23 Feb 2024
The Hill Group Boosts Future Development Pipeline Activities by £4.3 Billion During 2023

The Hill Group

 

The Hill Group, a leading privately-owned housebuilder, recorded £150 million of land investments during 2023, significantly boosting the company's pipeline by over three thousand new homes. The investments, which span the breadth of the South of England, represent Hill's commitment to delivering much-needed, sustainable new homes, either as part of its development activity or as a partner of choice.

Hill's investments encompass 11 developments with a gross development value (GDV) of £1.3 billion delivering 3,000 new homes, of which over 44% (+1,300) will be designated as affordable. Nine of the developments are expected to start on site by the end of 2024, with the remaining pair anticipated to begin in 2025. All of the developments have planning.

Hill made its series of 2023 investments during a period of increased economic uncertainty, demonstrating a proactive and long-term approach, positioning the housebuilder for strong growth in 2025.

The developments include two joint ventures with Peabody and two sites delivered in partnership with Cambridge City Council, highlighting Hill's collaborative approach to delivering high-quality housing and regeneration projects.

In the same year, Hill also invested heavily in its future pipeline with several acquisitions in strategic land sites, including Warwickshire and Essex. A total of four strategic land options were procured for the company, with the potential for over 9,500 new homes with a GDV of over £3 billion.

Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group comments, "The recent economic downturn presents both challenges and opportunities. By strategically securing these developments at a time when market conditions are advantageous, we are ensuring a robust pipeline of projects ready to commence construction as and when planning approvals are secured. This approach will ensure The Hill Group remains well positioned in preparation for an expected recovery in market conditions.

"Our robust financial position and agile decision-making capabilities have also allowed us to capitalise on strategic land acquisitions, setting ourselves up for growth over the next decade and beyond.”

Hill's 2023 investment strategy includes numerous significant developments, including the delivery of St Ann's in Haringey in joint venture partnership with Peabody. The landmark project on the site of a former hospital will eventually deliver up to 1000 homes, of which 600 will be affordable. The company's recent land acquisition of Little Chalfont Park in Buckinghamshire represents an exciting opportunity to develop 380 homes in a prime commuter belt location, providing homes for people at all stages of life; from first-time buyers through to families, retirees, and those needing later-life care. Furthermore, Raleigh Road in Bristol will deliver in excess of 100 homes on the site of the former Wills Tobacco factory, transforming a historic landmark into a vibrant new community hub.

-ENDS-

About The Hill Group

Hill is an award-winning housebuilder and one of the leading developers in London, the home counties, and the South.

 

The company is renowned for its partnership ethos, specialising in the building of distinctive new places and communities where people want to live, work, and socialise. It is now in the process of opening new regional offices to facilitate growth in the Midlands.

 

In its 24th year, this family-owned and operated company has grown to establish itself as the UK's second-largest privately-owned housebuilder, with an impressive and diverse portfolio of projects ranging from landmark, mixed-use regenerations, and inner-city apartment developments to homes in rural communities. 

 

Employing over 800 staff, the company operates from six strategically located regional offices, with its head office based in Waltham Abbey, Essex. 

 

Hill anticipates completing over 3,000 homes by the close of its current financial year and has a controlled land bank with planning consent for over 8,500 homes. Around half of its portfolio is in joint ventures to deliver a range of mixed-tenure developments, reflecting Hill's commitment to partnerships with government, local authorities, housing associations, and private clients. 

 

Since the company was founded in 1999, Hill has won over 500 industry awards, including the esteemed titles of WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year in 2015, 2020, and most recently in 2023, when it also won the Best Large Housebuilder accolade in its first year entering the category. Rubicon, Hill's innovative and beautifully designed development at Knights Park in Eddington, Cambridge, has been recognised with four prestigious WhatHouse? Awards in 2023, including gold awards for Best Development and Best Exterior Design. Rubicon also won Best Design for Four Storeys or More at the 2023 Housebuilder Awards. The Beech, a stunning contemporary home at Marleigh, won the Best Family Home award at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2023 and silver in the Best House category at the WhatHouse? Awards in the same year.

 

In addition, Hill's dedication to delivering the highest quality homes and exceptional customer service has earned the housebuilder its 5-star status in the Home Builders Federation's annual Customer Satisfaction Survey for the past six years.  

 

The Hill Group is donating 200 fully equipped modular homes to local authorities and homeless charities as part of a £15 million pledge through its Foundation 200 programme, launched in 2019 to mark Hill's 20th anniversary.

 

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @HillGroupUK

 

For more information, contact The Oracle Group PR Agency on Tel: 020 8394 2821 or hill@oraclepr.co.uk