The UK government has announced an ambitious housebuilding programme that aims to deliver the largest wave of new towns since the post-war era, marking a major intervention in the country’s housing crisis.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to end the stagnation in housebuilding by prioritising the construction of well-planned, high-quality new communities.
The initiative, backed by the newly formed New Towns Taskforce, sets out a vision for large-scale developments, each capable of delivering at least 10,000 homes, along with essential infrastructure such as schools, GP surgeries, and public transport links.
With over 100 proposals submitted from local authorities and developers across England, the appetite to build is clear.
PLAN FOR CHANGE
The government’s message is equally resolute: Britain must get building, and fast. The plans form a core pillar of Labour’s “Plan for Change,” which pledges to tackle the country’s housing shortfall and restore homeownership as an attainable goal for working people.
Starmer says: “For so many families, homeownership is a distant dream. After a decade of decline in housebuilding, the impact is a disconnect between working hard and getting on. This is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about the security and stability that owning your own home brings.”
The government’s urgency to address the crisis is already taking effect, with 20,000 homes previously stalled by planning delays now moving forward, thanks to the New Homes Accelerator. This programme aims to eliminate the systemic barriers that have hampered development, from planning inefficiencies to infrastructure bottlenecks.
HOUSEBUILDING DECLINE
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner adds: “For too long, working people have been let down by a decline in housebuilding. We are rolling up our sleeves and taking on the blockers with major reforms to planning regulations to get Britain building.”
Rayner pledged that the new towns will be a catalyst for a housing revolution, ensuring developments meet modern sustainability standards while addressing local needs.
Industry leaders have welcomed the scale of ambition but remain cautious about the challenges ahead. Securing land, navigating planning hurdles, and delivering essential infrastructure will require a coordinated approach between government, local authorities, and developers.
SUSTAINING INFRASTRUCTURE
Nathan Emerson, Chief Executive of Propertymark, says: “We look forward to hearing further details on precise locations, as they must fully enhance and compliment the regions where they will be built.
“It is encouraging to hear that sustaining infrastructure, such as education and health facilities, will be closely integrated within the master plan for each proposed town, as all too often sizable developments can be built without reasonable supporting arrangements.
“The UK Government must work closely with key stakeholders to ensure each new town brings a diverse mix of properties, all capable of delivering the right combination of homes to meet the needs of household and age demographic requirements in the areas they will be placed.”
MORE COMPETITIVE
Nigel Bishop of buying agency Recoco Property Search, adds: “There is no denying that the UK is in dire need of more housing. We are seeing multiple buyers competing over and bidding on the same property which often sees buyers being priced out of the market.
“The government’s New Towns programme will create more opportunities for house hunters but could carry major implications for the existing infrastructure.
“We therefore welcome the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s announcement that the delivery of new towns will incorporate GP surgeries, schools and public transport. This is particularly good news for families but also elderly buyers who have always wanted to live in a certain area but felt that a lack of nearby amenities would create an uninspiring or isolating living environment long-term.
“On the flipside, the creation or extension of new towns could see buyers who actually want to live in rural and quiet surroundings change their search radius completely. This will lead to regions that aren’t subject to new towns register increased buyer demand that will outweigh supply and inevitably create more competitive market conditions.”
