East Bank Urban Village
A creative place to live, work and play
We’re developing a vision to transform a forgotten part of Hull into a lively and exciting contemporary urban village.
Introducing our plans for East Bank Urban Village
Hull City Council, in partnership with ECF (comprised of Muse, Legal & General, and Homes England), is developing plans for a vibrant new sustainable residential-led neighbourhood in the heart of Hull.
East Bank Urban Village will deliver up to 850 new homes in a mix of affordable and build-to-rent (BTR) apartments and townhouses, alongside commercial spaces, amenities and new green spaces.
Kickstarted by £9.875 million in Levelling Up Partnership funding, the scheme represents a significant long-term investment in Hull’s future. It is anticipated that delivery will be phased over four stages, with construction of Phase 1 starting in 2027 and final completion of Phase 4 anticipated in 2040.
Introducing ECF
Homes England
UK Government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England informs and steers the partners at ECF on policy and insight.
Legal & General
Legal & General Capital, acting as the investor, and LGIM Real Assets, acting as the investment manager, provide long term investment into ECF.
Muse
Muse, the placemaking partner for the ECF partnership, has a strong UK-wide track record of delivering complex, people-centred developments that are high-quality, sustainable and built to last.
Artist's impression of the neighbourhood as viewed from Scale Lane bridge
Since being named the UK City of Culture in 2017, Hull has seen significant changes, particularly within the city centre. It has helped to both re-define and celebrate the city’s identity, while also driving investment, creativity and civic pride. Major regeneration schemes like the Fruit Market, Albion Square, and the Maritime City project have brought new life to historic areas, enhancing Hull’s appeal as a creative place to live, work and play.
Our proposals for the East Bank Urban Village aim to build on this momentum by unlocking the next phase of the city’s development. East Bank Urban Village marks the next chapter in Hull’s ongoing regeneration journey. Rather than ‘completing’ the city centre, it is envisaged that the project will act as a catalyst for further investment in the city, and the wider regeneration of Hull.
The bigger picture
The site
Once an important part of Hull’s maritime industry, this area has seen a significant decline in use since the mid-20th Century. Today, the site is primarily occupied by surface parking and vacant brownfield land.
The site is bound by the River Hull to the west, Tower Street to the east, and the Tower Street Car Park to the south. Beyond the Tower Street boundary, the surrounding area consists mainly of light industrial and commercial properties.
Why here?
This site offers a fantastic opportunity to support Hull’s ongoing regeneration by creating a vibrant new city centre neighbourhood.
Some of the key reasons for using the location include:
Unlocking underused land- the site is currently underutilised, with several parts having fallen into disrepair over time. Its transformation would revitalise a neglected part of the city
Brownfield redevelopment - using land previously developed on will help to protect Hull’s green spaces
Connectivity- the site’s central location offers easy access to roads, public transport, and local services, supports the creation of a walkable, low-carbon neighbourhood
Strategic alignment – the proposals are consistent with Hull City Council’s Local Plan, which designates the site for mixed-use development
Our Vision
The Plans for East Bank Urban Village will breathe new life into an underused part of the city, unlocking its potential and turning it into a vibrant residential-led neighbourhood.
Our plans look to deliver up to 850 homes in a mix of high-quality apartments and townhouses. The initial phase will focus on affordable housing, with future phases introducing build-to-rent (BTR) homes.
With a mix of housing types, alongside green spaces, commercial areas, and revitalised heritage assets, East Bank Urban Village will support a diverse and inclusive community for individuals, families, and households at all stages of life.
The plans also include reinstating the riverside walkway, improving connectivity with new walking and cycling routes through the site, and creating space for shops, cafés, and local businesses.
Drawing on the character of Hull’s historic Old Town, East Bank Urban Village will be a neighbourhood that reflects the city’s heritage while offering a contemporary, connected lifestyle in the heart of the city.
Our phased approach
East Bank Urban Village will come forward in phases over a number of years, ensuring that the development is carefully managed to deliver high quality public spaces and housing, and that local people and businesses have opportunities to input into the development at every stage.
Planning permission will be sought through a hybrid application, with Phase 1 forming the detailed element and the subsequent phases coming forward in outline.
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Phase 1
Phase 1 would establish the core of the new neighbourhood, creating the landing for the Scale Lane bridge on the eastern bank of the River Hull and the connection to the existing Trinity Buoy Shed.
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Phase 2
This phase would deliver c.270 build-to-rent (BTR) apartments across three buildings, form the southern landing point for Scale Lane Bridge, and improve links to nearby areas, including The Deep and the Fruit Market.
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Phase 3
Phase 3 would add c.300 BTR apartments in two taller buildings with ground-floor commercial space, revitalising the Drypool Basin as a vibrant public area. Phase 4 would complete the neighbourhood with 176 BTR homes across two buildings and a new residential courtyard.
Design
Materiality
The material palette has been carefully chosen to reflect Hull’s architectural heritage and coastal setting, while also giving the new neighbourhood a refined, modern character.
Brick is the primary material, complemented by glazed brick, concrete, and metalwork to create texture and quality. Architectural details such as arched entrances, lighting, and signage will define key routes and spaces, helping to create a strong sense of place and connection to Hull’s identity.
Sustainability
Sustainability is central to the design of East Bank Urban Village.
The neighbourhood will be designed to minimise environmental impact, support healthy living, and help Hull City Council achieve its target of becoming a carbon neutral city.
Our sustainable design features:
Passivhaus principles to reduce energy demand and minimise the need for mechanical heating or cooling.
Sustainable materials such as low-carbon concrete, recycled content, and locally sourced timber.
East Bank Urban Village will follow the principles of Hull’s “Living With Water” project, including sustainable drainage systems throughout the neighbourhood.
Building heights
Building heights and forms are varied to reflect Hull’s traditional low-rise character, with taller elements referencing the city’s landmark structures like the Minster and the dome of the Guildhall. The scale of the proposed buildings varies, attracting and supporting the needs of a diverse community.
Landscape Design
Inspired by the site’s rich industrial and ecological history, our landscape plans seek to create a distinctive and welcoming place, designed for people to enjoy, connect, and feel part of a thriving community.
A connected neighbourhood
A key objective of the plans is to enhance connectivity and access through the site, which will be achieved through the creation of a clear network of streets, routes and pathways.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be prioritised, with dedicated walkways and cycle paths to encourage active forms of travel both within the site and to nearby areas, helping to connect the new neighbourhood with the rest of the city.
The main route into the site for pedestrians and cyclists will be along a regenerated Tower Street and onto Scale Lane Bridge.
We’re really keen to hear what you think about our plans for East Bank Urban Village.
Come along to one of our in-person drop-in events to meet the project team, view the proposals and tell us your views.
If you’re unable to attend the events, please don’t worry as all of the information that will be shown is available to view by clicking the link above.
Get involved
The Community Conversation on our plans for East Bank Urban Village is open between Wednesday 20 August and Wednesday 1 October 2025.
If you would like to tell us what you think, the best way to do so is by clicking the link below to fill out our online questionnaire:
Come and meet the team
Have a question?
If you have any questions about our proposals or the engagement process, please feel free to get in touch with us via email: info@eastbank-hull.com
Alternatively, you can also give us a call on: 0808 196 28 26
Once the consultation has closed, we will carefully consider all feedback received before submitting a hybrid planning application later in the year.
These will take place:
Trinity Market, Trinity House Lane (HU1 2JH):
Friday 29 August, 12pm - 5pmVictoria Dock Village Hall, South Bridge Road (HU9 1TL):
Tuesday 9 September, 2:30pm - 4:45pmLittle Learners Day Nursery, South Bridge Road (HU9 1TL): Tuesday 9 September 6:30pm - 8pm