New Towns Taskforce Report Published Alongside Initial Government Response

The landmark report of the New Towns Taskforce is published today, setting out a bold vision for the next generation of new towns in England. It will not only inform the locations for the next generation of new towns, but also provide an opportunity to rethink how large-scale communities are delivered in this country.

Dr Wei Yang OBE, Chair of Wei Yang & Partners, served as a member of the Taskforce alongside a panel of distinguished experts, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons with Dame Kate Barker as Deputy Chair.

In its initial official response, published the same day, the Government welcomed the Taskforce’s report and its emphasis on placemaking. Ministers praised its vision for creating not just housing, but sustainable communities with distinct identities and strong infrastructure.

They thanked the Taskforce for their comprehensive recommendations, which will help guide future decisions on new town locations. The statement published today sets out the Government’s initial response and immediate next steps, with a fuller response to follow in the spring.

Reflecting on the report’s publication and the Government’s response, Dr Yang said:

"I am delighted that the New Towns Taskforce report is published today, alongside the Government’s positive response.

This is a very special moment. Serving on the Taskforce has been both a privilege and a responsibility, and in many ways, it brings together the passions and interests I’ve been pursuing throughout my career.

When a place is truly designed to serve people, communities flourish, businesses prosper, and families thrive.

The vision for the next generation of new towns is to create resilient, inclusive, affordable, and sustainable communities where people and nature thrive in harmony. Embedding the highest standards of design, sustainability, and well-being is essential to ensuring these places are built not only for today, but for generations to come.

The next generation of new towns can also be a blueprint for a brighter future, shaping how we plan, finance, build, and steward sustainable communities at scale through a holistic approach enabled by the latest digital and technological innovations.

I want to sincerely thank the Chair of the Taskforce, Sir Michael Lyons, the Deputy Chair, Dame Kate Barker, my fellow Taskforce colleagues and expert advisers, the outstanding team at the New Towns Unit, and everyone who has contributed to this work. I am also pleased to see the Government’s positive response to the report, and encourage them to be bold and draw on the expertise across the sector to turn this vision into reality.

I hope the new generation of new towns can become exemplars of climate-conscious, people-centred living — places that embody the best of design, stewardship, and community spirit."

Wei Yang & Partners welcomes the publication of the report and looks forward to seeing its recommendations influence the next generation of new towns in England.