Map shows where seven new UK towns could be built
The government has confirmed the locations for the seven new towns proposed to kickstart a housebuilding push across the UK.
The new towns form part of an extension to the 1946 New Towns Act, a series of Acts in Parliament made to help alleviate housing shortages after the war.
It led to the creation of 32 communities that are ‘now home to millions of people’, and the government is now looking to honour their ‘manifesto commitment’ with the creation of seven new towns over the coming years.
Tempsford, Leeds South Bank, Crews Hill and Chase Park, Manchester Victoria North, Thamesmead, Brabazon and West Innovation Arc, and Milton Keynes have been proposed as new locations.
Each would aim to deliver at least 10,000 homes, with several delivering up to 40,000 and all aiming to reach a 40% affordable housing target.
According to the government, the towns will help create affordable and balanced communities, with schools, health facilities, high-quality public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure.
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These towns will also be ‘designed for modern, everyday life’, with neighbourhoods that people can easily get around without a car, shared green spaces and vibrant high streets.
The government also assessed a further six new town locations, including Adlington, Heyford Park, Marlcombe (East Devon), Plymouth, South Barking and Wychavon Town, but these locations will not be taken forward.
A public consultation on the proposed locations and draft planning policy is underway until May 18.
In the meantime, here’s all to know about the proposed towns and how many homes would be built in each of them.
Where are the new towns?
The names of the seven new towns have not yet been decided, but their proposed locations and what they aim to offer include:
Tempsford, Bedfordshire
Up to 40,000 homes are being proposed around a new East West Rail station, linking residents to Cambridge, Oxford, London and Milton Keynes.
Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield
Up to 21,000 homes have been proposed here to meet London’s acute housing need.
Leeds South Bank, West Yorkshire
Up to 20,000 homes have been planned to capitalise on the city’s economic momentum and the government’s £2.1 billion local transport investment.
Manchester Victoria North, Greater Manchester
At least 15,000 homes are regenerating the heart of Greater Manchester, with a new Metrolink stop connecting residents to jobs across the city.
Thamesmead, Greenwich
Up to 15,000 homes unlocking inaccessible riverside land in London, enabled by the planned Docklands Light Railway extension.
Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, South Gloucestershire
Up to 40,000 homes would be built near the heart of a world-class research and advanced engineering economy.
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Plans would expand the city by around 40,000 homes and reinvigorate the centre with a new local transport system.
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What has the government said?
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: ‘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.’
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 raising new communities.’
The government has since appointed four interim advisers to help with the new towns initiative.
They include Lyn Garner, former Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation; Ian Piper, former Chief Executive of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation;Emma Cariaga, Chief Operating Officer of British Land; David Rudlin, Founding Principal of Rudlin & Co and principal author of the UK Government’s National Model Design Code.
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