The New Towns Taskforce has held its first meeting, confirming the final list of members and pushing towards identifying potential new town sites
The recently created New Towns Taskforce held its first meeting yesterday in Milton Keynes, a new town created after the Second World War.
This is the first of many meetings, with the taskforce set to give a report on potential new town locations to the government next year.
The final members were appointed at the meeting
The meeting saw eight new and final members appointed to the taskforce, all industry experts across planning, infrastructure delivery, architecture, and urban regeneration.
With the taskforce firmly set and each members responsibilities confirmed, they will focus on determining the best sites across the nation for new towns, largescale communities, and thousands of new homes.
The job will consist of:
- Identifying and reviewing locations with high potential for a new town
- Agreeing on the required principles and standards for said locations
- exploring new ways to secure funding and investment
- Finding solutions to barriers for new towns
The first meeting also featured a video call with the deputy prime minister
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Today marks a momentous step in our journey to deliver the next generation of new towns and transform the lives of millions of working people in every part of the country.
“We want to see new communities with real character –providing genuinely affordable, safe and secure homes, much-needed infrastructure and well-paying jobs.
“With a strong team of experts standing by his side, I have every confidence in Sir Michael’s leadership and his Taskforce is working at pace to make sure our long-term ambition becomes a reality.”
Housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycook said: “I am really pleased that the New Towns Taskforce has held its first meeting today.
“It brings together a wealth of experience from across the industry, and I look forward to engaging with it over the months ahead as it works to identify the most suitable locations across the country for large-scale new communities.”
