The UK's housing crisis has been a persistent challenge for successive governments, with a chronic shortage of affordable homes hampering economic growth and social mobility. The Labour government has committed to delivering 300,000 new homes in England per year for the duration of the current Parliament. To help achieve this target, the government has established the New Towns Taskforce, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, to provide expert, independent advice on potential locations for new large-scale developments. In LEDC’s third Espresso Shot reviewing September 2024, David and Mike unpack the objectives of the taskforce and the challenges it will face. They ask – how can it make the most positive impact?

What are the objectives of the New Towns Taskforce?
The taskforce will examine the strategic case for new towns, identify suitable locations, and provide guidance on placemaking, design, and sustainable standards. Crucially, it is tasked with developing policies and approaches to ensure that at least 40% of the homes in any new development are affordable. This reflects the government's stated commitment to tackling the housing crisis through the provision of social and affordable housing.
It is expected to produce its final report by summer 2025, covering a range of critical issues, from funding and institutional investment to delivery and innovation. With a diverse membership that includes experienced figures like Kate Barker and Nick Rainsford, the taskforce is well-positioned to draw on a wealth of expertise and provide a comprehensive set of recommendations.
Historical context and the benefits of a cross-disciplinary taskforce
The concept of new towns is not a new one in the UK. In the aftermath of World War II, 32 new communities were established across the country, with Milton Keynes often cited as a successful example, based on the strength of its economy and rapid population growth. However, more recent initiatives, such as Millennium Communities and Eco Towns, have had mixed results, raising questions about the potential for the taskforce to deliver truly transformative outcomes.
The cross-disciplinary nature of the taskforce, with its blend of planners, economists, and social housing experts, is a promising sign. This diversity of perspectives echoes the range of skillsets that are traditionally found in spatial strategic planning – and will be needed again by the teams working on England’s new wave of plans (See our bonus material on this). The breadth of knowledge and experience will help the taskforce to navigate the complex challenges facing large-scale housing development, from securing local community support to ensuring the financial viability of new towns.
Challenges facing the New Towns Taskforce
One of the big challenges the taskforce will face is maintaining the stability of the New Towns initiative in the face of multiple headwinds. With ongoing policy pressures, such as planning system reform and devolution, it will need to ensure that its recommendations can withstand the shifting political landscape and remain a priority for successive governments.
Equally important is its ability to engage effectively with local communities. As history has shown, major development projects can expect to face opposition from residents concerned about the impact on their local area. The taskforce will need to develop a robust ‘hearts and minds’ strategy to win over sceptical communities and demonstrate the benefits of new town development.
Is there a role for local and regional submissions to the New Towns Taskforce?
There is a strong case for local and city-region leadership teams to consider engaging it at an early stage. This may be in terms of innovative ideas for new settlements or urban extensions and if they have evidenced propositions within the taskforce’s overall remit that are likely to need national profile and resourcing during this parliament. They will also wish to respond to early reports and statements coming from taskforce meetings to assist with translating these ideas into the local context – both to realise positive opportunities and to surface genuine challenges in delivering taskforce prescriptions locally.
How can the New Towns Taskforce make an impact?
To make a lasting impact, it will need to strike a careful balance between proposing truly innovative solutions and building on the lessons learned from previous new town initiatives. By drawing on the expertise of its members and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, the taskforce has the potential to identify locations that can unlock the productive potential of existing constrained towns and deliver the much-needed affordable housing.
Crucially, the taskforce must ensure that its recommendations are not limited to the traditional strongholds of housing development, such as London and the Greater South East. By considering opportunities for rebalancing growth across the country, taskforce can help address regional inequalities.
Conclusion
The establishment of the New Towns Taskforce is a significant step in the government's efforts to tackle the housing crisis. With its ambitious targets and experienced membership, it has the potential to deliver transformative outcomes in places. However, success will depend on its ability to navigate the complex political and community-based challenges that have hampered previous new town initiatives.
Comments