Frequently asked questions
What is ECF?
ECF (formerly the English Cities Fund) is a long-term public-private regeneration partnership that brings together Homes England, L&G and Muse.The partnership works alongside local authorities to unlock and sustain complex regeneration projects across the UK.
What does ECF do?
ECF helps bring forward complex regeneration projects that require long-term partnership, coordinated delivery and structured investment.This includes town centres, city centre neighbourhoods, waterfront regeneration and large-scale mixed-use developments.
Is ECF a developer?
No. ECF is an integrated regeneration partnership. Muse leads development delivery, while Homes England provides public sector alignment and L&G provides institutional investment stewardship.Together, the partnership creates a structured model for long-term regeneration.
Who are the ECF partners?
ECF is a partnership between: Homes England, L&G and Muse.The partnership also works closely with local authorities and public sector partners across the UK.
How does ECF unlock regeneration?
ECF helps unlock regeneration by aligning partnership, delivery and long-term investment within a single structure.This helps complex or constrained sites move forward where delivery may otherwise stall.
Why are long-term partnerships important in regeneration?
Large-scale regeneration often takes place over many years and across multiple phases.Long-term partnerships help provide continuity, aligned decision-making and sustained delivery over time.
What types of projects does ECF work on?
ECF works on large-scale regeneration projects including: town centres, city centre neighbourhoods, waterfront regeneration, mixed-use developments and housing-led regeneration
How does ECF work with local authorities?
Local authorities lead regeneration ambition and priorities within their areas.ECF works alongside councils to support delivery, align partners and help bring forward long-term regeneration projects.
What makes ECF different from traditional development models?
ECF combines public purpose, long-term investment stewardship and delivery expertise within a single partnership structure.This enables a more coordinated and long-term approach to regeneration.
How long has ECF been operating?
ECF has delivered regeneration projects across the UK for over 20 years.
What kinds of places has ECF helped regenerate?
ECF has supported regeneration in places including Salford, Canning Town, Plymouth, Stockport, Wolverhampton, Stevenage and Hull.
Who are the English Cities Fund?
The English Cities Fund is the former name of ECF. The name was shortened to ECF for simplicity. ECF is a long-term public-private regeneration partnership that brings together Homes England, L&G and Muse.The partnership works alongside local authorities to unlock and sustain complex regeneration projects across the UK.
What is the Pagabo Developer Led Framework?
The Pagabo Developer Led Framework provides local authorities with a compliant route to appoint regeneration and development partners. Through the framework, councils can appoint ECF via Muse and the Morgan Sindall Consortium LLP (MSC LLP), helping accelerate the delivery of regeneration projects.
What are the benefits of appointing ECF through Pagabo?
The framework can help reduce procurement timescales, simplify the appointment process and enable projects to move more quickly from ambition to delivery. It also provides access to ECF’s integrated regeneration model, bringing together public sector alignment, long-term investment and delivery expertise.
When can a direct award be used via Pagabo?
In certain circumstances, the Pagabo Developer Led Framework allows local authorities to make a direct award without undertaking a further competitive procurement process. The suitability of this approach should be assessed against the specific requirements of each project.
What types of regeneration projects can ECF support through Pagabo?
ECF supports a wide range of placemaking projects, including town centre regeneration, city centre neighbourhoods, waterfront developments, housing-led regeneration, mixed-use communities and large-scale placemaking projects.
Has ECF been appointed through Pagabo before?
Yes. ECF has been appointed through the Pagabo Developer Led Framework on a number of regeneration projects across the UK, including Bradford City Village, Smithgate in Wolverhampton, Marina Village in Barrow and Stevenage Town Centre.
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