New towns for England - Where should they be and how can they be funded and delivered?

A new report for the New Towns Taskforce, 'New Towns for England: Where should they be and how can they be funded and delivered?', authored by Paul Chamberlain, a former MHCLG economist, supported by Pension Insurance Corporation plc and NHBC, and published by WPI Strategy, identifies 12 'trailblazer' locations for the Government’s proposed new towns.  

Using a set of criteria which meet spatial, economic and needs based tests as well potential public acceptability, the research finds the areas around Milton Keynes and Leeds are the most favourable and comparatively easiest to deliver. 

The report’s recommendations include:

• a partnership funding and community development model, which brings together the public and private sector
• a phased development schedule, which recognises the reality of land availability
• a focus on mixed tenure housing and affordable rents, helping ensure long-term private sector involvement in community development
• a recognition that the new towns need to create social value for those already living in the areas proposed

The report uses five specific criteria to identify locations suitable for a New Town:

1)    Land availability. The amount of available land that can be developed, taking in key constraints such as Green Belt, flood risk, national parks, Areas of Outstanding Beauty and proximity to inter-city rail and road networks

2)    Proximity to economic hubs. Capturing economic ties, employment opportunities and likely commuting routes to major urban centres

3)    Affordability. Housing affordability pressures based on median house price to earnings ratios

4)    Housing supply gap. The gap between housing need and actual delivery

5)    Land value uplift. The financial headroom available to support infrastructure and place-making costs