We have officially started work on our flagship Hilltop Park development in Pennywell, Sunderland, our largest affordable housing scheme to date.
The project will create 294 high-quality, energy-efficient homes for social rent and shared ownership, helping to meet the city’s urgent housing need. The development will be built by both Gentoo and RE:GEN North East working collaboratively, combining expertise to ensure timely delivery of high-quality homes.
Hilltop Park is a major milestone in the regeneration of Pennywell and forms a cornerstone of our Affordable Homes Programme, which will deliver more than 750 new homes in Sunderland by 2030. Supported by grant funding from Homes England, the development reflects our long-term commitment to building sustainable communities and improving lives.
Louise Bassett, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo Group, said: “Hilltop Park is a landmark development for Gentoo and for Sunderland. By working in partnership with RE:GEN North East, Sunderland City Council and Homes England, we’re tackling housing need head-on and delivering sustainable, affordable homes that help communities thrive. I’m confident this development will transform the local area socially and economically, and it shows what can be achieved when we work together.”
Homes will include a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, two-bedroom bungalows and two-bedroom apartments, all built to high sustainability standards with features such as air source heat pumps, solar panels, smart meters and EV charging points. Public open spaces, play areas and visitor parking will create a welcoming environment for families and the wider community.
Lee Francis, Chief Executive Officer of RE:GEN Group, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Gentoo on this project to bring new homes to Sunderland. Our company’s roots are here, and everything we do is driven by our commitment to enhancing the lives of local families and the wider community.
“We are proud to be able to bring more employment opportunities to this site through our dedicated Academy and to invest in social-value projects that are best positioned to make a meaningful impact where it is needed most.”
The development has also received strong backing from Homes England. Shahi Islam, Director of Affordable Housing Grants at Homes England, said: “As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting stakeholders of all sizes to achieve their ambitions.
“Hilltop Park is an excellent example of how we work with our partners to build new communities that people can be proud to call home. It’s great to see Gentoo breaking ground on their largest and most ambitious housing scheme to date, and we look forward to seeing the site progress over the coming years.”
Hilltop Park is the latest chapter in our long-standing commitment to revitalising Pennywell. Over the past decade, we have invested millions into improving housing quality, community facilities and neighbourhood safety. This development completes the regeneration in Pennywell which will provide a vibrant, sustainable community for generations to come.
Local leaders have welcomed the investment. Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, Minister for Women and Equalities and Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South, added: “This Labour government is promised to get Britain building again and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
“By building more affordable homes we’re boosting economic growth, creating good local jobs and helping people get onto the housing ladder.
“This is about action: spades in the ground, breathing new life into communities, and families finally getting the homes they need.”
The development will also deliver wider social and economic benefits, including providing affordable homes for more than 1,500 people, creating 198 jobs during construction, generating approximately £66.8 million in economic output and creating an additional council tax income of £588,997.
The first homes at Hilltop Park are expected to be completed by summer 2027, with full completion scheduled for 2030, delivering at pace to accelerate the delivery of sustainable affordable homes, which is a key priority for the North East Mayor Kim McGuinness
A big thank you to our key consultants and partners whose expertise has been pivotal in reaching this milestone; RNJ Partnership, Blake Hopkinson Architecture, Billinghurst George & Partners, and Pegasus Group.
