The UK government has unveiled plans to develop up to 12 new towns across England, with three priority locations in Bedfordshire, London, and Leeds expected to progress before the next general election, aiming to address urgent housing and economic growth needs.
The UK government has announced a shortlist of 12 potential locations for the next generation of new towns, highlighting three priority sites in Bedfordshire, London, and Leeds that could progress to development before the next general election. The selected sites—Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Crews Hill in Enfield, and the South Bank in Leeds—have been earmarked for their strong potential to boost economic growth and deliver large-scale housing quickly. This move forms part of a broader commitment to initiate construction on at least three new towns during the current parliamentary term.
These shortlisted locations emerged from the work of the New Towns Taskforce, led by Sir Michael Lyons and Dame Kate Barker, which has been tasked with identifying sites capable of providing significant housing capacity and driving sustainable development. In total, these 12 sites hold the potential to deliver up to 300,000 homes over several decades. Alongside the three priority locations, others include Adlington in Cheshire East, Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc in South Gloucestershire, Heyford Park in Oxfordshire, Victoria North in Manchester, Marlcombe in East Devon, central Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Thamesmead in Greenwich, and Worcestershire Parkway in Wychavon.
The government emphasises that no final decisions have yet been made on locations, pending the conclusion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) expected next spring. This process will ensure environmental and sustainability factors are adequately considered, and it could lead to changes in the preferred sites. A public consultation on the draft proposals and the SEA findings is planned for early next year, with final site selections due by spring 2026.
New towns are planned to be well-rounded, self-sustaining communities, designed to incorporate a minimum of 40% affordable housing, half of which would be designated for social rent. The developments aim to prioritise walkability, access to active travel routes, public transport, green spaces, and essential local services such as schools and GP practices. The government is considering development corporations as the principal delivery model, though variations involving mayoral and public-private partnerships will be explored based on local circumstances.
A significant aspect of the strategy includes leveraging compulsory purchase powers for land acquisition, with a targeted removal of “hope value” compensation where affordable housing provision justifies this approach. Funding will be sourced from existing government housing budgets, including the £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme and capital managed by the National Housing Bank. Integration with broader government spending on infrastructure—such as roads, energy, and health—is also planned to support these developments comprehensively.
This initiative is part of a wider government response to England’s housing shortage, aiming not only to build homes but to drive sustainable economic growth and create vibrant, well-connected communities. Over 100 potential sites across England were originally proposed for consideration, each capable of delivering at least 10,000 new homes and equipped with necessary infrastructure like schools and healthcare facilities, according to government statements.
The New Towns Taskforce, established to oversee the programme, comprises eight industry experts who are also focused on agreeing principles and standards for quality placemaking and exploring innovative funding mechanisms to attract investment. This approach draws on lessons from previous new town developments, emphasising sustainability, affordability, and integrated infrastructure to meet contemporary demands.
Political backing for new towns has been strong, with opposition leaders, such as Labour’s Keir Starmer, pledging that work on up to 12 new towns will commence before the next general election. This bipartisan approach underscores the urgency and broad recognition of the housing crisis in England.
While enthusiasm for the programme grows, a recent inquiry launched by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee seeks to assess the effectiveness of new towns as a housing solution. The inquiry examines the legal, political, and economic challenges involved in delivering such large-scale projects to ensure that commitments translate into successful outcomes on the ground.
With comprehensive planning underway, including environmental assessments, public consultations, and cross-sector collaboration, the government’s new towns programme represents an ambitious, long-term strategy to alleviate housing pressures and foster sustainable community growth across England.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding the UK government’s initiative to establish new towns, with a publication date of 28 September 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 12 February 2025, when The Guardian reported on the government’s commitment to constructing up to 12 new towns by the next election. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/12/up-to-12-new-towns-will-be-under-construction-in-england-by-next-election-says-starmer?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data and references to official government publications, indicating a high freshness score. However, the presence of earlier reports with similar content suggests a moderate freshness score. No evidence of recycled content from low-quality sites or clickbait networks was found. The narrative is based on a press release from the UK government, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests that the update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from government officials and references to official publications. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the UK government’s press release dated 31 July 2024, announcing the establishment of the New Towns Taskforce. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/expert-taskforce-to-spearhead-a-new-generation-of-new-towns?utm_source=openai)) No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating that the quotes are original. No variations in quote wording were noted. No online matches were found for the quotes, suggesting potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Construction News, a reputable UK-based publication known for its coverage of the construction industry. The UK government is a reliable source, and the New Towns Taskforce is an official body established by the government. The individuals mentioned, such as Sir Michael Lyons and Dame Kate Barker, are verifiable public figures with established records. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative’s claims align with recent government initiatives and reports regarding new town developments. The government’s commitment to constructing new towns has been covered by reputable outlets, including The Guardian. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/12/up-to-12-new-towns-will-be-under-construction-in-england-by-next-election-says-starmer?utm_source=openai)) The report includes specific details about the shortlisted sites and the government’s plans, which are consistent with official publications. The language and tone are consistent with official government communications. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were noted. The tone is formal and appropriate for the subject matter.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent government press release and aligns with previous reports on the UK’s new town initiatives. The quotes are original, and the sources are reliable. The claims are plausible and consistent with official communications. No significant issues were identified, leading to a high confidence in the assessment.
