22nd June 2026

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group and Homes England, with its National Housing Bank, have today completed the acquisition of Cambridge East, a strategic site, which will deliver one of the UK’s largest urban extension projects.

Cambridge East is a strategic acquisition that will support the delivery of more than 10,000 new homes, thousands of jobs and a thriving new community. The land has been acquired from Marshall Group, marking a pivotal transition after more than a century of stewardship.

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.

The Cambridge Growth Company, a subsidiary of Homes England, will work in collaboration with Hill to deliver the project. 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.

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 acquisition includes Cambridge City Airport and adjacent land, extending to approximately 700 acres. Marshall will relocate its operations by mid-2029 to enable the development.

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.”

Cambridge East was identified as a key allocated site in the local planning framework five years ago. The collaboration will deliver against ambitious timeframes.

A comprehensive programme of public consultation will be undertaken as part of the planning process. A masterplan submission is anticipated in due course, with a projected start on site for an initial phase of up to 500 homes from 2029.

For more details, click here.