of delivering the town centre’s regeneration and building new homes.”
Harlow will be on site this year to start the town centre rebuild and on sites to build high-quality new homes for Harlow families.
Expanding on the importance of delivering the town centre’s regeneration, the Councillor expressed that the partnership is key to boosting the economy: “Delivering major regeneration in Harlow that this town needs is not something we can do on our own.
“This partnership is a game-changing moment for the town’s regeneration with private sector expertise and investment, with the council having an equal share. It will be a partnership with capacity to manage multi-million-pound schemes which will regenerate Harlow, create jobs and opportunities for Harlow people and future generations and boost the local economy.”
Harlow Council’s cabinet meeting in March 2023 made the decision to form a partnership with The Hill Group. This came after a rigorous evaluation process supported by independent experts Local Partnerships, which began in December 2022 when developments were invited to submit proposals for working with the council.
