England is set to get seven huge new towns: full list of areas shortlisted for up to 40,000 new homes

Back in September, the government revealed the 12 areas across England that it recommended for England’s ‘next generation of new towns’. The project, led by the government’s New Town Taskforce, is billed as the ‘most ambitious housebuilding project in England for half a century’. 

That list has now been whittled down to seven. Each proposed destination will have at least 10,000 homes and the largest of them will deliver around 40,000. The government also promises that they will all provide shared green spaces, ‘vibrant’ high streets and neighbourhoods that are easy to get around by car. 

Five of the shortlisted areas are within or on the outskirts of major cities. In London, there’s Crews Hill and Chase Park in Enfield which would get up to 21,000 homes and Thamesmead in Greenwich, which would get up to 15,000. In Manchester, at least 15,000 homes have been proposed for Victoria North; up to 20,000 homes have been recommended for Leeds South Bank and in the north of Bristol there’s the Brabazon and West Innovation Arc, which could get up to 40,000 homes. 

The Taskforce has also recommended Tempsford in Bedfordshire as a prime location for a new town because of its access to the East Coast Main Line and East West Rail, with strong links to Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford and London. It would get up to 40,000 new homes. 

The final recommended area for thousands of new homes is Milton Keynes. The government would create a ‘renewed town’ in the city, delivering 40,000 new homes and a new local transport system. 

The areas from the initial list that are now out of the running are Adlington in Cheshire, Heyford Park in Cherwell, Marlcombe in East Devon, Plymouth and Wychavon Town. However, officials say that they do offer ‘credible development opportunities’ and may still be supported through existing housing programmes. 

A consultation is now open until May 18, giving the public a chance to have their say on the proposed places. The list of final confirmed locations will be confirmed later this year. Names will be decided for each new town once they are finalised. 

Housing secretary Steve Reed said: ‘People want real change – homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities. Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future.

‘From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together — so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.’

Full list of shortlisted locations for new towns in England

• Tempsford, Bedfordshire 
• Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield 
• Leeds South Bank, West Yorkshire 
• Manchester Victoria North, Greater Manchester
• Thamesmead, Greenwich 
• Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, South Gloucestershire 
• Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

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