New towns inquiry launched by Lords Built Environment Committee

The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has today launched a modular inquiry into new towns and expanded settlements. Over a number of short, targeted modules, the Committee aims to discover whether new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing and, if so, how to ensure they are successful. 
 
The Government aims to have up to 12 new towns under construction by the next election. More than 100 potential locations in England have already been identified and submitted to the New Towns Taskforce, the majority of these being urban expansions in London, the south east, and the south west.
 
The first module will focus on the fundamental, practical considerations for delivering towns, answering the basic question: is the construction of new towns and expanded settlements practicable and achievable?  
 
The inquiry will consider the role of local, regional, and central Government, and examine what effect devolution might have on delivery. It will examine the role of the private sector and public/private partnerships, considering alternative funding models and looking to contemporary success stories both nationally and internationally. 
 
Strategic master planning and long-term support will be highlighted, seeking to understand what the Government can learn from previous new town programmes to ensure successful delivery. The inquiry will also examine the practical implications of building on such a scale, considering the capacity of the construction sector, what legal challenges could be faced, and the role of robust community consultation.  
 
Lord Gascoigne, Chair of the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, said:
 
“The UK has a chronic housing shortage and, like its predecessors, the new Government has very ambitious housebuilding targets to address these shortages. It is hoping that these new towns can make a contribution to solving the nation’s housing shortage.
 
“Our initial inquiry will focus on practical delivery and seek to understand the legal, political, and economic channels through which new and expanded settlements can be successfully delivered.
 
“To inform our work we want to hear from as broad a range of people as possible. If you have a view on any aspect of our inquiry, look at our call for evidence and let us know what you think.”
 
The committee is seeking answers to the following questions:
 

1. What do you anticipate will be most significant impact(s) of the Government’s proposed new towns?  
   a. Over what timescale do you expect this(/these) to be realised? 
    
2. How do the proposed new towns and expanded settlements differ from previous initiatives over the last 80 years? 
    
3. What, if any, are the barriers to the development of good quality new towns? 
    
4. What current policy channels exist to delivery new towns, and are they sufficient? If insufficient, what policy changes would facilitate their development? 
    
5. What do you think future modules in our inquiry should examine when considering what makes a successful new town?
    
6. What should be the respective roles and responsibilities of local and regional government in the delivery of new towns? 
    
7. How can central Government support the planning and delivery of new towns? 
    
8. What is the most effective economic model for building and managing a new town? 
    
9. What role should community engagement play in developing and planning new towns?
    
10. What elements should be prioritised in the strategic master planning of new towns? 
    b. In what ways can master plans support the long-term economic viability of new towns? 
11. On what basis, and using what metrics, should the location and size of new be decided? 
    a. In which types of locations and in which parts of the country would you prioritise the development of new towns and why? 
     
12. To what extent can the proposed new towns act as a model for general housing development across the UK?
     
13. What long-term support will new towns need to ensure that their delivery is efficient and successful? 
     
14. Does the construction sector have sufficient capacity and skills to deliver new towns?
     
15. If not, what should be done to ensure that it is, and over what timeframe can capacity be made? 
    c. Is there sufficient capacity in the English workforce?
     

The deadline for the submission of written evidence is 12 May 2025. 

Read the call for evidence and find out how to submit evidence.