Places for People and Barratt Redrow have unveiled a landmark joint venture to build 8,500 homes as part of Harlow & Gilston Garden Town.
One of the UK’s most significant placemaking programmes, the 8,500 homes will form six Garden Town villages in Gilston with the joint venture partnering Places for People’s master developer expertise and social enterprise mission alongside Barratt Redrow’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading homebuilders.
Taylor Wimpey will oversee a further 1500 Garden Town homes in a seventh Gilston village as part of the planning permission granted by East Herts Council last year.
Places for People’s joint venture with Barratt Redrow will create interconnecting villages on the outskirts of Gilston, set within 660 hectares of public open space that will feature restored historic parkland, meadows and woodland.
The six walkable villages will include at least 1,950 affordable homes, contributing significantly to the wider long-term housing strategy of the Garden Town’s five council partners, and helping to ease pressure on local families, first-time buyers and key workers.
The network of interconnected villages has been designed from the outset as a pioneering new model for 21st century intergenerational living that balances town and country with wellbeing and access to nature.
This includes 15km of heritage trails, over 410 hectares of integrated green spaces as well as orchard and allotments to make a place where people can reconnect with nature in their daily lives.
Places for People’s CEO, Greg Reed, said: “The UK cannot meet its housing targets without partnerships that deliver differently. Our vision for this development is a new blueprint for modern garden towns, shaped by deep community insight and a commitment to doing things the right way from day one.
“By combining Places for People’s long-term stewardship and social value approach with Barratt Redrow’s exceptional capability to deliver homes at scale and like-minded approach to social value, we can accelerate one of the most significant new communities in the UK.”
David Thomas, Chief Executive for Barratt Redrow, added: “The new joint venture will feature our three brands, Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Redrow, plus Places for People, so giving customers the best possible choice for their new home.
“This is a once-in-a-generation project where we can create a modern garden town, connecting people to nature, and growing with the community.”
