Government Response to the Committee's report "New Towns: Laying the Foundations"

This is the government's response, published 28 January 2026.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the Committee's inquiry and says it will address many of the recommendations in more detail in the Spring, following the necessary consultations and assessments.

• On locations, the government will carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment, consult on it early next year, and confirm locations in the Spring. It has "committed to have spades on the ground in at least three new towns within this Parliament".
• On design and placemaking, the government "supports the placemaking approach" recommended by the Taskforce. Final selection of principles is "subject to environmental assessment and consultation", and it "will consider" which design review mechanisms to use.
• On delivery vehicles, the government "agrees with the Taskforce" that the preference should be the development corporation model, while recognising "the need for flexibility". It "will assess" delivery vehicle options for each place.
• On funding and financing, the government points to existing housing programmes and says it "will respond fully to the Taskforce recommendations on funding and financing new towns in the Spring".

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