New Towns Taskforce launches call for evidence

The government’s New Towns Taskforce has launched a call for evidence to explore opportunities for large developments within the New Towns programme.

The independent Taskforce, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons with Dame Kate Barker as deputy chair, is seeking, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), proposals “that are regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth”. Each new town will contain 10,000 homes “at the very least”, as per the programme’s principles.

Under the call for evidence’s criteria, applicants must set out in their submission the extent of local support for the proposed development; they can also send submissions for as many developments as they wish.

The call for evidence, MHCLG said, would make the New Towns Taskforce aware of “any potential opportunities across the country” as part of the government’s evidence gathering on the programme.

Submissions will not be formally scored as would be the case in a bidding process.

The Taskforce will also tap into other data to inform its work, including undertaking spatial analysis. MHCLG said a key part of the Taskforce’s work was to consider how to fund and deliver the new settlements.

The government’s expected …