Located on the eastern edge of Cambridge, Marleigh Park is one of the city's most significant new neighbourhoods and a model for well-planned growth. Once complete, the development will deliver 1,391 new homes, extensive green spaces and a wide range of community amenities, helping to meet local housing needs while supporting the region's long-term economic vision.

The Minister's visit to Marleigh Park took place on the same day as the annual Innovate Cambridge Summit, during which Government funding for a new Cambridge Innovation Hub was announced. At least £15 million for the facility will be allocated through the £500 million Oxford-Cambridge Growth Package, helping to boost research, employment and skills in the area.

Marleigh Park exemplifies the type of sustainable, well-connected development that supports the Government's goals for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, creating the homes and infrastructure needed to underpin the UK's innovation economy. During the visit, Mr Pennycook toured the site with the Leader of Cambridge City Council, the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, and senior representatives from Hill, seeing first-hand how Marleigh Park has evolved into a vibrant and inclusive community since construction began in 2018.

Centred around Jubilee Square, Marleigh Park offers a wide range of local amenities, including a new purpose-built primary school and nursery, a Co-op supermarket, a community centre, a R3FORM fitness studio and a café and deli, all designed to support active and connected lifestyles. The neighbourhood also features play areas, allotments, sports pitches and extensive pedestrian and cycle routes that link directly to Cambridge's established transport network.

The third and final phase of Marleigh Park, which will deliver 423 new homes, gained planning approval in late 2024 and is set for completion in 2031, completing the vision for this new Cambridge community and demonstrating Hill's continued commitment to delivering exceptional homes across the Growth Corridor.

Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “The investment in Cambridge as the centre of excellence for science and innovation is great news, but it also requires significant investment in housing and infrastructure to support the people who make that innovation possible. We're proud that Marleigh Park has set a high standard for sustainable neighbourhood design in Cambridge and has created a thriving, connected community where people love to live. We have successfully delivered a wide range of large-scale residential-led developments across both Cambridge and Oxford, so we are closely aligned with the ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. The Hill Group remains committed to working with local and national partners to help meet the country's housing needs while supporting economic growth across this key region.”

Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “The Minister's visit to Marleigh Park offered a valuable opportunity to see firsthand how sustainable urban development can successfully deliver high-quality facilities in our area to create vibrant and resilient communities for generations to come. The visit was timely, coming shortly after the Government's announcement for major investment and hopes for a centrally led Development Corporation for Greater Cambridge.

“We have lobbied successive governments for national support on the infrastructure we need, including on wastewater and water supply. We've also made clear time and time again the challenges our local area faces when it comes to traffic and public transport. Getting this right is a top priority if we are to continue to ensure Greater Cambridge is a great place to live, grow-up, work and learn.

“We hope that a Development Corporation's capabilities, including the ability to call upon the resources of the Government, potentially provide a means to address some of these challenges - but it's key that local voices shape any decisions about our area. We will be working with Government to ensure the priorities of local people are fully considered.”

Cllr Cameron Holloway, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “I welcome the Government's major investment in Cambridge and engagement on key challenges facing our area, including housing affordability, water infrastructure, and the insufficient space on our roads. I look forward to working with the Government in the coming year to improve the quality of life for current and future residents of our area and to contribute to national prosperity.

 “We are proud that Cambridge makes a major contribution to research, development and economic growth for the UK and the world, and we want to work with Government and the Cambridge Growth Company to ensure that that continues.

“But, as Minister Pennycook set out Thursday, future growth of the city must also invest in existing and new communities to tackle the stark inequalities in our city, while protecting the environment and making Cambridge a great place to live, work and study.

“Marleigh Park is a good example of high-quality, sustainable urban development that provides excellent community facilities for current and future residents.”

ENDS

About The Hill Group

The Hill Group is a top 10 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.

In its 26th year, this family-run 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 950 people, the company operates from five strategically located regional offices including Bristol and Abingdon to help facilitate growth in the South West and the Midlands, with its head office based in Waltham Abbey, Essex.

Hill completed more than 2,800 homes in the last financial year and has a development pipeline of over 32,000 homes, including 10,200 with planning consent. 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 title of WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year in 2015, 2020 and 2023. Most recently in 2024, Millside Grange in Croxley Green won The Standard's Homes & Property Award for Best Commuter Home.

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 eight years. Hill is a registered developer with the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) and follows the New Homes Quality Code (NHQC), a new industry standard to ensure high-quality homes and an exceptional customer experience. With a score of 4.8 out of 5, Hill is also ranked as the number one housebuilder on Trustpilot.

In addition, Hill 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.