TO BE PUBLISHED September 2026
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine next steps for the development of new towns in England. The agenda will consider key issues for delivery, planning reform, funding, placemaking and stewardship as proposals for the programme move forward.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities as the Government develops its New Towns Programme, with its proposals for a new generation of large-scale settlements to support housing delivery and economic growth. Delegates will also consider the principles for planning, design and placemaking set out in the draft New Towns Planning Policy alongside the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the seven proposed locations.
Discussion will draw on recommendations on governance, delivery, funding and stewardship in the New Towns Taskforce Report and the House of Lords Built Environment Committee’s ongoing modular inquiry into new towns setting out priorities for effective delivery of new conurbations under the programme.
Planning, placemaking & design
With confirmation expected on the final selection of locations for the New Town Programme, the agenda will consider next steps for the development and approval of masterplans.
Areas for discussion include:
- alignment between the New Towns Planning Policy and New Towns Placemaking Principles - wider considerations for approaching design, planning and zoning
- implications of proposed reform to the National Planning Policy Framework - expectations for how national planning measures will function alongside the New Towns Planning Policy
- new towns developments within Spatial Development Strategies and Local Plans - implications for wider development of infrastructure, commercial and public space, and housing need
- priorities and practicalities for carrying forward unselected sites
Governance, delivery mechanisms & finance
With development corporations identified as the preferred delivery vehicles by the New Towns Taskforce, delegates will assess priorities for establishing effective governance, leadership and delivery frameworks, as well as what is needed from current construction and planning funding mechanisms to be able to meet sectoral needs.
Focus areas include:
- use of new powers introduced in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 relating to land assembly, infrastructure provision, compulsory purchase and long-term stewardship
- co-ordination mechanisms across national government, Homes England, development corporations, local authorities, infrastructure providers and developers
- practicalities for maintaining delivery momentum, achieving effective sequencing and managing risk - attracting private investment - viability considerations and fair returns
- drawing on the HoL Built Environment Committee’s inquiry on new towns and wider changes to housing investment
- infrastructure funding and long-term investment - the role of land value capture, tax increment funding and the National Housing Bank
- approaches to public procurement, delivery partnerships and cost-efficiency
Delivery, infrastructure & implementation
The agenda will examine practical considerations for delivering new towns, drawing on experience from current developments and previous large-scale settlements.
Areas for discussion include:
- progress in Tempsford, Crews Hill, Chase Park and Leeds South Bank - managing transition where construction is already underway
- lessons from Mayoral Development Corporations, Garden Cities and previous new towns - implications for governance, delivery and long-term stewardship
- improving connectivity between new towns and surrounding economic centres - strategic road, rail, public transport and active travel infrastructure
- stakeholder concerns around utilities capacity, including water supply, wastewater infrastructure, energy networks and digital connectivity
- delivering services, amenities and social and cultural infrastructure alongside housing development
- workforce capacity, supply chains and delivery capability - the role of Technical Excellence Colleges and employer-led training initiatives
Communities, placemaking & long-term stewardship
Delegates will assess approaches to creating sustainable communities and ensuring that development objectives can be maintained over the long-term.
Areas for discussion include:
- approaches to embedding high-quality design, affordability, accessibility, health, public spaces and transport into masterplanning
- local engagement and consultation - balancing national housing objectives with local priorities
- opportunities for maximising local employment and economic benefits, including participation from small and medium-sized developers and contractors
- alignment of housing, infrastructure and economic development objectives as projects progress
- stewardship arrangements for public spaces, green infrastructure and community assets
- practicalities for affordable housing mix and diversifying tenure options
Environment, growth & strategic objectives
The agenda will also consider environmental priorities and the contribution of new towns to wider economic and industrial objectives.
Areas for discussion include:
- how environmental evidence can be used to identify constraints and mitigation requirements at an early stage - the role of Strategic Environmental Assessments
- priorities for reducing impacts on nature, biodiversity and historic sites, alongside pressures on water resources and flood risk
- how the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans may affect delivery of nature recovery and biodiversity
- alignment with the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the Northern Growth Corridor
- how new towns can support economic clusters and contribute to strategic priorities in sectors such as defence, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and clean energy
- partnerships, governance arrangements and institutional coordination needed to support shared national and local objectives
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Education; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department of Health and Social Care; Department for Transport; Department for Work and Pensions; Homes England; HM Revenue and Customs; HM Treasury; Environment Agency; Forestry Commission; Office for Investment; Ofwat; Active Travel England; and the Welsh Government.
