The concept of new towns in England is not new. Born out of post-war necessity, the New Towns Act 1946 saw the creation of planned settlements like Milton Keynes, Stevenage, and Harlow. These developments were bold experiments in urban design, intended to ease overcrowding in cities and offer communities an improved quality of life. As the UK continues to grapple with a housing crisis, climate change, and the need for sustainable growth, it’s time to revisit what these towns taught us – and how they can inspire future planning policy.
What Were the Original New Towns Aiming to Achieve?
The post-war new towns were designed with purpose: self-sufficient communities with a balance of housing, jobs, green spaces, and social infrastructure. They reflected modernist ideals – separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, neighbourhood cells, and abundant open space. However, not all of them lived up to expectations. Some struggled with underinvestment, poor transport links, and lack of identity.
What Can We Learn from Them Today?
- Master-planning Matters: The original new towns were based on comprehensive masterplans. Today, strategic site planning remains critical. Lessons learned include the importance of connectivity, transport integration, and flexibility in design. Future communities must be adaptable to changing demographics, technology, and climate conditions.
- Designing for People, Not Just Numbers: A key shortfall in some of the earlier new towns was a lack of character. While they provided housing, they often lacked the social and cultural vibrancy of organically grown places. Today’s town planning must place community needs at its heart – considering walkability, public space, local amenities, and opportunities for social interaction.
- Transport-Led Development: One of the major challenges faced by some first-wave new towns was inadequate transport infrastructure. Planning for future towns in England must align with public transport investment and active travel networks. Reducing car dependency not only supports climate goals but creates safer, more liveable places.
- Sustainability and Green Infrastructure: While many new towns included green belts and public parks, modern expectations for environmental performance have changed dramatically. New developments must be climate-resilient, with sustainable drainage systems, biodiversity net gain, and energy-efficient homes at their core.
- Economic Self-Sufficiency: Original new towns were intended to create local employment. This aim is still relevant. Future towns should support home working, digital connectivity, and provide a mix of employment land to encourage local enterprise and reduce long-distance commuting.
Reimagining New Settlements in Today’s Context
There is growing interest in creating new settlements as part of our planning system, particularly garden communities and garden villages. These developments are a chance to deliver high-quality, sustainable growth – but only if we apply the right principles from the outset.
At Planning House, we work with developers, landowners and local authorities to bring forward schemes that genuinely improve the places people live. Our approach is pragmatic, people-focused, and grounded in a strong understanding of English planning policy.
Final Thoughts
Reviving the spirit of England’s post-war new towns offers a blueprint for addressing many of today’s planning challenges. But this time, we must do it better – by planning for people and place, long-term resilience, and liveable communities.
If you’re involved in promoting land, developing large sites, or preparing local plans, get in touch with Planning House to see how we can help you shape the future of sustainable settlement planning.
