Overview

• Ministers accepted the taskforce’s recommendations in principle and named Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank as the most promising sites to begin within this Parliament.
• A Strategic Environmental Assessment will be undertaken and draft proposals will go to consultation in spring, with final locations only confirmed after that process and subject to change.
• A New Towns Unit will be created to coordinate departments, attract investment and unblock delivery barriers, with options such as development corporations to be tested.
• Each settlement is planned at a minimum of 10,000 homes with an ambition for 40% affordable housing, half for social rent, and the 12 sites could deliver up to 300,000 homes over coming decades.
• Local voices in shortlisted areas, including Tempsford, report limited engagement to date and raise concerns about infrastructure needs and potential loss of heritage at RAF Tempsford.