In response to the Government’s announcement today [Wednesday 31 July] about the expert taskforce on a new generation of New Towns, the TCPA’s chief executive, Fiona Howie, said:
‘Progress with the taskforce is both important and welcome. The TCPA is clear that large scale strategic growth is an important part of the portfolio of solutions necessary to address the housing crisis and we look forward to working with Sir Michael Lyons and Dame Kate Barker. The detail of the ‘New Towns Code’ will be important in setting expectations for these new communities from the start. They need to be well-connected and well-designed, and this must include being exemplars in relation to net zero, nature and supporting health and wellbeing. Making sure new development is in sustainable locations will therefore also be a key to success. Infrastructure that is delivered upfront is vital – and this needs to include social infrastructure if we are to create thriving communities in the long term.
But the taskforce must also consider delivery. An important lesson from previous programmes on new large scale development, including the post-war New Towns Programme which delivered 32 New Towns that now house around 2.8 million people, is that we need real leadership from central government. If we are to tackle the housing crisis we need a long term vision and commitment from government and interventions that help de-risk sites. This cannot be left to the private sector to deliver on its own.’
