The government is seeking views on its draft new towns programme and has announced seven potential locations for the towns, as it ramps up efforts to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament. The proposed towns across the country come with assurances new infrastructure will include jobs, schools, green spaces and transport links.
Each location – Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Crews Hill and Chase Park in Enfield, Leeds South Bank in West Yorkshire, Manchester Victoria North in Greater Manchester, Thamesmead in Greenwich (pictured), Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc in South Gloucestershire, and Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire – is set to deliver at least 10,000 homes, with several delivering 40,000 or more, the government said in a statement.
“People want real change – homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities. Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future,” said housing secretary Steve Reed.
“From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together — so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.”
A public consultation has been launched to gather views on the draft programme and its environmental implications, including how the programme could operate the seven proposed locations, how new towns could be delivered and planned, the proposed approach to design and planning policy, and the government’s offer to locations. It also invites views on a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report which focuses on local environmental constraints, the cumulative effects of new towns development and practical methods of mitigation and monitoring.
Alongside the new towns consultation, the government has also confirmed a National Housing Bank will launch on 1st April, backed with up to £16 billion of financial capacity and the ambition to deliver over 500,000 new homes. Additional support worth up to £400 million over the next decade for subsidised products has also been costed to enable both the National Housing Bank and regional mayors to issue loans and investments at lower interest rates and “unlock housebuilding across the country.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
“For decades this country’s planning system has been a direct obstacle to building new homes, ramping up costs and pricing young people out of the housing market.
“Two years ago, I promised that we would grasp the nettle of planning reform. Now we’re planning to build a new generation of new towns, opening up the expansion of our most dynamic cities and raise up new communities.
“Our economic plan is the right one. Through stability, investment and reform we are building a stronger and more secure economy.”
Simon Century, National Housing Bank chief executive, added:
“From day one, we’ll use deep expertise to back innovative, large-scale delivery, accelerating the supply of high-quality affordable homes and thriving places people want to live.”
A further six new town locations have been reviewed but will not be taken forward at this stage. Adlington, Heyford Park, Marlcombe (East Devon), Plymouth, South Barking and Wychavon Town are deemed to be credible development opportunities and may continue to be supported through existing housing programmes said the government.
