Overview

• Ministers confirmed a 12-town programme based on the New Towns Taskforce report, naming Tempsford, Leeds South Bank and Crews Hill as priority sites to break ground before the next election.
• Each settlement is expected to deliver at least 10,000 homes, with the taskforce advising an ambition of 40% affordable housing and half of that for social rent.
• The government outlined a delivery model featuring a proposed New Towns Unit and development corporations with compulsory purchase and planning powers to integrate transport, schools and GP surgeries.
• Final funding arrangements, precise site boundaries and environmental approvals will be decided next spring following formal assessments and public engagement.
• Local leaders and campaigners raised concerns over consultation, green belt and heritage loss, flooding and infrastructure capacity, while analysts questioned delivery speed given record‑low approvals and completions.