Gordon Miller, UK programme manager at the Institute of Human Rights and Business, discusses the issues holding businesses back from delivering new homes and towns
Twelve new towns. Three hundred thousand homes. At the start of this year’s Labour Party conference, the New Towns Taskforce shared a report identifying 12 locations to deliver a housing project on a grand scale
Ambitious numbers are welcome, but the measure of success will lie in the quality homes built, as well as how they are built and who (truly) has access. The stakes are high. This initiative could be a once-in-a-generation chance to build affordable homes (40% have been earmarked) that help communities thrive. Decent, low-impact homes fit for the next century. It could also fail if building standards slip, governance is weak, and human rights and environmental goals are sidelined.
But this isn’t simply about building new homes. It’s a moment to recalibrate a broken housing market that for decades has treated homes as a commodity, maximising profit at the expense of a fundamental right. And what emerges, if successful, could be a blueprint for a housing model to be replicated up and down the country, one that learns from the mistakes – and the potential – of the ‘new towns’ of the mid-century.
What can be done to aid businesses?
For business, the implications are clear. Direct delivery by the government is a thing of the past. Indeed, the Taskforce’s report acknowledges that the current housing market is dominated by a small number of large developers (the report isn’t shy in outlining their shortcomings). Recalibrating the housing market will depend on the actions of progressive, responsible businesses that seek social and environmental returns, as well as financial ones.
So what does ‘responsible business’ look like in practice? What actions should the government and businesses take now to give this initiative a fighting chance?
- Integrate human rights into every stage of development, from planning to construction. This ensures planning, design, construction, and operation prioritise the dignity, well-being, and participation of all people, creating communities that are socially just, inclusive, and rights-respecting. The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t require the development of new standards. There are a number of internationally recognised human rights standards and frameworks already available to guide responsible practice (IHRB has packaged these together in a one-stop-shop online resource).
- Use procurement as a lever to embed human rights, labour standards, and environmental sustainability in new town delivery, especially with regard to business practice. Contractors should comply with the Social Value Act to demonstrate the added social value they can bring to a project. Contracts should require decent work, training & re-skilling, inclusive design, and low-carbon construction, ensuring long-term social and environmental value alongside housing supply.
- Participation is not just a process, but a right. Require meaningful participation of affected communities in design, delivery, and governance (not just consultation). Towns must reflect the identities, family structures, and traditions of those who live there. Doing so can reduce project risk from the outset and mitigate against social backlash to developments.
- Build in accountability. New towns must be governed by independent oversight and include annual reporting against human rights and sustainability benchmarks. Past experiences show that unregulated natural resources and benefits are often concentrated in the hands of a few. Land trusts, long-term stewardship, and protection against speculative sales can ensure residents retain value for decades.
- Commit to net-zero carbon pathways, including low-carbon construction, energy-efficient homes, sustainable transport, climate-resilient infrastructure, and biodiversity enhancement, in line with the UK’s climate obligations, to safeguard residents’ right to a healthy environment and support a just transition.
- Leverage a minimum of 50% affordable housing through the powers of the newly established Development Corporations, as per the recently introduced threshold for the London Green Belt.
- Ensure connectedness for residents by prioritising sites that ensure safe, healthy, and connected environments – including public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure. Guarantee connectivity to jobs, healthcare, childcare, and education through upfront investment, such as land value capture mechanisms.
- Respect cultural adequacy by ensuring town design and housing types respect cultural identity, diversity of family structures, and traditions. Embed participatory planning so that communities co-shape spaces reflecting their cultural needs and values.
- Share benefits through long-term ownership. Build on the lessons learned from previous new towns and development corporations to ensure the long-term benefits are accrued equitably between local residents.
Ultimately, this is a potential blueprint for the future: new towns can contribute to the delivery of large-scale housing that is inclusive, sustainable, and rights-respecting. They can generate social, economic, and environmental returns, but we must also consider the decarbonisation challenges posed by new build. They also provide developers with an opportunity to gain credibility, reduce risk, and strengthen their market position.
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