Reflecting on a year of partnerships and creating positive change in towns and cities across the country

As ECF approaches its 25th year, 2025 has marked a period of significant progress – driven by the commitment of our teams and partners  

Through the combined strengths of Homes England, L&G and Muse, the partnership continues to support long-term regeneration for communities. 

Across our places, from Hull, Bradford, Manchester, Salford and St Helens, to London, Northampton, Stevenage and Wolverhampton, plans have moved forward through new partnerships, planning approvals, on-site activity and conversations with local communities. 

ECF continues to unlock potential by working together to take forward complex, community-focused and area-wide regeneration. 

New partnerships take shape across our portfolio 

2025 has seen ECF enter into two significant new partnerships, strengthening the foundations for long-term regeneration in key town and city centres. 

In Northampton, ECF entered into a Development Agreement with West Northamptonshire Council, setting the framework for the regeneration of Greyfriars and the creation of a new neighbourhood in the heart of the town centre.  

This agreement has provided the platform to move from vision to next steps, enabling early engagement with the local community and helping maintain momentum as plans progress. 

This year also marked the formal start of a new long-term partnership in Hull, where ECF was confirmed as lead developer partner for East Bank Urban Village.  

Working with Hull City Council, the 15-year Development Agreement supports taking practical steps to bring East Bank forward, combining early site works with continued conversations with local people as plans take shape. 

Across both places, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to early engagement, long-term investment and collaborative delivery. They show how strong foundations, built early, help complex regeneration move forward with clarity and confidence. 

St Helen’s town centre transformation moves to delivery  

Earlier in December, St Helens Borough Council committed £69.7 million to the first phase of a healthier, happier and more connected town centre for St Helens. 

This follows a series of important steps for the project as work continues to move from preparation to delivery. 

Work is now starting on the state-of-the-art transport interchange which will be at the heart of the town centre, after planning permission was granted in the summer.  

This was followed up quickly with approvals for the first phase of the plans for the wider town centre, with 60, homes, a 120-bed hotel and 11,400 sq ft of retail space getting the green light. 

We’re looking forward to a major year of delivery in partnership with St Helens Borough Council. 

Planning progress for our key places 

There has been continued development of the ECF pipeline this year, with a series of planning milestones underlining the momentum being driven by the partnership. 

In Bradford, a detailed planning application has been submitted for City Village for 1,000 modern, energy-efficient homes, including affordable housing to support the needs of the community. It has been landmark year for the city as it celebrates being UK City of Culture 2025. 

Meanwhile, in the West Midlands, our planning application for City Centre West in Wolverhampton received planning approval.  

This milestone saw the neighbourhood re-named to Smithgate, with the masterplan delivering 1,000 new homes, shops, cafes and public spaces. 

As we move into our 20th year of partnership in Salford, we have submitted plans for 263 new homes in the heart of Crescent Salford at Adelphi Village and a further 42 affordable Passivhaus homes approved in the last 12 months. 

Plans have also been approved for 185 apartments at Farmer Norton Phase 2, alongside earlier proposals for 42 affordable Passivhaus townhouses.  

Together, these form part of Adelphi Village, the main residential area within the Crescent Salford masterplan. 

Planning was also secured for a further 189 homes at Salford Central, bringing the total number of homes delivered and approved at New Bailey to more than 1,000. 

Elsewhere in the North West, we received the green light for a new £250m neighbourhood in Stockport. Stockport 8 will create 1,300 new homes as part of a walkable and sustainable new neighbourhood.  

Progress this year has been further strengthened by investment through the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, which will support the next stages of delivery at Adelphi Village in Salford and help unlock the first phase of Stockport 8.  

The funding recognises the strength of long-term partnerships in bringing forward complex regeneration and accelerating the delivery of much-needed new homes. 

Setting the direction for Stevenage Station Gateway 

In Stevenage, we have continued to work in partnership with Stevenage Borough Council to develop the emerging masterplan for Station Gateway. 

The proposals set out a long-term framework for a new residential and commercial quarter around the station, with around 1,000 new homes alongside workspace, education and public spaces. 

This year has focused on establishing a shared direction that supports infrastructure-led regeneration and Stevenage’s next phase of growth. 

Construction activity ramps up  

We’re driving regeneration through planning, while construction continues across several sites.  

This year construction work has started on a new acoustics building at Crescent Salford, marking another step forward for Crescent Innovation and the wider £2.5bn Crescent Salford Masterplan.  

Salford Crescent has also seen important progress this year with the first Passivhaus apartment completed at Willohaus, with the 100 affordable homes being delivering in the area reducing energy use, supporting healthier living for residents. 

Over in Earlestown, the new Earlestown Town Hall is taking shape, with internal works well underway to revive a much-loved and historic venue. 

Across these places, communities are beginning to see the tangible benefits of ECF’s long-term commitment to delivery and partnership. 

Award-winning  

Over the past year, several ECF projects have received recognition locally, regionally and nationally, including: 

– Delivering Social Value, Building Magazine – Manor Road Quarter, Canning Town  

– Sustainability Project of the Year, Society of Façade Engineering Awards – Eden at New Bailey 

– Best Commercial Workplace, BCO Northern Awards 2025 – Eden at New Bailey 

– ESG Award, BCO Northern Awards 2025 – Eden at New Bailey  

– National ESG Award, British Council for Offices – Eden at New Bailey 

– Future Ambition Award (shortlist), Insider Media Liverpool City Region Property Awards – St Helens  

– Future Ambition Award (shortlist), Insider Media Yorkshire Property Awards – East Bank Urban Village, Hull 

Looking ahead to 2026 

This year has reinforced the value of long-term partnerships, which have been at the heart of ECF’s approach for almost 25 years and will continue to guide our work in 2026. By strengthening relationships and working closely with our local authority partners, we can continue to support positive and sustainable futures for towns and cities and the communities they serve. 

As part of this, we are looking forward to coming together with partners and peers at UKREiiF in 2026. Events like this provide an important opportunity to share insight, reflect on progress and explore how collaboration can help unlock the next phase of regeneration across the UK.