The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has published preliminary findings from its inquiry into the Government’s new towns programme, calling for a clear national vision, robust leadership, and an infrastructure-first approach to the creation of these next-generation communities.
The Committee emphasises that the new towns must go beyond simply meeting housing targets. Instead, they should serve as catalysts for inclusive, sustainable growth that tackles regional inequalities and reflects high standards of modern urban design.
Lord Gascoigne, Chair of the Committee, said, “The Government has a major opportunity to deliver high-quality, affordable, and sustainable new towns and expanded settlements at scale. However, the programme currently lacks a clear, engaging vision that explains to communities and the wider public what these new towns are designed to achieve and why they matter.”
The report urges the Government to articulate this vision both for the overall programme and each individual town to secure public support and investor confidence.
Effective delivery, according to the Committee, demands strong ministerial leadership with cross-government coordination. A dedicated ministerial role is recommended to oversee the programme and navigate cross-departmental cooperation.
Critically, the Committee advocates an ‘infrastructure-first’ model, whereby transport links, utilities, schools, health facilities, shops, and community spaces are in place before housing development begins. This approach aims to create fully functioning, vibrant communities from the outset, avoiding the pitfalls of building homes without accompanying services.
The Committee also highlights the importance of flexible, phased masterplans that balance certainty for developers with adaptability to evolving needs, while ensuring varied plot sizes and housing diversity to encourage participation by small and medium enterprises.
Design standards must be mandated at a high level through central oversight to safeguard quality and restore public trust, complemented by locally tailored design codes that respect regional character.
Early and meaningful community engagement is deemed vital for legitimacy and to reduce opposition to new towns, with calls for a national framework to promote co-design and consultation. Locally-led development corporations with government oversight are suggested as the preferred delivery vehicle, alongside government stakes to inspire investor confidence.
Financially, the Committee stresses the necessity of balancing private investment with patient public capital. Innovative tools to capture and recycle land value for long-term community benefit should also be employed.
The Committee’s report precedes the Government’s announcement of up to 12 initial new town locations, which is expected to further define the direction of the programme.
The inquiry, appointed in 2021, aims to ensure that new towns form sustainable, affordable communities that contribute to economic growth and improve the quality of life across England.
For more information, visit the Committee’s webpage: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9016.
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