TO BE PUBLISHED September 2026
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This conference will examine next steps for the development of new towns in England. It will consider key issues relating to delivery, planning reform, funding, placemaking and stewardship as proposals for the programme move forward.
Planning, infrastructure and devolution
The discussion will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to examine priorities following the Government’s publication of the draft New Towns Programme, draft New Towns Planning Policy and Strategic Environmental Assessment for the seven proposed locations. In the context of the New Towns Taskforce Report, the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and proposed reform to the National Planning Policy Framework, delegates will assess delivery mechanisms and timeframes, the role of development corporations, and implications for local planning, infrastructure co-ordination and devolution as the consultation proceeds.
Funding and investment
Further discussion will look at funding and financing, drawing on the House of Lords Built Environment Committee’s inquiry on new towns and wider changes to housing investment. Attendees will assess priorities for land assembly, infrastructure funding and long-term stewardship, including the role of land value capture, tax increment funding, the National Housing Bank, support for mayoral strategic authorities, and approaches to attracting private investment while managing viability and fair returns.
Accessibility and environmental protection
The agenda will also consider placemaking, community engagement and environmental priorities as proposals move forward. This includes approaches to balancing national housing objectives with local involvement, embedding high-quality design, affordability, accessibility, health and transport into masterplanning, and consideration of how the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans may affect delivery of nature recovery and biodiversity at scale.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy:
- draft New Towns Programme, draft New Towns Planning Policy and proposed National Planning Policy Framework reform
- implications for site selection, delivery models and implementation - priorities for legislative and policy alignment
- implementation:
- timeframes for bringing forward proposed locations - land assembly, compulsory purchase and certainty for landowners - co-ordination of utilities, transport and social infrastructure
- delivery and responsibilities:
- role of development corporations - interaction with local authorities, combined authorities and devolution arrangements - delivery, oversight and long-term stewardship
- planning:
- integrating measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Act - implications for local plans, infrastructure sequencing and affordable housing - developing a clear, cross-department approach
- funding and finance:
- public investment in housing, transport, utilities and social infrastructure - land value capture and tax increment funding
- attracting private capital - scheme viability and managing development costs
- role of the National Housing Bank - support for combined authorities through housing funds - implications of existing support, including social and affordable housing programmes
- community priorities:
- approaches to local engagement where sites face opposition - national development priorities and local involvement - role of councils in representing local interests
- placemaking:
- translating Taskforce priorities into delivery - access to transport and green space, density and mixed-use development - implications for healthy, inclusive and accessible communities
- nature and resilience:
- impact of the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans - scaling up biodiversity net gain and nature recovery - next steps for climate-resilient development frameworks
- design quality:
- masterplanning and standards - affordability, safety, accessibility and health considerations - approaches to balancing cost pressures with high-quality design as schemes progress
