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
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
ECA launches Welsh Election Manifesto
ECA calls on political parties 100 day milestone to the Senedd elections.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.




















