We've broken ground on our largest affordable housing development in Sunderland to date

Gentoo Group has officially started work on its flagship Hilltop Park development in Pennywell, the organisation’s largest affordable housing scheme to date.

The project, which is on on the brownfield land between Chester Road and Presthope Road, will create 294 “high-quality, energy-efficient homes” for social rent and shared ownership, which the group says will help to meet the city’s urgent housing need.

The development will be built by both Gentoo and RE:GEN North East.

Part of the wider regeneration of Pennywell, the project forms a cornerstone of Gentoo’s Affordable Homes Programme, which will deliver more than 750 new homes in Sunderland by 2030 and is supported by grant funding from Homes England.

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 also be created. The first homes at Hilltop Park are expected to be completed by summer 2027, with full completion scheduled for 2030.

Lee Francis, Chief Executive Officer of RE:GEN Group, said: “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.”

Increasing the country’s supply of affordable homes

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 will complete Gentoo’s multi-million pound project to revitalise Pennywell.

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: “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.”

Gentoo says 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.