Overview

• Ministers accepted the New Towns Taskforce plan for 12 settlements, each with at least 10,000 homes, targeting up to roughly 300,000 in total.
• Housing secretary Steve Reed said building will start at Tempsford, Leeds South Bank and Crews Hill before the next general election.
• A proposed New Towns Unit will coordinate public and private investment for transport, health services, schools and green space, working with leading architects.
• The taskforce recommends a minimum 40% affordable housing in each town, with half of those homes for social rent.
• All locations will undergo environmental assessment and consultation before confirmation, with final site and funding decisions signalled for spring 2026, and a reported £48bn cost has not been officially confirmed.