Development corporation
Development corporations can be created by statutory instruments to facilitate developments in areas that need large-scale coordination of investment and planning. They are a statutory bodies set up to regenerate a designated area, bringing land and buildings into effective use, and acting as the planning authority for that area.
Many of the post-war new towns were established by New Town Development Corporations created under the New Towns Acts.
Types of development corporation in the UK now include:
- Urban Development Corporations (UDC), such as Ebbsfleet, which are accountable to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
- New Town Development Corporations such as Milton Keynes, also accountable to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
- Mayoral Development Corporations, such as the London Legacy Development Corporation, created under powers given to the Mayor of London by the Localism Act 2011, and accountable to the Mayor.
In June 2018, it was announced that local councils are to be given powers to request the creation of New Town Development Corporations, accountable to the local authority or authorities in the area.
These locally-led bodies will be responsible for delivering new towns and garden communities in their area by:
- Drafting proposals for the new developments which the oversight authority can approve.
- Masterplanning and project development.
- Bringing on board private investment.
- Partnering with developers.
- Overseeing completion.
Housing Minister Dominic Raab MP said; “We need to build the homes our communities need and I’m committed to giving councils the tools they need to deliver. That’s why we’re giving councils the option of applying to establish development corporations. These will be locally accountable and must listen to the views of the community to ensure that the right homes are built in the right places.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- British post-war mass housing.
- City deals.
- Compulsory purchase.
- Development consent order.
- Devolution and development.
- Eco Town.
- Enterprise zones.
- Garden cities.
- Garden town.
- Garden village.
- Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
- Growth deal.
- Housing zone.
- Local development order.
- Local Enterprise Partnerships.
- Localism Act.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- New Town Development Corporation.
- Simplified planning zones.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.