Labour used its party conference this week to unveil plans for 12 new towns and a broader package of housing initiatives across England.
Ministers framed the proposals as a long-term solution to the housing crisis, promising 1.5 million new homes in the current Parliament, including a significant proportion designated as affordable.
Industry experts, however, warned that without clear plans for land release, funding, and planning reform, the projects risk remaining unbuilt promises.
New towns and housing targets
Housing Secretary Steve Reed outlined plans to construct 12 new towns, with the first three sites scheduled to start construction before the next general election:
- Tempsford, Bedfordshire
- Crews Hill, north London
- South Bank, Leeds
Reed said, “The Conservatives blocked the homes people need. We will give working people the key to a decent home.”
He emphasised that the new towns would be a “step-change” rather than incremental measures, entering the stage in a red hat emblazoned with “Build, Baby, Build.”
Labour also reaffirmed plans to deliver 1.5 million homes across the Parliament, including a target that 40% of homes in new developments would be affordable, with half of those designated as social housing.
Industry reactions
Responses from the housing and planning sector highlighted skepticism about whether the plans can be delivered:
Brian Berry, Federation of Master Builders, said: “Unless planning is simplified, smaller builders risk being locked out of large projects.”
Kate Henderson, National Housing Federation, commented: “Delivery will depend on long-term funding and cooperation with housing associations.”
Tracy Harrison, Northern Housing Consortium, added: “We cannot just build new towns while existing northern estates continue to decline.”
Crispin Truman, Campaign to Protect Rural England, warned: “We support affordable homes, but new towns must not be delivered at the expense of the countryside.”
Miles Gibson, Director of Policy at the Town and Country Planning Association, summed up a common industry concern: “Without concrete changes to how land is released and projects are financed, the scale of new towns risks being a promise rather than a programme.”
Implications for homebuilders and local communities
For individuals, small developers, and local councils, the new towns could eventually provide opportunities for housing supply, but these are contingent on concrete planning approvals, infrastructure delivery, and financial backing.
Analysts stress that unless these mechanisms are addressed, the announced projects may not materialise, leaving communities with expectations that are slow to become reality.
Industry insiders are watching closely to see whether Labour follows through with the promised pace of construction and the rollout of affordable housing commitments, noting that large-scale schemes historically take years to progress from announcement to completion.
