UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to create the nation’s “largest housebuilding program” since the post-World War II era with the proposed construction of up to 12 new towns and the potential for 10,000 or more homes.
According to combined media reports, Starmer’s government said it was considering more than 100 sites across England for new urban areas that will provide residents with “well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing,” along with medical offices, schools and public transportation. Starmer added that his government would cut the red tape that has slowed the development of new housing in the UK and would also consider using greenfield land that has traditionally been off limits to housing development.
The UK faces a significant housing shortage and Starmer has vowed to overhaul planning laws that have limited developers eager to build new housing. Starmer is aiming to have the program in motion prior to the next national election in 2029.
“We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder,” Starmer said in a statement. “We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.”
