The UK government has confirmed plans to advance a new generation of towns in England, naming three priority sites and acknowledging 12 potential locations recommended in an independent review.
The announcement marks the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce report, led by Sir Michael Lyons, which assessed large-scale development strategies to support housing and economic growth.
The task force proposed 12 locations across the country as candidates for new settlements.
According to the government, Tempsford in Central Bedfordshire, Crews Hill in Enfield, and Leeds South Bank have been identified as the “most promising” among the recommended sites.
The goal is to begin construction on these three new towns within this Parliament, with potential expansion to other areas depending on feasibility and delivery outcomes.
To oversee development, the government will establish a dedicated New Towns Unit.
The body will work with multiple government departments and agencies to address delivery constraints and test new approaches to large-scale community building.
It will also help coordinate long-term governance, investment, and environmental oversight.
The taskforce’s recommendations emphasise that each new town should accommodate at least 10,000 homes, with a target of 40 per cent affordable housing — half of which should be available for social rent.
It also calls for the creation of robust local delivery organisations to ensure accountability and long-term stability for residents.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will now be undertaken to evaluate the environmental implications of the proposed developments.
Final site selections will depend on the outcomes of this assessment, meaning that some of the preferred locations may change.
The government noted that evidence of strong local partnerships, economic purpose, and clear growth potential will be key criteria for selection.
Draft proposals and the SEA findings will be opened for public consultation in spring.
The final list of approved sites and a comprehensive government response to the taskforce’s recommendations will follow later in the year.
The 12 suggested locations include:
- Adlington (Cheshire East)
- Brabazon and West Innovation Arc corridor (South Gloucestershire)
- Crews Hill (Enfield)
- Heyford Park (Cherwell)
- Leeds South Bank (Leeds)
- Victoria North (Manchester)
- Marlcombe (East Devon)
- Milton Keynes city centre and north/east expansions (Milton Keynes)
- Plymouth densification initiatives (Plymouth)
- Tempsford (Central Bedfordshire)
- Thamesmead riverside (Greenwich)
- Worcestershire Parkway (Wychavon)
The initiative signals a renewed national focus on strategic housing delivery through new town development, drawing on lessons from earlier post-war and garden city models to address current housing supply challenges across England.
