The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched an inquiry into new towns and expanded settlements.
The committee plans to study if these new developments effectively provide housing and how to ensure their success.
The Government intends to have up to 12 new towns under construction by the next election, with over 100 potential sites identified, mostly around London, the southeast, and southwest.
The first part of the inquiry will look at the practicality of delivering these towns, questioning if their construction was achievable.
It will examine the roles of local, regional, and central Government, and how devolution might impact delivery.
The inquiry will also assess the private sector’s role and consider alternative funding models, using successful examples from the UK and abroad.
Additionally, the inquiry will consider practical challenges such as the construction sector’s capacity, potential legal issues, and the importance of thorough community consultation.
Lord Richard Gascoigne, chair of the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, said: “The UK has a chronic housing shortage and, like its predecessors, the new Government has very ambitious housebuilding targets to address these shortages.
“It is hoping that these new towns can make a contribution to solving the nation’s housing shortage.
“Our initial inquiry will focus on practical delivery and seek to understand the legal, political, and economic channels through which new and expanded settlements can be successfully delivered.”
Gascoigne added: “To inform our work we want to hear from as broad a range of people as possible.
“If you have a view on any aspect of our inquiry, look at our call for evidence and let us know what you think.”
