Govt to begin three new towns “in this parliament”

The government will begin building “at least” three new towns in this parliament, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

MHCLG said three sites in Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looked “the most promising” for new towns progression in its initial response to the New Towns Taskforce’s report, published yesterday (September 28). The Taskforce recommended 12 locations as potential new towns, which the government has welcomed.

At the Labour Party Conference yesterday, new housing secretary Steve Reed announced that delivery of the first three new towns would begin before the next general election.

He said: “We know that national renewal depends on the renewal of every town, village and community that makes up our great country.

“We’ll build the homes people need. We’ll build the communities where they can thrive. We’ll bring in the investment and the jobs that will open up opportunities.”

MHCLG also said that it would establish a New Towns Unit to progress the development of new towns, working with all departments and their agencies “to ensure new towns are a test bed for innovation and to unblock barriers to delivery”.

And the government will undertake a …