<p>Vistry Group has announced it will focus its operations solely on its Partnerships business, merging its Housebuilding division with its Partnerships arm before the end of its financial year as the acute need for affordable, mixed tenure housing grows.</p> <p>Speaking to <i>Housebuilder</i>, Stephen Teagle, ceo of the Partnerships arm, now retitled Countryside Partnerships, said the decision followed a strategic review of the business beginning around four months ago. This confirmed the strength and benefits of the Partnerships business, “now at a scale that it hadn’t been previously thanks to the Partnerships combination [Vistry’s acquisition of Countryside Partnerships last November]”. </p> <p>He added that, “looking at the demand for affordable mixed tenure housing – that’s growing. That element also contributed to the [decision]”. </p> <p>The business intends to transition its Housebuilding landbank of 30,200 owned and controlled plots to its Partnerships model. This means pre-selling at least 50% of homes to registered providers, local authorities and private rented sector providers, with Vistry aiming for an average of 65% homes pre-sold. </p> <p>Teagle said this would translate to 12,000 to 16,000 multi-tenure homes per year. He also commented that Vistry’s new focus would allow it to target completions “in excess” of 25,000 …