Positive change &strong communities

We are community creators. Working with community groups, charity partners and local events, we’re creating positive change that lasts for generations.

Four people are standing in a grassy cemetery, gathered around a newly planted tree. They are holding gardening tools, including shovels and a watering can, indicating they are participating in a tree planting activity. Gravestones are visible in the background, reinforcing the setting as a cemetery.

Infrastructure ledcommunity creators

Creating communities is what we do. We build integrated communities that challenge issues of loneliness and promote healthy living in enhanced natural environments. We work with community groups, charities and stakeholders to identify what infrastructure is needed when planning new homes. Together with Plunkett UK, we create successful community owned and run businesses.

We’re infrastructure first – building community owned facilities early in the development, so new and existing residents can enjoy the benefits. We deliver the infrastructure and dynamic flow to support the development of vibrant and connected communities. Our commitment goes beyond the delivery of high-quality homes, providing access to inspiring green spaces and thriving local neighbourhoods.

Together, we create award winning sustainable, infrastructure led communities.

Woodgate - how to create aninclusive rural community

We’ve partnered with Plunkett UK to create a vision on building sustainable, thriving and inclusive rural communities where everyone is welcome. The whitepaper makes the case for an honest conversation about how we can deliver new communities where everyone feels welcome.

Putting this work into action is Woodgate, our new community of 619 homes on the edge of Pease Pottage. Centred around a village green and play area, a thriving, brand-new community has come to life.

Home to St Catherine’s Hospice, a brand new £4.1 million primary school, and the Community Hub. Gifted by us to St Catherine’s and the community, the Hub features a café, meeting spaces and a community owned shop.

Download our whitepaper
  • A £4.1m new primary school

    Opened in 2021, early in the development construction, Woodgate Primary Academy is already a key part of the new community.

  • A mixed use Community Hub

    The Woodgate Hub serves as the central meeting spot for the new community, and hosts activities from mummy and me classes to yoga.

  • Community owned shop

    Working together with Plunkett, Woodgate hosts the first community owned business on a new build development.

Image gallery

A man in an orange high visibility vest stands with a takeaway coffee cup in front of the counter of the Woodgate Cafe. A lady behind the camera smiles. Pastries, crisps and drinks are on display.
A shop exterior with large glass windows. The windows display circular light green stickers with white text reading "WOODGATE SHOP AT PEASE POTTAGE BY THE COMMUNITY." Reflections in the glass reveal trees and buildings in the background.
A man standing in front of a counter of a community owned shop with a selection of vegetables and fruit.
The entrance of Woodgate Primary Academy features a sign displaying the school's name, logo, headteacher's name, contact information, and website. In the foreground, a father bends down to speak with his daughter, who is wearing a school uniform and carrying a backpack. The background showcases the school’s modern building with a pitched roof and large windows.
A person walks past a modern building with large glass windows. A blue banner on the exterior reads "NOW OPEN" and "SHOP," indicating a retail space. Above the entrance, a sign reads "WOODCOTE COMMUNITY HUB."
A café employee wearing a green polo shirt with a name tag and a "CAFÉ" logo holds a plate with a sandwich and fries. In the background, two people sit at a table, engaged in conversation, with large windows and indoor plants visible. The setting suggests a casual dining environment.
Three adults walk through a park with green grass, fallen leaves, trees, and bushes. One adult carries a child as they stroll together. A modern building with a triangular roof and large windows stands in the background. The scene captures a casual, everyday moment outdoors.
A display of fresh vegetables in a market or grocery store, featuring zucchinis in a blue box on the top left, carrots in a wooden crate on the top right, and butternut squashes and cauliflowers on the lower shelf. The produce is neatly arranged, highlighting its freshness and variety.
A modern commercial building hold the Woodgate Hub, the Woodgate café and the Woodgate Shop. It has a wooden façade and large glass windows, featuring a pitched roof. The building is located on a paved corner with a sign reading "Foxglove Place," surrounded by similar structures and greenery.
A modern café at Woodgate with a clean and well-organized design. A customer stands at the counter while a staff member is behind it. The counter displays bottled drinks, water bottles, and an assortment of pastries and cakes. A menu board on the wall lists various items with prices.
A community owned shop interior with shelves stocked with snacks, canned goods, and beverages. Refrigerated sections on the left display drinks, while the center and right shelves hold various grocery items. Large windows allow natural light to illuminate the organized, clean space
An aerial view of Woodgate Primary School. A play area, and sports courts can be seen.
A smiling woman in a white polo shirt and beige apron stands next to a display case filled with various cakes and pastries, in a bright cafe environment.
Two people sitting at a table in the Woodgate café. The table has a heart-shaped sign with the number 21, green napkins, cutlery, and two cups—one being held by a woman. Large windows behind them reveal trees and a village green, with plants on a ledge near the seating area.
A person is holding a ripe orange in one hand while reaching for a paper bag with the other hand. Behind them, wooden crates filled with oranges are visible, showcasing a vibrant array of fresh fruit, while a lower crate contains red apples. The setting is a community owned shop.
Double glass doors featuring circular signage for "CAFE" and "HUB" at Woodgate, Pease Pottage, with pull handles and the word "PULL" displayed on both sides.
An aerial shot of the entrance to the Woodgate Primary School. The roof is corrugated, and the entrance has a wooden frame in a nordic style.
A man stands at the counter of the Woodgate cafe, being served by a lady behind the counter. A range of pastries, cakes and snacks are on display.
Image of the 4.1 million pound new primary school at Woodgate at Pease Pottage, delivered by Thakeham. Building is single storey and build in a modern style with wood and bricks.
A person wearing a beige apron with the logo "Woodgate Shop" stands in a store holding a fresh cauliflower surrounded by leafy greens. The background features neatly arranged shelves with various grocery items, emphasizing a community-focused shopping experience.
A group of people stand in a room with blue walls, engaged in a discussion around a table filled with various food items, including packaged goods and fresh produce. Four individuals wear black shirts featuring the Thakeham logo.

Supporting localcommunity causes

Through our charity partners, we help tackle loneliness and promote healthy living. We partner with charities that support children, veterans and improved mental health.

Our charity partners
A group of children in high vis vests and hard hats visit a construction site.

Inspiringfuture generations

We inspire children to engage with and strive toward aspirational futures delivering a stronger connection to their environment, as well as motivating them to future careers in our industry.

Our work with schools
A construction worker in a high vis jacket and hard hat fixes tiles to a roof.

Building astronger industry

We live our values, focusing on the wellbeing of our people, both directly employed and within our supply chain.

We actively contribute to the diversification and upskilling of the construction industry sector with inclusive business practices and exemplar training and development.

Our work with local business
A young person with long hair, wearing a pink shirt and black pants, crouches in a grassy area with clusters of pink flowers. They appear to be examining or picking one of the flowers. The background features more green grass and additional pink blossoms, creating a vibrant natural setting.

Creatingsustainable places

We tackle issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and societal disconnects via our ambitious, sustainability strategy, with particular focus on zero carbon.

Our work in sustainability
Four young individuals stand on a grassy field, wearing matching green and white rugby jerseys featuring the "Horsham Rugby" team logo and "Thakeham" sponsor branding. They have their arms around each other, displaying camaraderie.

Promotinghealthy lifestyles

We sponsor a range of events and activities that bring communities together and promote healthy lifestyles.

Our sponsorships

Our approach tosocial value

Our dedication to social value delivery alongside our industry-leading focus on biodiversity and zero carbon, have resulted in us being widely accepted as being at the forefront of community creation in the UK.

We are Pioneer members of Social Value UK, the professional body for social value and impact management. Our work with Social Value UK helps us shape our delivery programme to address the needs of all our stakeholders.

Our approach to social value
a child takes part in the eddie and ellie class to create bee hotels. Out of focus behind them is a nordic style villa at Woodgate.

Our latest posts

News
A group of children outdoors on a grassy area, smiling and holding up colorful certificates or cartoon-themed artwork. They’re arranged in two rows, with some kneeling in front and others standing behind. Trees and part of a building appear in the background, adding to the summery, celebratory atmosphere.

Support for literacy and bumblebee awareness

Connecting our partners to support literacy and increase bumblebee awareness with the launch of a new book: 'Bella the Bee Saves the Day'

Blog
A man standing in front of a counter of a community owned shop with a selection of vegetables and fruit.

Why choose a community-owned shop?

Why choose a community-owned shop? Benefits, impact, and real stories

News
A group of people, wearing black shirts and gloves, are working together at a food distribution event. They are handling various food items, including bread, which is placed in green plastic crates on a table. One person is wearing a black cap.

New community food hub opens in Burgess Hill

We've partnered with environmental and social impact charity UKHarvest to help lower food waste and insecurity.

News
Four people are seated at a table, collaborating on a project. Their faces are blurred for privacy. Papers, a pen, and a marker are spread across the table. In front of them, three awards are prominently displayed, recognizing workplace excellence: - Housing's Top 10 Best Organisations to Work For 2024 (cert.b.co.uk) - The South East's Top 50 Best Companies to Work For 2024 (cert.b.co.uk) - The UK's Top 75 Best Large Companies to Work For 2024 (cert.b.co.uk) Let me know if you’d like any refinements!

An outstanding best company to work for

The results for this year’s Best Companies have been released, and we feature in the National, Sector and Regional lists. 

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