The government has published the following consultation, which runs for (approx) 8 weeks from 23/03/2026 until 19/05/2026:
Consultation document:
Notes:
- The webpage (link) for the above consultation document includes the following information:
- "The government is publishing a public consultation on the new towns draft programme and its environmental implications.".
- "Since the publication of the New Towns Taskforce report [link] in September 2025, the government has been developing the programme to unlock significant economic potential, lay the foundations for long-term sustainable growth, and create places at a scale that allows them to be built with all the infrastructure they need to succeed.".
- "This consultation invites views on:
>>> how the new towns draft programme could operate the 7 proposed locations
>>> how new towns could be delivered and planned
>>> the proposed approach to design and planning policy
>>> the government’s offer to locations".
- "It also invites views on a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report which focuses on:
>>> local environmental constraints
>>> the cumulative effects of new towns development
>>> practical methods of mitigation and monitoring".
- "Following this consultation and completion of the SEA and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the New Town programme locations later in summer 2026.".
- "We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.". - Note: The webpage (link) for the above consultation document also includes the following documents:
- "Annex A: Draft New Towns Planning Policy".
- "Annex B: Final Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) environmental report".
- "Annex C: Locations Methodology - New Towns Draft Programme".
Other sources of information: