The New Towns Taskforce‘s first report, makes recommendations for 12 locations of new towns
The government is currently aiming to begin work on at least three potential new towns in this parliament, with this report a key step of the process.
At this stage, sites at Tempsford, Crews Hill, and Leeds South Bank appear to be the ‘most promising.’
The full list of recommended locations is below:
- A standalone settlement in Adlington, Cheshire East; to serve the growing industries in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, as identified in the government’s Industrial Strategy.
- A corridor of connected development in South Gloucestershire, across Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc; building in one of the highest productivity areas in the country with a high value research, advanced engineering and technology economy.
- An expanded development bringing together Chase Park and Crews Hill, Enfield; delivering green development and helping address London’s acute housing need.
- Redevelopment of the former airbase at Heyford Park, Cherwell; connecting to Oxford and building on the existing progress and commitment to high-quality placemaking; referencing the area’s past and supporting its future in innovative technology industries.
- Urban development in Leeds; catalysing on the city’s existing economic prospects and capturing the benefits of the governments £2.1bn local transport funding allocation for the Combined Authority by delivering well-connected, high-quality homes in the South Bank to support the city centre.
- Inner-city development and densification in Manchester, Victoria North; supporting continued growth and attracting high-skilled workers to service the city’s diverse industries.
- A standalone settlement in the Marlcombe, East Devon; strengthening the region’s labour supply and supporting the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone.
- A Renewed Town in Milton Keynes; reinvigorating the city centre and expanding to the city periphery whilst reshaping the way people travel, by delivering a Mass Rapid Transit system.
- Densified development in Plymouth; evolving Britain’s Ocean City and capitalising on the government’s £4.4bn investment in HMNB Devonport, Western Europe’s largest naval base.
- A new settlement in Tempsford, Bedfordshire; to maximise the benefits of East West Rail, building a sustainable, well-connected new town in the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
- The creation of a riverside settlement in Thamesmead, Greenwich; unlocking inaccessible land in the city and improving connectivity if the proposed extension of the Docklands Light Railway can be delivered to enable the development.
- Expanded development at Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon; accelerating delivery around the existing train station to help meet regional housing need and act as a model for sustainable, carbon neutral development.
Each new development would deliver around 4,000 affordable homes
Each of these potential locations would have at least 10,000 new homes, with aims for 40% of these to be affordable, and 50% for social rent.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment will now be undertaken to highlight any environmental issues with these locations before a final decision is made.
“Achieving this will require a significant and long-term funding commitment”
RIBA president, Chris Williamson, said:
“Today’s final report from the New Towns Taskforce sets out an ambitious and strategic vision for new towns and urban extensions across the country. Its focus on creating high-quality places which respond to local context and are designed to be resilient, sustainable and well-connected echo our recommendations for new towns and for all new development.
“We have been clear that prioritising infrastructure and amenities, guaranteeing a high proportion of social and affordable housing, and taking a considered and deliberate approach to masterplanning are crucial to ensure that places not only meet people’s needs, but improve their lives.
“Achieving this will require a significant and long-term funding commitment. However, the economic and social gains that these new and revitalised areas could deliver are well worth the investment.
“Architects have a vital role to play in ensuring that these new places meet the high standards set out in the Taskforce’s report, and we look forward to working with the Government to turn its vision into a reality.”
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