Housing Secretary Steve Reed has announced an ambitious plan to transform Crews Hill, a small village in Enfield, into a new town featuring at least 10,000 homes before the next general election. With a current population of approximately 566, Crews Hill is being targeted for significant development due to its underutilised train station and proximity to the M25 motorway, promising excellent transport links. Reed’s vision is part of a wider Labour initiative to build 12 new towns across England, each with a minimum of 10,000 homes, as part of a broader target to deliver 1.5 million new homes within five years.

Reed described the initiative as "launching the next generation of new towns," drawing inspiration from the post-war Labour government’s housing boom. He stated the plan seeks to mobilise "the full power of the state to build a new generation of new towns and restore the dream of home ownership to thousands of families across the country." This echoes the approach of previous generations of new towns, particularly the period following World War II when the government exercised significant powers such as compulsory purchase and direct development through bodies like the 1961 Commission for New Towns (CNT). These historic efforts aimed to alleviate severe housing shortages and improve living standards, as seen in towns like Stevenage, the first designated new town in 1946.

The new towns plan goes beyond just housing numbers. According to statements by Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, each new town will include vital infrastructure such as public transport, schools, and affordable housing. The Labour Party intends for these developments to be well-planned communities that provide green spaces and essential facilities, improving quality of life and addressing longstanding housing crises. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has highlighted the importance of holding developers accountable, ensuring that at least 40% of homes in these new towns are affordable and meet community needs, while integrating environmental considerations into the designs.

Labour’s strategy represents one of the most significant state-led housing campaigns in recent years. The party has committed to collaborating with the private sector to deliver these new towns, aiming to tackle England’s chronic housing shortage comprehensively, with Labour pledging to unveil site locations for these ‘towns of the future’ within the first year of a potential Labour government. This initiative marks a return to a more interventionist government role in housing, reminiscent of mid-20th century efforts but updated to meet modern demands for sustainability and social inclusion.

The ambition to regenerate areas like Crews Hill stands as a concrete example of this renewed commitment. It is hoped that such transformation projects will not only increase housing stock but also breathe new life into underdeveloped communities, creating vibrant, sustainable places to live with improved access to transport and local amenities.

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Source: Noah Wire Services