UK Countryside Partnerships Transform Communities and Landscapes

The UK countryside is home to many vibrant communities that are transforming their surroundings through innovative partnerships. These partnerships are bringing people and nature together, creating a more sustainable and thriving environment.

In the North York Moors National Park, for example, a partnership between the local council and conservation groups has led to the creation of a network of footpaths and bridleways, making it easier for people to explore the beautiful moorland scenery.

By working together, these partnerships are also helping to protect the countryside's rich wildlife and natural heritage. In the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a partnership between farmers and conservationists has resulted in the creation of a large area of wildlife-friendly habitat.

This collaborative approach is having a positive impact on local communities, too, by providing new opportunities for recreation and tourism, and helping to preserve the unique character of the countryside.

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Countryside Partnerships has a fantastic legacy of delivering high quality regeneration schemes, which perfectly aligns with Vistry's long-term partnering with clients and commitment to sustainable new communities.

The combination of Countryside Partnerships with Vistry's Partnerships division creates a leading capability across all housing tenures, making it a game-changer in the industry.

Stephen Teagle, the new head of Countryside Partnerships, has been chief executive of Vistry Partnerships since it was formed in 2020, having previously been in charge when it was Galliford Try Partnerships.

The combined business will deliver thousands of homes annually for both the open market and the affordable housing sector, helping to address the UK's housing crisis that requires the delivery of 300,000 new homes a year.

The UK house building industry has just seen a major shake-up with the completion of the merger between Vistry Group and Countryside Partnerships.

Vistry Group is now one of the country's leading homebuilders, with the combined business expected to deliver thousands of homes annually for both the open market and the affordable housing sector.

The merger has been hailed as a 'game-changer' by its chief executive, Greg Fitzgerald, who sees it as a historic day for the business.

The expanded partnerships business will be called Countryside Partnerships and will be headed up by Stephen Teagle, who has been chief executive of Vistry Partnerships since 2020.

This combination creates a leading capability across all housing tenures at a time when the need for affordable housing has never been keener.

The combined business revenue is expected to increase to more than £3bn per annum in the medium term, making it one of the largest house builders in the UK.

The merger has created a new company that will become the second biggest house builder in the UK, behind Barratt Homes.

Vistry and Countryside – the fifth and seventh biggest builders before the merger – have now become a single entity with a combined business.

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The Riverside Mark Bromley Estate Regeneration Success is a prime example of Countryside Partnerships in action. This project has transformed a neglected area into a thriving community hub.

The estate was previously plagued by high crime rates and anti-social behavior, but thanks to the partnership's efforts, these issues have significantly decreased. In fact, crime rates dropped by 50% in just one year.

The partnership brought together local residents, community groups, and local authorities to create a comprehensive regeneration plan. This collaborative approach ensured that the needs and aspirations of the community were at the forefront of the project.

One of the key initiatives was the creation of a community garden, which not only provided a green space for residents but also helped to reduce local pollution. The garden is now a beloved community asset, with over 100 residents involved in its maintenance.

The partnership's success can be measured in various ways, including the significant reduction in crime and the increased sense of community pride. The project has also provided valuable skills and training for local residents, helping to break the cycle of unemployment and poverty.

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