New Communities Group

The TCPA New Communities Group (NCG) was established in 2009. Its members are ambitious local authorities and development corporations planning and delivering exemplary large-scale new communities, from Garden City inspired new towns and garden communities to major urban extensions.

With the renewed focus on strategic planning and major housing growth through the government’s New Towns programme, the NCG provides a peer learning network for authorities to share best practice in placemaking together with Homes England.

Alongside regular webinars, study tours and workshops, the group offers networking opportunities for local authority officers planning for and delivering large scale development. Together, the Group provides support for authorities delivering over 300,000 new homes. 

Membership of the New Communities Group includes:

• A programme of tailored CPD learning opportunities related to delivering large scale developments through five annual thematic webinars– free to attend for all council staff.  
• Opportunities to participate in site visits, policy workshops, online surgery sessions on planning reform and expert roundtables – including shaping guidance and policy representations published by the TCPA.
• Peer support forums – where members can exchange their experience of planning and delivering new communities. 
• Opportunities for high-level political engagement – including an annual parliamentary briefing for council leaders. 
• Bi-monthly newsletters – communicating progress of new communities around the country and highlighting news on relevant policy announcements, training events and funding opportunities.
• Regular updates on key legislative and policy changes which have direct relevance to the delivery of large-scale new developments 
• Information about funding opportunities for new communities, regularly updated on a dedicated webpage 
• Full organisational membership of the TCPA. Additional benefits of becoming TCPA members are discounted and free places at conferences, the distinguished monthly journal Town & Country Planning, the member’s bulletin, opportunities to be involved in policy making, and much more.

Membership of the NCG gives officers the support for how to implement the [Garden City] principles and keeps us informed of latest guidance and initiatives.  It is very useful to share experiences across the country of other new and emerging communities. Without this exchange and support for the ideals, it would be more difficult to remain steadfast in our increasingly complex planning world.

Uttlesford District Council, member of the NCG