Taskforce recommends 12 potential sites
Worcestershire Parkway has been named among 12 sites across England recommended for the country’s next generation of new towns.
The proposals, published in an independent report led by Sir Michael Lyons, form part of the government’s ambition to tackle the housing crisis with large-scale development.
The New Towns Taskforce says each settlement should include at least 10,000 homes, with a minimum of 40% affordable housing and half of those for social rent.
Ministers have pledged to start work on at least three new towns in this parliament, though a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) must first be completed before final decisions are made.
West Midlands focus
For the West Midlands, the key proposal is an expanded development around Worcestershire Parkway, the rail hub near Worcester that opened in 2020. The taskforce says the site could act as a model for sustainable, carbon-neutral development, capitalising on its strong transport links to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and London.
By accelerating housing delivery around the station, the plan aims to meet regional housing demand while offering residents easy access to rail connections. With housebuilding in the Midlands under pressure from rising costs and planning delays, the proposal could bring much-needed momentum.
National picture
Alongside Worcestershire Parkway, the taskforce recommends new or expanded developments at sites including Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Leeds South Bank, Manchester’s Victoria North and Thamesmead in Greenwich. Other locations span Plymouth, East Devon and Milton Keynes.
The government has welcomed all 12 recommended sites, but said Tempsford, Crews Hill in Enfield and Leeds currently look the most advanced. A new “New Towns Unit” will be established to coordinate delivery, unblock barriers and ensure projects are “test beds for innovation”.
Building for the future
Housing secretary Steve Reed said the government wanted the new towns to “boost growth, create vibrant communities and deliver high-quality homes”. The projects are expected to draw in both public and private investment, though costs could run into tens of billions.
Consultation on the draft proposals and the SEA will take place in spring, with confirmed locations to follow.
