Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Towns

Monday 7 April 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Bracknell was designated a new town 76 years ago and has been successful due to its design with leisure facilities, nature access, and transport links.
  • The housing crisis is a challenge across England, and the independent new towns taskforce is reviewing submissions to recommend locations for new towns.
  • The Planning and Infrastructure Bill sets mandatory targets and works with developers to meet standards for infrastructure delivery.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Swallow Lab Bracknell
Housing Transport Local Government
Context

Refers to Bracknell's success as a designated new town in 1946 with well-designed infrastructure. Asks about the Government's plans for future new towns.

Question

Bracknell was designated a new town 76 years ago, and it has been a huge success, partly due to its design with leisure facilities, nature access, and transport links built into its DNA. Given that the government is planning the next generation of new towns, will my right hon. Friend commit to learning from past successes like Bracknell?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

I agree with my hon. Friend that there is a lot to admire from the past, including Bracknell. We are learning lessons from previous new towns to ensure future ones are well connected, designed sustainably, and attractive places where people want to live, with necessary infrastructure and services.

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Q2 Ben Goldsborough Lab South Norfolk
Housing
Context

Asks about the housing crisis in both city centres and rural areas. Mentions South Norfolk as an area needing affordable housing.

Question

The housing crisis is a challenge across England, not just in city centres but also in rural communities like South Norfolk, where we need to address local housing needs with affordable homes. Would my right hon. Friend consider establishing a new town in South Norfolk to tackle this issue?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

I agree with my hon. Friend that the housing crisis is widespread in England. The independent new towns taskforce is reviewing submissions to their call for evidence to recommend locations for new towns. This process highlights significant enthusiasm across the country.

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Q3 Mark Francois Con Rayleigh and Wickford
Housing
Context

Refers to a local paper revealing plans for building up to 10,000 houses in Southend and Rochford councils' area. Asks if these would be additional or part of the existing targets.

Question

Our local paper reported that Labour-led Southend council and Lib Dem-led Rochford council plan a new town with up to 10,000 houses on their border by 2043, which is unsustainable given current infrastructure constraints. Would these houses be additional or part of the housing targets?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

We have not selected locations yet; the taskforce is still working on recommendations. We have stated that what the new towns deliver will be in addition to housing targets produced through standard methods.

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Q4 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Housing
Context

Mentions delays and infrastructure issues in the development of Sherford new town, including supermarket delays, GP surgery cost overruns, and National Grid pylon relocation.

Question

In Sherford new town, there are significant delays with a supermarket, escalated costs for moving National Grid pylons, and delayed delivery of essential services like a GP surgery. What conversations is the Secretary of State having with key infrastructure providers to remove such obstacles?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

We are working across Government to ensure infrastructure delivery through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We set mandatory targets and push developers to meet these standards properly.

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