Building new towns for the future

The Government has published this policy paper on its New Towns programme, providing an update on Phase One of the New Towns Taskforce, reiterating the programme’s aims and objectives and lessons learned from previous programmes which will help inform the Taskforce’s final report and outlining arrangements for Phase Two.

While there is reference to a number of key characteristics the government wants to see in the creation of new towns as part of its drive to build 1.5m new homes, including the links to health and wellbeing, affordable housing and a diverse range of dwelling types, there is no mention of the recommendations of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce in relation to planning for age-friendly homes and communities or any explicit reference to how the new towns will incorporate accessible, adaptable or inclusive design from the outset. Previous government statements refer to a new towns design code which will inform the ‘character’ of new towns.