Seven new towns proposed across England

Seven locations across England have been put forward for a new generation of towns, as ministers outline plans to expand housing supply within a broader building push.

The government has announced that Tempsford in Bedfordshire could see more than 40,000 homes being built around a new East West Rail station.

It would have links to Cambridge, Oxford, London and Milton Keynes.

In West Yorkshire, Leeds South Bank is expected to deliver around 20,000 homes, tied to a £2.1 billion transport investment to meet the city’s growth plans.

Elsewhere, Crews Hill and Chase Park in Enfield could see up to 21,000 homes come forward.

Thamesmead in Greenwich is also identified, with up to 15,000 homes supported by a planned Docklands Light Railway extension.

Other new towns

Other locations being proposed include Manchester Victoria North, with at least 15,000 homes and a new Metrolink stop intended to connect residents to employment areas across the city.

In South Gloucestershire, Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc are proposed for up to 40,000 homes, linked to research and advanced engineering activity.

Milton Keynes features but as an expansion site with plans adding around 40,000 homes and a new local transport system as part of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.

Each location is expected to follow a design model focused on walkable neighbourhoods, reduced car use and access to green space.

Local high streets also form part of the proposals with final locations confirmed after consultation and environmental assessment later this year.

National Housing Bank

The government also says that at least 40% of homes are set to be affordable.

Within that share, at least half would be available at social rent and delivered by councils or housing associations.

There are also new details about the National Housing Bank ahead of its launch on 1 April.

Backed by up to £16 billion in public funding, it is intended to unlock a further £53 billion in private investment and support more than 500,000 homes.

The bank will provide finance for developments, particularly large or complex sites where schemes can stall.

Alongside this, £400 million in additional support will allow both the bank and regional mayors to issue loans and investments at lower interest rates to address viability gaps.

Property sector reaction

Paul Rickard, the chief executive of Pocket Living, said: “Confirmation of the location for the proposed seven new towns is a welcome next step in the government’s overall plan for delivering the new homes Britain needs.

“As well as providing short, medium and long-term opportunities for the delivery of new homes, this is also a generational opportunity to support SME developers, scaling back up our depleted SME housebuilding industry.”

Mary-Anne Bowring, the managing director of Ringley Group, said: “Confirmation of the locations for the planned seven new towns is a positive next step but getting the tenure mix right is just as important as actually building new homes.

“Given the economic imperative of using housing to support key sectors of the economy, as well as responding to what consumers actually want, build to rent and single-family housing have a key role to play not only as accelerators of delivery but in meeting that need”

Melanie Leech CBE, the chief executive at British Property Federation, said: “The announcement is a welcome next step for this 21st century new towns programme.

“The sites identified will only be delivered with a combination of public and private sector expertise and given the current viability crisis, will require a laser focus on creating the right conditions to deliver housing at scale and unlock the full economic benefits that will flow from this.”