Hundreds of thousands of working people and families across Britain are set to benefit from the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, as the Prime Minister unveils his ambitious plans for new towns.
During a visit to a housing development today, the Prime Minister announced the government's vision for the next generation of new towns. These towns will be well-designed, beautiful communities featuring affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools, and public transport, creating desirable places to live.
Local areas and housebuilders from every region in England have shown their enthusiasm for the initiative, submitting over 100 proposals. Each new town has the potential to deliver 10,000 homes or more, playing a crucial role in addressing Britain's housing crisis.
Central to the government's Plan for Change is the commitment to providing secure homes for hardworking individuals. The New Towns Taskforce has outlined clear principles for the new towns, focusing on affordable housing, vital infrastructure, and access to green spaces. These elements aim to transform the lives of working people.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“For so many families, homeownership is a distant dream. After a decade of decline in housebuilding, the impact is a disconnect between working hard and getting on.
“This is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about the security and stability that owning your own home brings. I know what this means for working people – the roof above our head was everything for our family growing up.
“We’ve already made progress in just seven months, unblocking 20,000 stuck homes. But there’s more to do.
“We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder. We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.
“As part of the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, our ambitious Plan for Change will transform the lives of working people, once again connecting the basic principle that if you work hard, you should get on.”
The government is determined to overcome the decline in housebuilding that has let down working people for too long. Major reforms to planning regulations are being implemented to accelerate the construction of new homes. The New Homes Accelerator programme has already unblocked 20,000 new homes by deploying planning expertise to expedite housing projects.
Several areas have already benefited from government intervention:
- Cowley Hill, Liverpool: Over 1,000 homes have been unlocked following an agreement with the Environment Agency, which withdrew its objections on flood risk and biodiversity grounds.
- Wolborough, Devon: The Accelerator programme has facilitated the development of 1,100 homes, with £1.75 million allocated for off-site improvements, including pedestrian and cycle paths, playing pitches, bus services, and a local travel plan.
Housebuilders and local councils have identified over 350 housing development sites stuck in the system, which could collectively unlock around 700,000 new homes. Approximately a quarter of these sites are already receiving government attention, demonstrating the programme's success and local ambition to support the government's target of 1.5 million homes.
The government's actions to overhaul the planning system aim to support builders, remove obstacles to economic growth, raise living standards, and make tough decisions to deliver for working people and families.
The Prime Minister's announcement marks a significant step towards resolving the housing crisis and providing secure, affordable homes for the hardworking people of Britain. With the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, the future looks promising for new towns across the country.
Image credit: iStock
