Regeneration drive launched to revive delayed town centre schemes
Willmott Dixon has launched a dedicated national regeneration and development business aimed at accelerating complex housing, student accommodation and public-private partnership projects across England and Wales.
The new division, Willmott Dixon Developments, has been created as councils and developers continue to face growing challenges around stalled regeneration schemes, viability pressures and unlocking difficult urban sites.
The business was officially launched at UKREiiF in Leeds and will focus on four key areas:
- Regeneration and development management
- Residential and direct investment
- Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)
- Public-private partnership (PPP) projects
The company said the new structure brings together its existing regeneration, development and investment operations under a single national platform.
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The move reflects increasing demand from councils and public sector organisations for delivery partners capable of progressing complex multi-site regeneration schemes amid ongoing planning, funding and viability constraints.
Firm already involved in major regeneration projects
Willmott Dixon Developments is currently working on several large-scale regeneration schemes, including projects in Torbay, Great Yarmouth and Weymouth.
In Great Yarmouth, the business is leading masterplanning and planning strategy work linked to the North Quay mixed-use redevelopment, while in Dorset it is involved in a regeneration partnership with Dorset Council alongside joint venture partner Milligan.
The company said its approach focuses on delivering portfolios of regeneration sites rather than standalone developments.
Industry facing challenges moving projects from planning to delivery
David Atkinson, Director of Development and Investment at Willmott Dixon Developments, said many local authorities were struggling to move projects from concept stage into construction.
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He said: “We exist to solve the problem we hear most often from council and university partners: how to move stalled or complex sites from ambition to delivery.
“Our role is to act as a single, accountable partner that can shape the scheme, structure the funding, share risk where appropriate, and bring the certainty that comes with knowing how a project will be built.”
Atkinson said the company’s experience across development, investment and construction delivery gave it a stronger position in the regeneration market.
He added: “That blend of development, investment and delivery insight is rare in the market, and it is why we are leading long-term, multi-site regeneration programmes in places like Torbay, Great Yarmouth and Dorset.”
Construction expertise positioned as key regeneration advantage
Graham Dundas, Chief Executive Officer of Willmott Dixon, said the new business would focus on helping councils and public sector partners deliver viable regeneration projects more quickly.
He commented: “Over that period our specialists have developed a track record for unlocking complex sites, turning early-stage ambition into viable, fundable and deliverable schemes.”
Dundas added: “By combining genuine development and investment expertise with the construction insight that makes plans buildable, we are well placed to play a significant role in shaping the places this country needs.”
