A report published today by the London
Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee sets out
that a new generation of developments could play a part in
helping tackle the capital's housing crisis while creating
thriving, well-connected communities.
The New Towns report also claims that
London risks repeating the planning mistakes of the past unless
new towns are delivered with clear standards on housing,
transport and community involvement.
The report finds that new towns could play a major role in
meeting housing demand, with two potential sites identified in
London at Crews Hill and Chase Park in Enfield, and Thamesmead
Waterfront in Greenwich.
However, the report warns that without strong leadership and
clear planning frameworks, the two proposed sites for new towns
in London risk delivering poor outcomes, including low-quality
green spaces and housing that fails to meet Londoners' needs.
The investigation found that new towns must go beyond simply
building homes, instead creating long-term civic systems that
provide jobs, infrastructure, green space and a strong sense of
place.
To address these challenges, the Committee calls
for a series of measures to ensure new towns succeed, including:
- Guaranteeing high levels of affordable housing, with social
rent prioritised.
- Ensuring transport infrastructure is in place from day one.
- Embedding high-quality green infrastructure to support
climate resilience.
- Requiring meaningful community co-design from the earliest
stages.
- Securing new, dedicated government funding and greater powers
for land value capture.
Chair of the Planning and Regeneration Committee, AM, said:
New towns could be a real tool to help tackle London's
housing crisis, but only if we get them right.
This cannot be just about building homes in isolation. Done
properly, new towns should create well-connected, affordable and
genuinely liveable communities from day one.
Our recommendations set out the foundations needed to ensure
that the proposed new towns work for Londoners from day one.
