How could masterplanning reduce risk and ensure the long-term economic viability of new towns? - Peers to question witnesses

At 10.45am on Tuesday 17 June 2025, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee will hear evidence from:

• Anne Ogundiya, Director of Master Planning, Beyond the Red Line
• Kathryn Firth, Director in Cities, Planning & Design, Arup
• Katja Stille, Director of Planning & Urban Design, Tibbalds.

This session, which is open to the public, is part of the Committee's inquiry on new towns and expanded settlements. It will be held in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords and streamed live on Parliament TV.  

This session will focus on the masterplanning of new towns and expanded settlements. The committee is likely to ask about:

• How masterplans can provide sufficient detail for efficient implementation while also being flexible enough to accommodate change over the coming decades.
• Whether the Government should set mandatory guidance for new towns on design and masterplan making.
• What oversight is needed during the development of a new town to ensure that the agreed masterplan is appropriately adhered to.