CIH responds to New Towns Taskforce recommendations

The final report from the independent New Towns Taskforce has been published, recommending 12 sites across England on which to build new towns.

The government has welcomed the report's recommendations, which names Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Leeds South Bank, and Crews Hill in north London as the three priority sites for development, and has pledged to establish a ‘New Towns Unit’ to accelerate their development during this parliament.

Each town is expected have at least 10,000 homes, with an ambition for 40 per cent to be affordable, and half of these to be for social rent.

The taskforce report also makes recommendations on key principles on placemaking and the role of accountable delivery bodies to ensure long-term certainty for communities.

The government plans to publish the draft proposals and final strategic environmental assessment for consultation in the spring, after which it will confirm the locations for the new towns.

Commenting on the report, Rachael Williamson, CIH’s director of policy, communications and external affairs, said: “We welcome the taskforce’s report and the government’s ambition to mobilise the ‘full power of the state’ to deliver a new generation of towns. To succeed, these must go beyond housing numbers to create sustainable, inclusive communities with appropriate services, transport, green spaces and a strong commitment to social and affordable homes.

“Done right, they can echo the best of the post-war new towns while tackling today’s housing crisis — with options to rent and buy. We look forward to working with government, partners and our members to help make this a reality.”

All 12 recommended locations are:

• Adlington, Cheshire East
• South Gloucestershire, across Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc
• Crews Hill in Enfield
• Heyford Park in Cherwell
• Leeds South Bank
• Manchester, Victoria North
• Marlcombe, East Devon
• A ‘renewed town’ in Milton Keynes
• Densified development in Plymouth
• A new settlement in Tempsford, Central Bedfordshire
• Thamesmead, Greenwich
• An expanded development at Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon.