Homes England, supported by the National Housing Bank, and The Hill Group have acquired the 700-acre Cambridge East site, including Cambridge City Airport and surrounding land, from Marshall Group in Cambridge, England, to deliver a major mixed-use development comprising more than 10,000 homes, approximately 9,000 jobs, commercial space, and supporting community infrastructure.

The site includes Cambridge City Airport and the surrounding land, which Marshall will vacate by mid-2029 to facilitate the development. The acquisition positions Homes England and Hill as the master developers of a major urban extension that is expected to transform the eastern edge of Cambridge into a new mixed-use community. Beyond housing and employment opportunities, the masterplan includes schools, healthcare facilities, extensive public green spaces, and supporting infrastructure designed to create a self-sustaining community. The project is intended to address Cambridge's housing shortage while supporting long-term economic growth within the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor. 

A key feature of the project is the collaboration between public and private sector partners. The Cambridge Growth Company, a subsidiary of Homes England, will work alongside The Hill Group to oversee delivery of the scheme. Hill was selected due to its extensive experience in delivering large-scale residential and mixed-use developments, particularly in Cambridge and the South East of England. The partnership aims to accelerate housing delivery while ensuring that infrastructure, services, and community amenities are integrated from the outset rather than added later. The development is also expected to benefit from future transport improvements, including the proposed Cambridge East railway station on the East West Rail network, subject to planning approval and funding. Enhanced connectivity could strengthen links between Cambridge, London, Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Oxford. In addition, the partners are considering the creation of a regional training hub to develop local construction and technical skills, helping to generate long-term employment opportunities alongside the new homes and commercial space.