Labour New Towns – What’s the Plan?

The UK is in a housing crisis after the Conservative government failed their target of building 300,000 new homes every year (only building 200,000 last year). This means Labour – after winning the general election in July 2024 – have a huge task to get the required amount of housing built and ready for occupation.

Their new town plan sounds extreme, but how will it work, what is the plan, and which locations could they target?

What is the Labour new towns plan?

Labour’s plan, revealed in their election manifesto in May 2024, focuses on prioritising brownfield land, then grey belt.

Their other priorities are building affordable housing, solid infrastructure and public services, and green spaces.

• Affordable housing – Labour has set a standard target of 40% of new-build homes to be affordable, including a mix of social, council, and other tenures.
• Characterful design – ‘Beautiful buildings’ and tree-lined streets are targeted with robust design codes that fit in with nearby areas and pay close attention to local history and identity -reducing the copy-and-paste style of new-builds around the country.
• Future development – High-density housing must efficiently use all available land with links to other towns and city centres.
• Infrastructure – New houses will not be isolated; they’ll have excellent transport links and nearby GP surgeries and schools.
• Green space – Providing new homes with access to nature and parks, with embedded greenery and new facilities for kids to play and exercise.

The deputy prime minister, Angel Rayner, has previously stated that Labour will converse with people already in their target areas to ensure they do things properly and align with the area.

She told BBC News: “I think we can do it in a more popular way. I actually think they will be more popular, with more local say, and that local people will be able to get the houses they need.

“A lot of the time, we’re seeing these developments that are not given to local people, they’re not providing the housing that people need, and they’re not on the right sites. We’re seeing development in places where people don’t want them.”

Ms Rayner also confirmed in May that a New Town Commission would be set up within the first six months of Labour being in power and a list of sites for new towns would be released within a year.

Where could Labour build their new towns?

The new Labour government is yet to release information on their proposed target locations for new towns. However, that does not stop us from predicting them.

Based on locations with economic potential, existing infrastructure, and the capacity to develop further, here are five possible locations that Labour may target to build new towns.

Cambridge

Cambridge has direct transport links to London which is an immediate win for Labour. It also has an excelling tech and research sector alongside the historic Cambridge University.

Additionally, the Greater Cambridge Partnership aims to increase house buildings with plans for up to 150,000 new homes by 2050. With a clear aim in the region to build homes, it would be no surprise to see Labour jump at the opportunity to expand this fantastic area.

Thames Estuary

The Thames Estuary, near Ebbsfleet, could be a prime target for Labour’s new housing plan thanks to its proximity to London and newly upgraded transport links, like the HS1.

Also, this area would support London’s overflow and offer potential for waterfront housing.

South Hampshire

South Hampshire could be another target for the Labour new towns plan. Situated not far from London and offering a coastal allure, it’s clear why Labour could look at this region.

South Hampshire does require upgrades and economic growth, thanks to the plentiful green spaces, it could be a fantastic location for a new town.

Midlands

The Midlands is a huge and bustling area of the UK that’s ready for more growth. Its central position in England means it offers excellent opportunities to set up transport links to different corners of the country.

Norwich

And finally, Norwich could be a target thanks to its excellent transport links and strong infrastructure. Norwich has a good economic base to support sustainable growth and has a vibrant cultural scene, which could appeal to many families around the UK.

Future of housing in the UK

The UK is currently in a housing crisis, which we covered in a recent blog about Labour housing targets. The new government is targeting housing as a key issue early on in their leadership and it’s clear they’re looking at ways to alleviate the stresses of this sector.

At ABC+ Warranty, we’re always on top of any developments in the housing industry and let you know every detail.

For property developers tasked with building new homes over the next few years, we can offer you a fantastic new build warranty. We can also provide a social housing warranty, a Professional Consultants’ Certificate, and more.

If you’re interested, simply get in touch with our friendly team, who are happy to help.