On 28 September 2025 the MHCLG published the government’s Initial government response-September 2025 setting out their thoughts and first reactions to the New Town Taskforce’s recommendations, and policy on planning, land acquisition and next steps. If we compare this step with the total abdication of spatial leadership by the previous government over 14 years , … Continue reading Exemplary new towns

Two sensible pieces written by thoughtful journalists in the The I Paper yesterday (Friday, 26 September 2025) by Richard Vaughan and Richard Palmer (Poundbury homes built by King inspire Labour’s new towns); and BBC News online today by Sean Coughlan (How the King’s vision is shaping the next wave of new towns) contain encouraging insights … Continue reading Buying land for new towns

There is a school of thought which says new towns, and large urban extensions, are not the right way to solve the homes crisis. Instead the focus must be on regeneration of urban centres. Critics say new towns are an out of date solution; not sustainable; because governments, not people decide; that they will destroy … Continue reading Can new towns succeed?

Sir James Cleverly is the recently appointed Conservative shadow housing secretary. So what he says in response to the government’s housing policy statements matters a lot. Labour are showing welcome courage and maturity, by elevating new home building much higher up in their policy priorities. Much higher than any previous government. Evidence of the sincerity … Continue reading Planning and Cross-Party Leadership

Simon Collier, a partner at David Lock Associates has posted on LinkedIn an excellent article published in the The Sunday Times at the recent bank holiday,(24 August, 2025). Written by Tom Knowles and Lottie Hayton, it tells us ‘How to build a new town’ . So far as the piece goes, with solid professional support … Continue reading New towns: next steps