In a strategic move poised to reshape Hemel Hempstead and beyond, Dacorum Borough Council and The Hill Group have launched a 50:50 long-term investment partnership to accelerate affordable housing delivery and drive major regeneration projects across the borough.
The new joint venture, named the Dacorum Investment Partnership, will target key development sites, prioritising the transformation of Hemel Hempstead town centre. This aligns with the Council’s ambitious Town Centre Vision, which aims to reinvigorate the area into a vibrant cultural and leisure destination. The initiative also supports broader goals around financial sustainability, with a focus on creating long-term income streams for the Council through mixed-use schemes.
Hill, the UK’s second-largest privately owned housebuilder, brings a 26-year legacy of placemaking and urban regeneration to the partnership. The company will leverage its €1.7bn development pipeline to deliver a mix of affordable and private sale homes, supported by robust expertise in planning, procurement and masterplanning. For investors, the opportunity to engage early in a pipeline of well-connected, design-led developments—supported by public-sector alignment—offers an attractive and stable prospect in an uncertain market.
“This partnership marks an exciting chapter for Dacorum, and we are proud to bring our expertise to support the borough’s housing and regeneration ambitions. At Hill, we are passionate about creating sustainable and inclusive communities that have a lasting positive impact,” said Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive at Hill. “Together we will lay the foundations for a thriving, sustainable and inclusive future for the borough.”
The partnership’s first strategic business plan is in development and will identify priority sites for delivery. The plan is expected to focus on residential-led schemes, with potential for complementary commercial and community infrastructure. With approximately 2,800 homes delivered last year and more than 10,200 homes with planning consent, Hill is well-placed to scale up development across the borough. The inclusion of Hill’s modular housing initiative also introduces innovative off-site construction opportunities that could accelerate build times and reduce costs.
“The new Dacorum Investment Partnership is a groundbreaking initiative for us as a Council. It’s an exciting opportunity to work in partnership to develop affordable housing and bring vital regeneration to the borough,” added Councillor Sally Symington, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council. “It provides an approach to involve the private sector at an early stage to leverage their expertise from the outset.”
The partnership not only addresses urgent housing needs but also aligns with wider investor interest in ESG-led developments, unlocking a portfolio of schemes that will combine place, purpose and long-term profitability.
People mentioned:
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Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive, The Hill Group
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Councillor Sally Symington, Leader, Dacorum Borough Council
Companies mentioned:
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The Hill Group – Residential developer, investment partner
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Dacorum Borough Council – Local authority, investment partner
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