Vistry Group

Last week Vistry welcomed partners Peabody and TfL’s Places for London to our Barkingside Yard site in Ilford. The visit marked the completion of the first 23 homes (of a total 98) to be delivered on this one hundred per cent affordable housing development.   It was great to receive such positive feedback from our partners and to welcome guests Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council and Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley.   A tree was planted, within what will form part of the resident communal garden, to commemorate the significant progress achieved.   We’re looking forward to seeing this project complete later this Spring, which will transform a former builder’s yard into much-needed affordable housing will provide homes for those on Redbridge Council’s waiting list.   Daniel King, Chair at Vistry Group, commented: “It is fantastic to see the significant progress made to-date at the Barkingside Yard development. Within the past six months our robust partnership with Peabody and Places for London has ensured the build programme has moved forward at pace, from topping out, to the completion of the first new homes; a significant achievement for all parties involved.”

We are pleased to announce that we have completed contracts for a major development site in Hinckley, Leicestershire. With outline planning permission for 475 new homes, this £140m project will help address the region's housing shortage and provide much-needed, well-connected homes for the community.   Approximately 30% of the homes will be affordable, 20% will cater to the private rented sector, and 50% will be available for sale through our Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and Countryside Homes brands. All homes will be constructed using modern timber frame panels produced at our local Vistry Works factory in Bardon, reducing CO2 emissions by 14,460kg per home and making the construction process more sustainable.   Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “Completing the purchase of this high-quality site is hugely exciting as it is destined to become Vistry’s flagship development in Leicestershire, providing 475 mixed-tenure homes for the area…”   We are excited to be brining forward a new mixed-tenure development that will provide much needed modern and well-connected homes to wide range of people in the area.  

To recognise World Cancer Day we have teamed up with our charity partner Cancer Research UK (CRUK) for a special Cancer Basics webinar. Colleagues will have the opportunity to learn more about reducing their risk of cancer and how to spot the early signs. Through our charity partnership, we hope to hold numerous events and education sessions throughout the year, encouraging colleagues to take care of themselves and know more about early detection.

We are excited to announce that Vistry Group has acquired land in Bulkington, Warwickshire, to develop 149 new homes in partnership with ORBIT Homes . This new development, named St James Gate, will provide much-needed one, two, three, and four-bedroom homes, with 74 affordable properties for shared ownership, social rent, and affordable rent.   The project will create a vibrant new community, addressing the region's housing demand while contributing to local economic growth. The homes will be built using sustainable materials, including open panel timber frames, significantly reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy costs for future residents. Paul Stafford, Managing Director of Vistry South Central Midlands, said: “We are excited to acquire this land and forge this deal with Orbit Homes that will see much-needed family homes delivered in Bulkington and create a well-balanced community which will help drive economic growth in the area…”   We are looking forward to delivering quality, affordable homes for families. Work will begin immediately, with open-market homes expected to go on sale in Spring 2025, and the first residents anticipated to move in by the end of the year.

We’re delighted to announce the successful handover of 251 high-quality affordable and PRS homes across three of our sites in Heybridge, Runwell, and Mile End. These achievements mark a significant step in addressing the growing demand for quality mixed-tenure homes while supporting the development of sustainable communities. At Westcombe Park in Heybridge, we have handed over the remaining three PRS homes to our partner, Leaf Living on Phase 1. For this particular phase, these homes were the last of 55 PRS units. Over at St Luke’s Park in Runwell, the last four homes have been delivered in collaboration with our Housing Association partner CHP. These final homes complete the 25 housing association units in Phase 5. Most recently, in Mile End, Colchester the final PRS homes were handed over to Leaf Living. These homes were the last of 171 new PRS homes being delivered as part of a project that started two and a half years ago, with works completed in December 2024. This is a fantastic milestone in delivering much-needed, high-quality mixed-tenure homes across this region. A huge thank you to our dedicated teams and partners for their hard work and collaboration in creating vibrant, long-lasting communities.

We are excited to support New Homes Week 2025! This annual celebration highlights the many benefits of new build homes, from vibrant communities to energy efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and peace of mind. Whether you're a homeowner, potential buyer, or part of the industry, it’s a great opportunity to showcase how new builds are shaping sustainable, thriving communities. New build homes also offer significant savings on energy and water costs, with energy-efficient systems and water-saving fixtures that help homeowners save on bills while supporting a more sustainable future. Let’s make #NewHomesWeek2025 a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and the communities we’re building together.

We are delighted to share that our company charity for 2025 is Cancer Research UK (CRUK).   A charity and cause close to many of our hearts, this brilliant charity was selected following a colleague vote.   We’re looking forward to raising funds and awareness of its work across our regions as well as learn more about how to reduce the risk of cancer and spot the early signs.   Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime and we are proud to support the research that will beat it. https://lnkd.in/ew5EtiKe

We are excited to unveil a unique new mural at Greenwich Millennium Village, created by students from Millennium Primary School as part of a special project with Countryside Homes (part of Vistry Group), Taylor Wimpey plc, and the Mayor of London. Students from Reception to Year Six were invited to design pieces that reflect their local community and environment. Their vibrant artwork has been transformed into a colourful hoarding, adding life to the area during construction. Tracey Mayne, Sales and Marketing Director at Vistry Eastern Counties, shared: "We’re delighted to have worked closely with Millennium Primary School on this fantastic project. It’s been a great opportunity for the children to get involved creatively while contributing to the local environment they are part of. Their hard work and talent will be on full display for everyone in the neighbourhood to see…” This project highlights the strong bond between the school and the growing community at GMV, showcasing creativity, unity, and local talent.

Throughout 2024 colleagues went above and beyond supporting SSAFA the Armed Forces charity, and we are delighted to have broken our record for the most raised in a charity partnership.   Holding events and taking on challenges over the year, Vistry colleagues raised a record-breaking £686,072 for SSAFA. Clare Bates, Chief People Officer and General Counsel, said: “Vistry Group is proud of its commitments to the armed forces community, and we are delighted with the success of our 2024 partnership with SSAFA. The dedication of Vistry colleagues and the support from our supply chain for this worthy cause has been outstanding. “As an Armed Forces Covenant Signatory and with many veterans and reservists within the business or families of those who have served or are serving, colleagues have been filled with enthusiasm and gone above and beyond raising funds and awareness for the charity.   “SSAFA has really resonated with colleagues throughout the business, and this is demonstrated by our record-breaking final fundraising figure.”   Sir Andrew, SSAFA CEO said: Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, SSAFA’s CEO, commented, saying: “SSAFA is immensely proud of the help we provide, in many different ways, to around 60,000 serving members of the British Armed Forces, veterans and their families each year.   “And so we were delighted that Vistry Group chose SSAFA to be its charity partner for 2024.   “Vistry Group is a great supporter of the military community, not least by reskilling and employing veterans and reservists; It rightly holds an Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Gold Award, and our values and commitments strongly align, so we knew Vistry, and its staff would make a huge effort. “However, even the most optimistic among us couldn’t have predicted not only the staggering amount raised, but the supreme effort each Vistry staff member put in to make it happen.   “My sincere thanks to all at Vistry for their remarkable achievement.” https://lnkd.in/esUtuZHf

A huge well done and congratulations to Louis Brooker, South East Midlands who won the National Site Manager of the Year award in the LABC Warranty Site Manager Awards last night. 🏘️ 🥇