A Scorecard for the Seven New Towns

Nikhil Datta, Amrita Kulka

The government’s new town strategy is one part of its efforts to address the UK’s housing shortage through large-scale development. However, the success of such projects depends less on the quantity of housing built and more on where it is built. Our analysis highlights stark differences across the proposed sites. Proposed locations in Manchester and Leeds benefit from strong existing demand and connectivity, making them well-positioned for rapid and successful development. Others, particularly Tempsford and Enfield, face significant structural challenges that may limit their viability.

Responsive Public Policy