Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will require New Towns Development Corporations to produce a design code for new towns.

The government has been clear that the next generation of new towns must be well-connected, well-designed, sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities, and services necessary to sustain thriving communities.

Building on lessons learned from past initiatives, the New Towns Taskforce developed draft placemaking principles. These were set out in the Taskforce’s interim update on the new towns programme which can be found on gov.uk here. They highlighted the importance of long-term vision and stewardship, as well as the central role of local communities in shaping the place they live in. Importantly, the principles also include a 40% affordable housing target, with an emphasis on homes for social rent.

The Taskforce has now submitted its final report to the government. This includes its final recommendations on design and placemaking. The government will now take a short period to consider carefully the Taskforce's recommendations and we will then publish both the report and a formal response.