Major Regeneration Plans Submitted for Hull's East Bank Urban Village
Plans have been officially submitted to launch the first phase of Hull's East Bank Urban Village, a project set to become one of the city's largest ever regeneration initiatives. This ambitious scheme aims to breathe new life into a historically significant but long-declined area through the creation of a sustainable, vibrant neighbourhood.
Transforming the Eastern Riverbank
The East Bank Urban Village will completely transform the eastern bank of the River Hull through a partnership between lead development partner ECF (English Cities Fund - a partnership between Homes England, L&G, and Muse) and Hull City Council. Once a vital part of Hull's maritime industry, this area has seen significant decline since the mid-20th century and is now primarily occupied by surface parking and vacant brownfield land.
Detailed designs for Phase 1 are now with city planners, with the hybrid application also including outline plans for the wider neighbourhood that will deliver approximately 850 new homes once complete. The project represents a major step forward in Hull's urban renewal efforts.
Creating a Sustainable New Neighbourhood
The development will introduce a mix of affordable houses and apartments alongside shops, restaurants, leisure facilities, and other neighbourhood uses. A network of streets, plazas, green spaces, and a new riverside promenade will enhance connectivity throughout the site, creating active travel routes that encourage walking and cycling.
Phase 1 will create the core of the new neighbourhood, delivering 37 townhouses and 78 apartments across two buildings. All these initial homes will be affordable, helping to meet local demand and ensuring East Bank is accessible to a wide range of people. Further phases will deliver more than 700 build-to-rent and affordable apartments across the wider site.
Phased Development Timeline
The project is to be delivered in four distinct phases, with construction of Phase 1 scheduled to begin in early 2027. Phase 4 is expected to be completed by 2040, marking the culmination of this transformative 13-year development programme.
Community Input and Feedback
Ahead of the planning submission, a series of community conversations was held last autumn, led by the council and ECF. Local residents had the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback that directly informed the masterplan. Key suggestions included:
- More green community spaces
- Improved parking and traffic management
- Enhanced biodiversity measures
- New uses for existing historical landmarks including the former Lock Keeper's Cottage
Official Statements on the Project
Raife Gale, senior development manager at ECF, commented: "Local people have been supportive - and so insightful - in offering their feedback, and this has all fed into the final planning application we've submitted. Our plan is to deliver a sustainable new neighbourhood where people want to live, work and spend time - and key to this is creating quality homes, attractive public spaces and new leisure and business opportunities."
Chris Jackson, director of regeneration and partnerships at Hull City Council, added: "It is pleasing that the council has been able to submit plans for phase one of East Bank Urban Village. This is a significant regeneration project which will help to meet the council's housing targets, revitalise a long-term brownfield site and also support both Hull's Old Town and city centre economies."
Funding and Strategic Importance
The project is supported by £9.8 million in Government-backed Levelling Up Partnership funding, which will underpin enabling works and early infrastructure delivery. East Bank Urban Village will make a significant contribution to the council's ambition to deliver 2,500 new homes within Hull city centre as part of its Local Plan. It will also act as a catalyst site for Hull's recently endorsed City Centre Vision, building on recent successes including the completed redevelopment of the Museums Quarter and Old Town.
This major regeneration initiative represents a new chapter for Hull's riverside, ensuring this historically important area continues to play a vital role for future generations while addressing contemporary housing needs and creating sustainable urban spaces.
