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
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.
Cutting carbon, cost and risk in estate management
Lessons from Cardiff Met’s “Halve the Half” initiative.
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.