12. Partnerships

All Reports

Annual Review 2023/24

Partnerships

Representing around 60% of our business, partnerships are in our company DNA and integral to the continued success of The Hill Group.

Throughout the financial year, we completed 13 developments for housing associations across the breadth of the country. From Newmarket in the east to Newhaven in the south and Bristol in the west, the completed developments amount to over 1,500 new affordable homes.

We forge strong relationships with our clients by consistently delivering high-quality, affordable homes. Our focus is on becoming their partner of choice, a trusted collaborator throughout the development process. This trust is built on open communication, a shared commitment to communities, and a deep understanding of their needs.

Exning Road, Newmarket

Exning Road, Newmarket.

Exning Road, Newmarket.

Completed in partnership with Anchor, a leading provider of housing for elderly people, Exning Road in Newmarket, Suffolk, delivered 60 new apartments for residents over the age of 65.

The development caters to a diverse set of housing needs with a selection of one and two-bedrooms. Delivery included the fit-out of a resident lounge, bistro, wellness room, and hair and beauty salon, all designed to encourage interaction between residents and create a sense of community.

The apartments promote independent living with accessibility features and modern amenities that ensure comfort and peace of mind, allowing residents to maintain their independence while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment. Exning Road addresses the need for senior housing in Newmarket and creates a vibrant and inclusive space where residents can thrive.

Exning Road in Newmarket, Suffolk, delivered 60 new apartments for residents over the age of 65.

Westhorpe Gardens, Phase 1B, Barnet

Wood Street, Walthamstow.

Wood Street, Walthamstow.

In partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), we completed the first phase of the regeneration of Westhorpe Gardens and the Mills Grove Estate in Hendon, London.

In 2018, Westhorpe Gardens became the first development approved by the Mayor of London following a ballot held under his new guidelines, with 75% of residents voting in favour of the development.

The new homes achieve an EPC rating of B, exceeding efficiency standards achieved through features like high-performance windows, enhanced wall insulation, air-source heat pumps, and maximised natural shading. The development prioritises resident wellbeing and community needs, incorporating dedicated green spaces, community gardens and allotments, later-living accommodation, and play areas. Pedestrian-friendly design encourages accessibility and interaction, while EV charging points promote greener transport options.

We are now underway with the next phase of development, Phase 2A of Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove Estate, which is due to complete in early 2026.

Beaulieu, Chelmsford

Partnering with the housing association Anchor, we completed an 82-home later-living development in Chelmsford, Essex. This project delivers high-quality one and two-bedroom apartments catering specifically to residents aged over 65.

Situated within the Beaulieu masterplan, encompassing over 3,600 new homes, the development offers residents a convenient location close to shops, leisure facilities, and green spaces. The 1.59-acre site boasts spacious and adaptable apartments designed for both comfort and safety, fostering a sense of community through shared amenities, such as a bistro, hair salon, and communal lounge.

Littlemore Park, Phase B-D, Oxford

In collaboration with Peabody and Oxford City Council, we completed the Newman Place development in Oxford’s Littlemore Park area.

The development delivered 273 new homes, comprising 111 for social rent and 162 for shared ownership, catering to diverse needs and income levels. The development offers a range of apartments and houses, from one to five-bedroom options, with some featuring wheelchair accessibility. Located on a former NHS site, priority was given to NHS workers seeking shared ownership, with 30 now residing in the new homes.

The development includes open green spaces with natural play equipment to encourage outdoor recreation. Three of the buildings utilise solar panels for renewable energy, and EV charging points are available across the site. New cycleways and footpaths connect residents to the surrounding brook, countryside, and Oxford Science Park, promoting active travel and access to amenities.

Newman Place received the 2023 Inside Housing Development Award for Best Shared Ownership Development, recognising its innovative and accessible design. The judges praised the project for its ‘100% shared ownership model catering to diverse needs in an unaffordable area,’ alongside its sensitive integration with the landscape and local heritage.

McArthur's Yard, Bristol

McArthur's Yard, Bristol.

McArthur's Yard, Bristol.

Working alongside Guinness Homes, we completed McArthur’s Yard in Bristol, transforming a vacant 19th-century malt house complex into a new community nestled in the city’s historic harbourside.

The development offers 120 high-specification apartments and duplexes, ranging from one to three bedrooms. Recognising the importance of affordable housing, we partnered with Guinness Homes to deliver an additional 72 homes within the site. These comprise private sale, shared ownership, and social rent options, contributing to meeting Bristol’s housing needs.

At McArthur’s Yard, we prioritised the reuse of existing materials, retaining and structurally reinforcing two-thirds of the original wall. Recycled bath stone slabs and grey stone setts salvaged from the site were also incorporated, acknowledging its historical legacy.

Fenny Road, Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire

In partnership with the housing association Peabody, we completed the development of 58 new affordable homes in the Buckinghamshire village of Stoke Hammond. Situated on Fenny Road, just south of Milton Keynes, the development offers a mix of 43 houses and 15 apartments, providing residents with flexible living options within easy reach of the city’s amenities and surrounding areas.

By delivering these affordable homes, the project increases accessibility to quality housing for diverse income groups within the community.

Sustainability was a core focus throughout the project. To ensure energy efficiency and lower residents’ bills, traditional gas heating was replaced with air-source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems, and solar panels. Additionally, increased wall thickness contributes to an ‘ultra-low’ energy fabric for the homes.

South West Lands, Wembley

South West Lands, Wembley.

South West Lands, Wembley.

We completed South West Lands in Wembley Park, Brent, for Sovereign Network Group (SNG), a London-based housing association ‘providing affordable housing at affordable rent.’

The project delivered 156 new homes, providing diverse housing options for the local community across three mixed-use residential buildings ranging from six to 19 storeys, with new retail and commercial space on the ground-floor level. A combined heat and power district heating network provides heating and hot water to the homes.

The development also incorporates local infrastructure improvements, contributing to the area’s growth and sustainability.

Amber House, Bracknell

Amber House, Bracknell.

Amber House, Bracknell.

In yet another successful collaboration with MTVH, Amber House was a dynamic project to regenerate an area of Bracknell. This mixed-use, 100% affordable development directly addressed a critical need for housing in the town and was completed in the winter of 2023.

Amber House features a range of homes, offering 74 one-bedroom and 119 two-bedroom configurations to cater to the varying needs of individuals, couples, and families. The availability of shared ownership and social rent options ensures accessibility for residents across diverse income brackets.

The ground floor features a public boulevard with shops, restaurants, and leisure facilities, to serve residents and allure visitors to promote community interaction and engagement. The integrated commercial space provides crucial opportunities for local businesses to thrive, adding to the economic vitality of the development and the surrounding area.

North Town Phase 6, Aldershot

Vivid’s £100m regeneration of the North Town Estate in Aldershot had been in development for eight years before we commenced work on Phase 6, after securing the project through a competitive tender process.

Starting delivery in July 2019, Phase 6 included the development of 215 new affordable homes. The homes, which included shared ownership, social
rent, and affordable rent homes, were completed in May 2023.

Based on the successful delivery of the phase and the strong relationship we fostered throughout construction, we were able to negotiate the delivery of the subsequent phase, which is now underway.

Railway Road, Newhaven

We completed Railway Road in Newhaven, East Sussex, for Stonewater, a leading social housing provider. The project delivered 76 new homes, including shared ownership options, on the former Parker Pen factory site.

The development features ample open green spaces with a play area for children and outdoor fitness equipment for adults. The homes boast contemporary kitchens and bathrooms featuring cushioned vinyl flooring and fitted carpets. Each house benefits from parking and a private rear garden.

Railway Road, Newhaven.

Railway Road, Newhaven.