New partnership set to unlock region’s housing ambitions

Derby provided the backdrop for the signing of a deal to accelerate plans by the East Midlands Combined County Authority to build 100,000 homes across the region.

The Strategic Place Partnership between EMCCA and Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, was agreed when Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, met with Amy Rees, chief executive of Homes England, at Compendium Living’s Castleward Urban Village development.

The partnership signals a long-term commitment from Homes England to support Mayor Claire’s ambition to build 100,000 homes across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Mayor Claire said: “This new partnership marks an important moment for the East Midlands.

“By working hand in hand with Homes England, we are ensuring that our ambition to deliver 100,000 new homes is based on a solid foundation.”

Strategic Place Partnerships are one of the tools Homes England uses to work closely with Combined Authorities in England.

EMCCA and Homes England will work together to attract more investment and speed up the building of new housing projects in the region, providing local people with greater access to high-quality homes.

Mayor Claire said: “Building these homes is one of the most important ways that our investments will benefit local people.

“It is how we will deliver inclusive growth, which is at the heart of my mission as Mayor.

“That means building more homes and creating stronger, more connected communities with the jobs, infrastructure, and regeneration our local people deserve.”

EMCCA and Homes England have already established a strong working relationship through delivering key projects like the development of Infinity Garden Village, on the edge of Derby.

Infinity Garden Village will be located to near to Infinity Park, one of the three East Midlands Investment Zone strategic sites.

Plans at the site include building 4,500 homes and five million sq ft of retail, office, and community space, and creating 5,000 jobs.