What’s happening?
The UK Government has outlined plans for settlements designed with modern infrastructure and sustainable communities in mind. The New Towns Task Force will identify specific locations and funding options by summer 2025, with a view to construction on the first sites beginning by the time of the next election.
Most of the sites are expected to be urban extensions or redevelopments of existing places alongside a smaller number of standalone settlements. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, MP, stated that new towns will contribute to the UK Government’s 1.5 million homes target, but achieving that goal also relies on other changes, such as overhauling the national planning policy framework and helping new sites to be developed.
Measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in January 2025 are designed to unlock development, remove planning barriers, and encourage investment in infrastructure projects, making it easier for builders to deliver new homes quickly.
New legislation is the next step
To support delivery, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be introduced to parliament in March 2025 with measures to modernise, up-skill and empower local planning committees and officers.
The Royal Town Planning Institute has responded cautiously, stating that to meet the UK Government's housing targets and support economic growth, planning departments need long-term effective solutions to resourcing issues. Local authorities must also be given greater powers to ensure prompt build-out of sites with planning permission, as well as the ability to set planning fees at a local level.
Agents’ local knowledge will benefit clients
Faster housebuilding and new town developments will alter supply and demand, impacting property prices, rental yields, and the overall dynamics of local markets. New homes and modern communities can create fresh opportunities, and being well-informed can help agents advise clients better—whether they’re buying, selling, or renting.
With planning rules evolving, it will be important to stay updated on local planning applications and developments. Professionals should engage with local councils and planning authorities to understand how new policies may affect their area.
How Propertymark supports members
We are committed to helping agents navigate these changes. We will continue to monitor developments, keeping a close eye on UK Government announcements and industry shifts.
Through our news articles, webinars, and resources, we aim to give members the tools to adjust their business strategy as the housing landscape evolves.
A community of experts
We encourage our members to share their experiences and insights with us and with each other in our welcoming Facebook Members Group. Together, we can better understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities these reforms bring.
As the UK housing market faces this period of change, staying informed and proactive is more important than ever. Propertymark welcomes member feedback and insights as we monitor these developments.
Propertymark welcomes the proposal to deliver housing by building new towns across England. We look forward to hearing further details on precise locations, as they must fully enhance and complement the regions where they will be built.
It is encouraging to hear that sustaining infrastructure, such as education and health facilities, will be closely integrated within the master plan for each proposed town, as all too often, sizable developments can be built without reasonable supporting arrangements.
The UK Government must work closely with key stakeholders to ensure each new town brings a diverse mix of properties, all capable of delivering the right combination of homes to meet the needs of household and age demographic requirements in the areas they will be placed.
