House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Large-Scale New Communities
23 March 2026 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Proposed by Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The government is launching a public consultation on its New Towns Programme to address the housing crisis and support economic growth in England.
- Proposals for thirteen potential locations are being considered, with seven locations prioritised for inclusion in the programme.
- The consultation aims to inform final decisions on the programme's operation and ensure sustainable development practices.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the need for a new generation of large-scale new communities to address the housing crisis and support economic growth in England.
Action requested
The government is launching a public consultation on its New Towns Programme, seeking views on proposals for thirteen potential locations, with seven being prioritised for inclusion. The consultation will inform final decisions on how the programme will operate and ensure sustainable development practices. Following the consultation, final proposals are to be published later this year.
Key facts
- The government is launching a public consultation on its New Towns Programme.
- Thirteen locations have been assessed as capable of supporting the programme's objectives; seven are proposed for inclusion.
- Each location was assessed against three criteria: scale, economic growth potential and deliverability.