The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched the third and final module of its inquiry into the Government’s plans for the next generation of new towns.
The first module looked at the fundamental legal, financial, fiscal, and governance frameworks that need to be in place before any construction of new towns can begin.
The second module focused on how to ensure that each of the new towns and expanded settlements can become thriving, successful communities where families want to live and set down roots.
This time the committee will consider the practical, physical challenges facing the construction and development sector as they seek to deliver new towns for the nation.
This third module will focus on construction and development and seeks to answer a fundamental question: what are the factors limiting the construction of new towns? Or put another way, what might be stopping us from getting spades in the ground and having new towns built quickly and to a high standard? The committee plans on examining material supply chains, labour shortages, connections to utility providers, and the role of diverse house builders, but it is keen to hear of other potential topics of interest.
The Committee is seeking to answer the following questions:
- Once locations have been agreed, what are the factors limiting the physical construction of new towns? Which are the most important? How can they be addressed?
- What do you think are the greatest challenges associated with connecting new towns and expanded settlements to utilities? How can these challenges be addressed?
- Which policy areas or barriers represent the ‘low-hanging fruit’ for this inquiry? Are there any ‘quick fixes’ that the Committee and Government could address?
- What can the Government and new town delivery vehicles do in the short term to ensure that construction of new towns over the coming years and decades is successful?
- How can the Government give assurance to suppliers, builders and developers that new towns are a viable source of business and a credible investment opportunity?
- How can we ensure that new towns and expanded settlements are delivered to a high-quality standard that go beyond minimum expectations for construction and demonstrates best practice for sustainability, aesthetics and place-making?
- Which case studies of large-scale construction projects should the Committee and Government look at to learn from best and worst practice in construction and supply logistics?
Lord Gascoigne, Chair of the Built Environment Committee commented: “The Government’s new towns programme is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build high-quality homes within thriving communities.
“Now that the Government has set out the new town locations that will be considered, there needs to be a focus on the practical, logistical and physical challenges that will prevent getting spades in the ground to build them.
“We want to hear your views on how the actual barriers to new town construction can be addressed.”
