The English Cities Fund expansion symbolises the placemaking power of public-private partnerships

Bringing together three of the country’s leading regeneration and investment organisations, ECF has curated the knowledge, resources and experience of a unique ‘supergroup’. It is this public-private partnership which allows us to unlock opportunities and catalyse investment in places that others overlook.

As our funding doubles to £400m, now is an opportunity to reflect on our impact and look forward to new challenges and new partnerships, building on the momentum we have already generated.

Our focus is not simply on the numbers: of new homes, square feet of shops and leisure, or jobs created. These matter, but success is about creating and supporting communities economically, socially and environmentally.

“Our focus is not simply on the numbers: of new homes, square feet of shops and leisure, or jobs created. These matter, but success is about creating and supporting communities economically, socially, and environmentally”

Our long-term, strategic approach to placemaking and creating a positive social impact means we deliver neighbourhoods which prioritise the lived experience of communities.

Working with our partners at Millbay, we have delivered this by effecting big changes in Plymouth’s historic docks, turning a derelict, brownfield site into a waterfront community and destination. By working closely with Plymouth City Council, we have reconnected the historic harbour to the city and contributed to its ongoing renaissance.

While new homes were critical, we’ve also refurbished the marina to stimulate activity in Millbay’s historic inner harbour. This has been evidenced by the hosting of prestigious sailing events such as the America’s Cup in 2011 and SailGP in 2021 and 2022.

We also supported the development of Plymouth’s 1,000-pupil School of Creative Arts, working with the council to put leisure and culture right at its heart. Millbay is on its way to becoming a thriving new neighbourhood connected to the wider urban environment. It is defined by its unique character, reflecting the heritage of the waterside location.

Our approach also allows us to explore and deliver new solutions at pace. At Greenhaus in Salford we built 96 affordable homes in partnership with housing provider Salix and Salford City Council.

Each home is built to Passivhaus-certified standards, meaning they require 70%-90% less energy to run than a traditional home.

Greenhaus has helped residents reduce their energy usage, cut their carbon footprint and save money on their bills.

More than this, our approach has focused the benefits of a Passivhaus home at those who need it most. Those on lower incomes have reduced bills, a safe and warm home, and more money in their pockets.

“Success depends on creating places that reflect local communities’ wishes and desires. Public engagement and consultation are never an afterthought, but a fundamental aspect of our work across the country”

It is the strengths of ECF in combination with willing and ambitious partners from the public and private sector, such as Salix and Salford City Council, which enable us to deliver for local communities over the long term.

In St Helens, we have forged a partnership which will span 20 years to regenerate the town centre. The heritage and cultural pedigree of St Helens deserved a town centre which enhanced and celebrated its assets.

With challenging market conditions locking traditional investors out, our approach has allowed ECF to develop a solution in partnership with St Helens Borough Council and the local community.

This is a shared vision of a town centre which is child and family-friendly, sustainable and welcoming for businesses, residents and visitors – underpinned by ECF’s blend of public and private expertise.

A new market hall will be part of a diverse new place which includes a 120-bedroom hotel, 64 new homes and 11,000 sq ft of modern retail and public spaces.

The market hall will act as the hub of the town, creating a vibrant destination while boosting the local economy. Where the market has been unable to step in, we are delivering.

We also recognise that success depends on creating places that reflect local communities’ wishes and desires. Public engagement and consultation are never an afterthought, but a fundamental aspect of our work across the country.

At Bradford City Village, we are working to unlock a vision which, if realised, will lead to a new 1,000-home neighbourhood in lockstep with the local community. Here, ECF, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Homes England and Bradford Council are engaging with residents and businesses to develop a vision for a green, healthy, sustainable and community-friendly city-centre neighbourhood.

We are committed to uncovering and unlocking local people’s inspirational ideas for this new destination. To date, we have held community roadshows, undertaken focus groups with young people and local colleges, met local faith representatives, and much more.

Equipped with over 400 responses, this initial phase of consultation is crucial for creating a vision for Bradford City Village that matches local ambitions and desires for the area.

While funding for ECF has doubled to £400m, our mission remains consistent. Our pioneering, long-term approach has driven genuine change across the country.

As it is in Salford, London, Plymouth, Stockport, Bradford, Liverpool, Wakefield and St Helens, our work is about more than homes, shops and public spaces. It’s about people, their lives and their futures. We want to go further and work with more partners willing to share risks and returns in new locations. We are committed to finding solutions to problems and delivering exciting and forward-thinking regeneration. Engage with us, talk to us, and we can work together to create new, vibrant and diverse communities.

The possibilities and potential for delivering transformative urban regeneration across the UK are growing, and we continue to seek partnership opportunities to realise regeneration aspirations across the country.

Sir Michael Lyons, chair, English Cities Fund