Infrastructure and public services core to locations of proposed new towns

Government has launched a taskforce to identify sites for the next generation of new towns. The New Towns Taskforce is chaired by housing expert Sir Michael Lyons supported by leading economist Deputy Chair Dame Kate Barker, both respected housing sector veterans.

The government says the programme of new towns will create largescale communities of at least 10,000 new homes each and the creation of taskforce kickstarts the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war period.

These new communities will be governed by the recently launched  ‘New Towns Code’ – a set of rules that developers will have to meet to make sure new towns are well-connected, well-designed, sustainable and attractive places where people want to live including provision of the infrastructure and public services necessary to support thriving communities. The towns will also help meet housing need by targeting rates of 40% affordable housing with a focus on genuinely affordable social rented homes.

While the programme will include large-scale new communities that are separate from existing settlements, a far larger number of new towns will be urban extensions and regeneration schemes that will work with the grain of development in any given area.

The taskforce will present a final shortlist of recommendations on appropriate locations to ministers within 12 months.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said, “Alongside our landmark reforms to the planning system, this programme of new towns will kickstart economic growth and give businesses the confidence to invest.”

Echoing the ambition of New Labour’s 2003 Sustainable Communities Plan, Reeves said the new towns will spread opportunities for every walk of life – creating good jobs and delivering the transport links, access to public services like GP surgeries and schools, and high-quality green spaces that communities need.

She also said Sir Michael’s team will “work in lockstep with mayors, local leaders and communities to advise on the right places for new towns, listening to those who know their areas best.”

Local leaders are also receiving new powers over planning, skills, transport, employment and streamlined funding settlements, backed by a new English Devolution Bill announced in the King’s Speech. Reeves said, “through delivering local growth plans, this greater devolution of decision making will ensure every part of the country is driving economic growth.