Civil engineering and constructionNews

Government to create next generation of New Towns

The UK Government has unveiled plans for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, with over 100 sites across England put forward for consideration to develop a new generation of towns.

This bold initiative will unlock hundreds of thousands of new homes, alongside essential infrastructure such as schools, GP surgeries, and transport links, as part of the Plan for Change to tackle the UK’s housing crisis.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the government’s commitment to homeownership and affordable housing: “This is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about security and stability. Too many families see homeownership as a distant dream, and we are taking action to change that. We’re sweeping away the blockers, unlocking new sites, and creating beautiful, thriving communities where people want to live.”

Major planning reforms to accelerate housebuilding

The government is rolling out a series of planning reforms to streamline the process, speed up approvals, and remove bureaucratic obstacles to construction.

🏗 New Homes Accelerator Programme – Already unblocking stalled developments, with 20,000 homes now progressing
📜 Planning & Infrastructure Bill – Cutting red tape and ensuring faster approval processes
🏢 £5Bn housing investment, including £800M in additional funding for the Affordable Homes Programme

Supporting local construction & regeneration

The initiative also includes targeted funding to revitalise brownfield sites and support local regeneration efforts:

🏙 £30M for Bradford to transform derelict land into a vibrant residential area
🌳 £1.5M for Manchester Victoria North, delivering 15,000 homes with transport links & green spaces
🏗 £20M to redevelop small-scale council-owned sites into housing

A Game-Changer for the industry

With an unprecedented focus on housing delivery, the government’s housebuilding strategy represents a major boost for the UK construction supply chain. Increased demand for materials, labour, and infrastructure will create new opportunities for contractors, developers, and suppliers across the country.

As Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner stated: “We will not shy away from the tough choices needed to fix Britain’s broken housing system. By unlocking stalled developments and setting out a clear vision for new towns, we are delivering the homes, jobs, and infrastructure that Britain needs.”

With construction momentum building and the next generation of new towns on the horizon, the UK is entering a transformative era for housing and infrastructure development.

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