The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has today launched
a modular inquiry into new towns and expanded
settlements. Over a number of short, targeted modules, the
Committee aims to discover whether new towns and expanded
settlements are an effective means of delivering housing and, if
so, how to ensure they are successful.
The Government aims to have up to 12 new towns under construction
by the next election. More than 100 potential locations in
England have already been identified and submitted to the New
Towns Taskforce, the majority of these being urban expansions in
London, the south east, and the south west.
The first module will focus on the fundamental, practical
considerations for delivering towns, answering the basic
question: is the construction of new towns and expanded
settlements practicable and achievable?
The inquiry will consider the role of local, regional, and
central Government, and examine what effect devolution might have
on delivery. It will examine the role of the private sector and
public/private partnerships, considering alternative funding
models and looking to contemporary success stories both
nationally and internationally.
Strategic master planning and long-term support will be
highlighted, seeking to understand what the Government can learn
from previous new town programmes to ensure successful delivery.
The inquiry will also examine the practical implications of
building on such a scale, considering the capacity of the
construction sector, what legal challenges could be faced, and
the role of robust community consultation.
, Chair of the House of
Lords Built Environment Committee, said:
“The UK has a chronic housing shortage and, like its
predecessors, the new Government has very ambitious housebuilding
targets to address these shortages. It is hoping that these new
towns can make a contribution to solving the nation's housing
shortage.
“Our initial inquiry will focus on practical delivery and seek to
understand the legal, political, and economic channels through
which new and expanded settlements can be successfully delivered.
“To inform our work we want to hear from as broad a range of
people as possible. If you have a view on any aspect of our
inquiry, look at our call for evidence and let us know what you
think.”
The committee is seeking answers to the following questions:
- What do you anticipate will be most significant impact(s) of
the Government's proposed new towns?
- Over what timescale do you expect this(/these) to be
realised?
- How do the proposed new towns and expanded settlements differ
from previous initiatives over the last 80 years?
- What, if any, are the barriers to the development of good
quality new towns?
- What current policy channels exist to delivery new towns, and
are they sufficient? If insufficient, what policy changes would
facilitate their development?
- What do you think future modules in our inquiry should
examine when considering what makes a successful new town?
- What should be the respective roles and responsibilities of
local and regional government in the delivery of new towns?
- How can central Government support the planning and delivery
of new towns?
- What is the most effective economic model for building and
managing a new town?
- What role should community engagement play in developing and
planning new towns?
- What elements should be prioritised in the strategic master
planning of new towns?
- In what ways can master plans support the long-term
economic viability of new towns?
- On what basis, and using what metrics, should the location
and size of new be decided?
-
- In which types of locations and in which parts of the
country would you prioritise the development of new towns and
why?
- To what extent can the proposed new towns act as a model for
general housing development across the UK?
- What long-term support will new towns need to ensure that
their delivery is efficient and successful?
- Does the construction sector have sufficient capacity and
skills to deliver new towns?
-
- If not, what should be done to ensure that it is, and
over what timeframe can capacity be made?
- Is there sufficient capacity in the English workforce?
The deadline for the submission of written evidence is 12
May 2025.
Read the call for evidence and find
out how to submit evidence.
