Hull City Council has announced its intention to appoint ECF, a partnership between Muse, Legal & General, and Homes England, as its lead development partner for East Bank Urban Village following an extensive procurement exercise.
Marking a significant milestone for this major regeneration, the council plans to enter into a 15-year development agreement with ECF for the master planning, development and construction of the opportunity, which is expected to see a mix of uses including 850 new homes.
Located to the east of the River Hull, opposite the old town, the scheme will comprise high quality new homes and infrastructure in the heart of the city, transforming a forgotten part of Hull into a vibrant and exciting contemporary urban village.
The regeneration is backed by £9.875m of secured Levelling Up Partnership funding and will be a long-term investment into the city. It will also be well placed to plug into the planned District Heating Network.
The council’s cabinet will also soon consider undertaking the acquisition of several third-party ownerships crucial to the development of East Bank along with essential site enabling works in close collaboration with ECF.
Potential site enabling works for the scheme could include land remediation activity and structural repairs to Trinity Buoy Shed and adjacent river walkway to allow the development to move forward at pace.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “I am delighted to see this developer partner agreement with ECF progress.
“East Bank Urban Village will be one of Hull’s largest ever regeneration projects and begins the transformation of a long-term derelict site just a stone’s throw away from the city centre.
“This new neighbourhood of up to 850 homes will act as a catalyst for further urban renewal within Hull and help increase investor confidence in the city with all the economic benefits that will arise.”
Sir Michael Lyons, Chair at ECF, said: “East Bank Urban Village is an ambitious plan to deliver a dynamic and vibrant new neighbourhood. As development partner, we will work together with Hull City Council to develop and accelerate the vision.
“By bringing our collective skills and experience, ECF will support Hull City Council address regional priorities – whether through homes, jobs, or economic growth. We’ll work closely with communities as we progress to ensure the benefits of regeneration are felt at every level.”
East Bank Urban Village will significantly contribute to meeting the council’s City Plan aspiration for 2,500 new dwellings within Hull city centre.
The new homes will be developed alongside ground floor commercial uses and an interconnected network of streets, plazas and green spaces to promote a pedestrian friendly, family atmosphere.
ECF has a strong track record of delivering complex and award-winning urban regeneration schemes nationally and work closely with institutional investors as well as government partners.
