CIC has welcomed the UK Government’s publication of the New Towns Taskforce report and its initial response. The Taskforce report outlines 12 recommended locations for the next generation of new towns across England and how to deliver them.
These locations are :
- Adlington, Cheshire East, A standalone settlement to serve the growing industries in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, as identified in the government’s Industrial Strategy.
- A corridor of connected development in South Gloucestershire, across Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc; building in one of the highest productivity areas in the country with a high value research, advanced engineering and technology economy.
- An expanded development bringing together Chase Park and Crews Hill, Enfield; delivering green development and helping address London’s acute housing need.
- Redevelopment of the former airbase at Heyford Park, Cherwell; connecting to Oxford and building on the existing progress and commitment to high-quality placemaking; referencing the area’s past and supporting its future in innovative clean technology industries.
- Urban development in Leeds; catalysing on the city’s existing economic prospects and capturing the benefits of the governments £2.1 billion local transport funding allocation for the Combined Authority by delivering well-connected, high-quality homes in the South Bank to support the city centre.
- Inner-city development and densification in Manchester, Victoria North; supporting continued growth and attracting high-skilled workers to service the city’s diverse industries.
- A standalone settlement in the Marlcombe, East Devon; strengthening the region’s labour supply and supporting the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone.
- A ‘Renewed Town’ in Milton Keynes; reinvigorating the city centre and expanding to the city periphery whilst reshaping the way people travel, by delivering a Mass Rapid Transit system.
- Densified development in Plymouth; evolving Britain’s Ocean City and capitalising on the governments £4.4 billion investment in HMNB Devonport, Western Europe’s largest naval base.
- A new settlement in Tempsford, Central Bedfordshire; to maximise the benefits of East West Rail, by building a well-connected new town in the heart of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
- The creation of a riverside settlement in Thamesmead, Greenwich; unlocking inaccessible land in the city and improving connectivity if the proposed extension of the Docklands Light Railway can be delivered to enable the development.
- Expanded development at Worcestershire Parkway, Wychavon; accelerating delivery around the existing train station to help meet regional housing need and act as a model for sustainable, carbon neutral development.
This is a significant opportunity to embed best practice in design, infrastructure, and sustainability from the outset.
The report, developed by an expert taskforce which included CIC’s Immediate Past Chair Dr Wei Yang, and another former Chair, Nick Raynsford, outlines a bold vision for placemaking that prioritises long-term stewardship, environmental resilience, and community wellbeing. The Government’s dedication to conducting Strategic Environmental Assessments shows a commitment to delivering high-quality, future-ready communities.
Dr Wei Yang, Immediate Past Chair of CIC and member of the New Towns Taskforce commented: “I was honoured to serve on the New Towns Taskforce, helping to blueprint the Government’s commitment to long-term placemaking through the New Towns programme. This is a vital opportunity to embed sustainability, connectivity, and community wellbeing at the heart of new development. CIC looks forward to supporting this initiative through collaboration across the built environment sector.”
CIC recognises the importance of aligning infrastructure, long-term investment, environmental resilience, and community engagement in delivering these new towns. It encourages continued cross-sector collaboration to ensure these developments reflect the highest standards of design, sustainability, and social value.
To read the report in full visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-towns-taskforce-report-to-government/new-towns-taskforce-report-to-government
