A gateway for a new era in the UK’s first New Town
A once-in-a-generation regeneration opportunity is underway that will redefine the experience for people arriving into the town.
24 MARCH 2026
As Stevenage approaches the 80th anniversary of its designation as the UK’s first New Town, a once-in-a-generation regeneration opportunity is underway that will redefine the experience for people arriving into the town.
Stevenage Station Gateway will see the creation of 1,000 new homes, up to 60,000 sqm of commercial spaces and create around 1,500 new jobs.
This will be supported by new green space, public areas and improved connections between the station and town centre.
In late 2025, Stevenage Borough Council, supported by the Stevenage Development Board, signed a Development Agreement with Muse supported by ECF, the partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse.
The partnership is now working together to progress work which will create a new district that reflects Stevenage’s growing economy, high growth industries and creates a welcoming gateway that reflects the town’s ambitions.
Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: “The town has a strong track record of attracting high value businesses and supporting SMEs, but to take the town and UK plc to the next level, the town now needs to continue to provide new facilities fit for the 21st Century”.
“The entrance to Stevenage when arriving by rail is unwelcoming and dated – a far cry from the pioneering nature of the town and its businesses,” Henry added. “The development will welcome people to the town and highlight the spirit and community of the UK’s first New Town, bringing our heritage into our future.”
Regeneration and placemaking of this scale require long-term collaboration between public and private partners, which is why Stevenage Borough Council has entered into the agreement with Muse, supported by ECF, to benefit from the partnership’s placemaking capability and investment capacity.
“The world of regeneration is complex and delivering large-scale regeneration, such as that at Stevenage Station Gateway, requires a number of partners who can all bring skills and specialisms,” added Henry.
“The advantage of collaborative working is that so much more can be achieved, and barriers such as lack of expertise can be overcome through combined knowledge and networks.”
Stevenage Station Gateway is also supported by the Stevenage Development Board, which brings together leaders from business, education and the public sector to help guide the town’s economic growth and ensure regeneration aligns with the needs of local employers.
Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of the Stevenage Development Board, said the regeneration is about connectivity and supporting the future of Stevenage’s innovation-led economy.
“Stevenage is home to a range of STEM based businesses and products developed here are attractive to worldwide customers, this is one of the reasons why a new Station Gateway is crucial, as it is the gateway to the city for four million passengers every year,” he said.
“This whole regeneration is a great way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the town and trigger further regeneration of the first New Town.”
The vision for Station Gateway is clear, but to make that a reality requires careful planning, coordination and long-term investment.
Groundwork is already underway including engaging with major employers in the town and progressing the design and planning work needed to unlock the first phase of development.
Andy Howell, Development Director at ECF, says that Stevenage Station Gateway represents the perfect example of the type of complex and mixed-use regeneration that ECF was created to deliver.
“There aren’t many developers that will take on mixed-use projects of this scale. It will be a game-changer for the town centre, but it requires bringing together multiple partners, stakeholders and funding streams to make it happen,” he said.
“A lot of strategic work has gone into getting us to this stage. We’re working closely with the council, Homes England and partners across the town to ensure the development supports the town’s economic growth.”
The early phases will focus on sites around the station that are ready for redevelopment, helping establish the foundations for the wider transformation of the area while improving connectivity across the town centre.
“For us, the opportunity is about improving connectivity, creating vibrancy and delivering high-quality places,” Howell said.
“Town centres today need to support people living, working and spending time there throughout the day and evening.”
As plans progress, Stevenage Station Gateway will play an important role within Stevenage’s wider town centre regeneration programme, creating new homes, jobs and opportunities while supporting the future of the town’s innovation-led economy.