Latest news with #NewTownsTaskforce
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls for probe into 10,000 new homes plan
Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt land. Southend and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in Rochford. However, local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council meeting. Leader of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate. The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new towns. Councils were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and December. Southend and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in 2018. However, they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead. Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a debate. They also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the process. Cox, leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the proposal. Moyies, councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic". Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure". He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Detailed plan for homes on farmland expected soon Essex housing target increases by 37% Plan for new flats approved despite parking fears Southend on Sea Council Rochford District Council
BBC News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Southend and Rochford 10,000 new home plan sparks calls for probe
Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate. The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead. Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic".Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure".He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Labour's new towns plan means home ownership no longer pipe dream for millions of Britons, says Angela Rayner
Angela Rayner has on Thursday vowed that Labour 's plans to build new towns across England will mean that the idea of buying a new home will no longer be a pipe dream for millions. Writing exclusively for The Independent, the deputy prime minister offered 'hope' to ' generation rent ' and those forced to live with their parents because they cannot afford to buy their own home. It comes as she and Sir Keir Starmer visit one of 100 potential sites for one of the new towns which have been put forward for consideration on Thursday. A decision is expected in six months time with an expectation 10 to 12 will be chosen and shovels will go in the ground before the next election in 2029. Ms Rayner wrote: 'It's to restore hope to people who cannot afford to buy or rent. To give hope to 'generation rent' - the young people stuck living with their parents because there is nowhere else for them to go and for whom home ownership is out of reach. 'Decent housing is not a privilege – it's a right. And in our new towns, our aim is for at least 40 per cent of homes to be affordable, including social housing.' The towns will be a mixture of social and private housing and have been inspired by the ones built under Labour's post Second World War government led by Clement Atlee. Ms Rayner said: 'The vision was Clement Attlee's, inspired to act and rebuild after the devastation of World War II. 'His Labour government stepped up to create entire towns from scratch - homes, jobs and communities to transform the lives of millions of working families and the economy. 'Now we're bringing that energy back, to create new towns of the future. It's high time – in fact, it's long overdue given the housing crisis that's squeezing people to breaking point.' The new towns then included Milton Keynes, Crawley, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City. 'The post-war towns weren't perfect, but they showed what can be achieved when you put people first,' said the deputy prime minister. 'Today, millions of people live in New Towns, and they remain a crucial driver of growth. 'Our ambition is that our new generation of New Towns will provide hundreds of thousands more homes.' Ms Rayner promised that the new towns will have full amenities, transport links and parks while the government insists that they will be community led in design and 'look good'. She wrote: ' Britain 's new towns movement was one of the most exciting and ambitious projects in our country's history. 'A huge and lasting achievement. But I can boil down the secret of its success in four words. It put people first.' She added:'It's high time – in fact, it's long overdue given the housing crisis that's squeezing people to breaking point. 'Drawn up by the independent New Towns Taskforce, they are in the best tradition of the originals – enduring success stories like Stevenage and Crawley, Welwyn and Hale. 'As their first residents realised, they could look forward to a better quality of life.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Why my new towns plan brings hope to Generation Rent
Britain's New Towns movement was one of the most exciting and ambitious projects in our country's history. It was a huge and lasting achievement. But I can boil down the secret of its success in four words: it put people first. The vision was Clement Attlee 's, inspired to act and rebuild after the devastation of World War II. His Labour government stepped up to create entire towns from scratch – homes, jobs and communities to transform the lives of millions of working families and the economy. Now we're bringing that energy back, to create new towns of the future. It's high time – in fact, it's long overdue given the housing crisis that's squeezing people to breaking point. So today we're taking an early and important step: publishing draft placemaking principles for the design of new towns anyone would be proud to call home. Drawn up by the independent New Towns Taskforce, they are in the best tradition of the originals – enduring success stories like Stevenage and Crawley, Welwyn and Hale. As their first residents realised, they could look forward to a better quality of life. The designers had sat down and thought: What did people need, day to day? What are the building blocks that make a great place to live? Airy green spaces, decent transport links, amenities, and services on the doorstep – and of course affordable homes. Everything you'd want, rolled into one. I didn't grow up in a new town, but in Stockport my family did benefit from the kind of tight-knit communities we want to see grow up again. We had shops, schools and a GP close by, and parks and woodlands free for all to enjoy. We could walk everywhere we had to – no need for a car – but there was public transport right there when you wanted to go further afield. And like our own New Towns Programme, the post-war movement was about so much more than putting roofs over heads – although for me that is mission critical. It was about spotting the vital link – still there now - between quality, affordable housing and ensuring the nation's good health and education, and robust growth. About bringing people hope, opportunities and renewed ambition. And let's not forget the economic benefits – new jobs and a boost for industry. Unlike the last government, we will avoid the curse of the missed opportunity: failing to take advantage of creating steady jobs; building modern infrastructure, and all the social opportunities that flow from new settlements. As part of our Plan for Change to improve living standards right across the country, we are delivering 1.5 million homes over the next five years. It's to restore hope to people who cannot afford to buy or rent. To give hope to ' Generation Rent,' the young people stuck living with their parents because there is nowhere else for them to go, and for whom home ownership is out of reach. Decent housing is not a privilege – it's a right. And in our New Towns, our aim is for at least 40% of homes to be affordable, including social housing. The post-war towns weren't perfect, but they showed what can be achieved when you put people first. Today, millions of people live in New Towns, and they remain a crucial driver of growth. Our ambition is that our new generation of New Towns will provide hundreds of thousands more homes. By the end of its year-long mission, the independent Taskforce under its experienced chair Sir Michael Lyons will come up with a list of possible locations for new towns. Our ambition is to create well-designed and sustainable communities – good for the environment and cost-effective for residents. Let's be clear – this isn't just a pipe dream. The original new towns repaid the £4.75 billion of government loans provided to build them. They made economic sense – and we know about the huge social upside. And by learning the lessons of the past and what worked well, we will make sure residents of our new towns want to build their lives there for generations to come. By investing in a 21st century new towns movement we are tackling the housing crisis head-on while also creating long-term growth and jobs. We aren't just building homes and infrastructure but hope and a vision of a better future. That's the kind of forward-thinking we need today, and it's what this government is delivering by putting people first.
