New Town Development Corporation
A New Town Development Corporation is a type of development corporation – a government-established organisation responsible for urban renewal and development. In the UK, the New Towns Act 1946 introduced the corporations as a means of developing new towns to cater for populations living in poor or demolished housing after World War II.
A New Town Development Corporation is distinct from an Urban Development Corporation which is responsible for regeneration and redevelopment in already built-up areas.
New Town Development Corporations were given responsibilities by the New Towns Act to oversee and supervise the development of New Towns on designated areas of land that had been identified by the government. By 1955, ten New Towns had been developed, the first of which was Stevenage, to manage the population overspill from London. Other New Towns such as Milton Keynes were also developed. The Corporations were later disbanded.
In June 2018, the government introduced to Parliament, new regulations which could lead to councils having the power to establish New Town Development Corporations as a means of completing new urban developments and delivering thousands of new homes. The Corporations will be accountable to the councils and will be expected to consult and involve the local communities in their proposed projects, in addition, they will:
- Draft proposals for the new developments which the oversight authority can approve.
- Masterplan and develop projects.
- Bring on board private investment.
- Partner with developers.
- Oversee completion.
The Corporations’ borrowing cap of £100 million has been removed.
The legislative changes are to occur in the New Towns Act 1981, which will shift powers from the Secretary of State to local councils. The regulations will be subject to further Parliamentary debate and may come into force by the end of 2018 if approved.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Barlow report.
- British post-war mass housing.
- Development corporation.
- Devolution and development.
- Eco Town.
- Enterprise zones.
- Garden cities.
- Garden town.
- Garden village.
- Housing zone.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- New towns.
- New Towns: the rise, fall and rebirth.
- Statutory instruments.
- Suburb.
- Town planning.
- Whittington Estate.
Featured articles and news
Delivering for tenants; National Retrofit Hub
New report offers recommendations to strengthen energy efficiency standards to protect private renters.
Government consultations for the summer of 2025
A year of Labour, past and present consultations on the environment, the built environment, training and tax.
CMA competitiveness probe of major housing developers
100 million affordable housing contributions committed with further consultation published.
Homes England supports Greencore Homes
42 new build affordable sustainable homes in Oxfordshire.
Zero carbon social housing: unlocking brownfield potential
Seven ZEDpod strategies for brownfield housing success.
CIOB report; a blueprint for SDGs and the built environment
Pairing the Sustainable Development Goals with projects.
Types, tests, standards and fires relating to external cladding
Brief descriptions with an extensive list of fires for review.
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.