Government names 12 potential sites for new towns

The announcement comes as part of the Government's response to an independent report which recommended building in the 12 locations, alongside wider recommendations on delivery and implementation.

The Government has accepted all recommendations made in the report.

Among the 12 areas, the Government said that sites at Tempsford in Central Bedfordshire, Crews Hill in Enfield and Leeds South Bank look most promising.

The remaining locations are: Adlington in Cheshire East, a corridor development in South Gloucestershire, Heyford Park in Cherwell, an inner-city development in Manchester, Marlcombe in East Devon, a 'renewed town' in Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Thamesmead in Greenwich, and Worcestershire Parkway in Wychavon.

The Government said it aims to build at least three new towns in this Parliament.

The developments recommended in the report, authored by the 'New Towns Taskforce', include a mixture of large-scale communities, such as urban extensions, urban regeneration, and standalone greenfield sites, which should be built.

Each new town should have at least 10,000 homes with an ambition for a minimum of 40% affordable housing, and half of which will be for social rent, according to the report.

As part of its decision-making process, the Government stated that it will seek assurance that any location can be effectively and efficiently delivered in partnership with local communities, has a clear economic purpose, and will support economic growth.

A 'New Towns Unit' will be established by the Government to progress development on new towns.

The Government said the unit will work with all departments and their agencies to ensure new towns are a "test bed for innovation and to unblock barriers to delivery".

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will also be undertaken to understand the environmental implications of developing new towns.

The draft proposals and final SEA for consultation will be published in the Spring.

Adam Carey