The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) consultation of the draft plan to deliver potential New Towns across the country.
The national consultation, which began on Monday 23 March, features proposals for seven locations across the country, including Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, which is located in one the West of England’s Growth Zones in South Gloucestershire.
The government believes that a new generation of new towns is essential to address England’s structural housing shortage crisis and unlock economic growth.
Each of the potential new towns will be expected to build at least 10,000 new homes, with an ambition for a minimum of 40 per cent affordable housing and half for social rent. Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc could deliver 10,000 with the future potential for around 40,000 homes over the coming decades, predicated on investment in infrastructure including transport, employment, education, retail and leisure that will also benefit existing communities.
The West Innovation Arc is already home to a thriving economy, hosting global aerospace companies like Rolls Royce, Airbus and GKN. The area is home to an advanced manufacturing and innovation ecosystem including the National Composites Centre at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, which also hosts Isambard AI – the UKs fastest supercomputer. Realising the full potential of the site would require investment in transport to drive a suitable public transport mode share helping to relieve, and prevent, future pressures on the already constrained road network.
No final decisions on locations will be made by government until this assessment concludes and preferred locations could change as a result of the process. The government intends to confirm final locations later this year.
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “The Government is making progress on their commitment to the consideration of new town locations. The West Innovation Arc, including Brabazon, is an area of huge opportunity for local businesses and residents. We must ensure this opportunity unlocks vital investment in infrastructure, homes and jobs, so that it can deliver sustainable growth rooted in innovation and community.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “The country’s fastest growing regional economy here in the West of England is the perfect place for a new town: Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc. As we continue to create jobs and growth, we need to build the right homes in the right places – with the services and infrastructure that people need.
“Just on Friday, we officially named Bristol Brabazon, the new railway station that will open this autumn to serve this regional Growth Zone. The Housing Secretary also saw the West’s brilliance up close at NCC on Thursday, where we were proud to host the Mayoral Council for the first time.
“In a huge week for devolution, real momentum is building for our region as we work with government and partners across the West of England to deliver change that people can see and feel.”
YTL UK Group Chief Executive Colin Skellett said: “We’re delighted that Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc has been included in the new towns consultation, it marks a crucial step further towards becoming the most exciting multi-purpose destination in the South West.
“With work already underway and hundreds of residents already occupying homes, Brabazon is fast becoming a model for sustainable growth and placemaking in the UK while also creating thousands of local jobs. With planning secured for 6,500 homes, state-of-the-art office and commercial spaces, a community hub in the restored Spitfire Hangar, the upcoming Bristol Brabazon train station and the Aviva Arena at YTL Live at the heart of it all, Brabazon will be one of the country’s highest quality developed areas.
“The potential new town status will unlock even more homes and opportunities for Brabazon, along with the public transport and infrastructure needed to support it.”
Robert Nettleton, Chief Executive, Bromford Flagship LiveWest said: “We welcome the shortlisting of West Innovation Arc as a New Town. At a time when demand for affordable housing has never been greater this century, this is exactly the kind of ambition needed to deliver at scale and support the country’s long-term growth.
“As the leading affordable housing provider in South Gloucestershire, we’re already working closely with WECA, SGC and YTL on Brabazon and we look forward to forming future partnerships that will unlock further delivery in the proposed New Town. With the scale, financial strength and long-term commitment to invest, we’re excited by the opportunity to support the delivery of new affordable homes and contribute to creating a place that will enable people to thrive.”
The government is working with mayors, councils, and developers to increase housebuilding to a level that hasn’t been seen since the post-war era, unlocking economic growth, creating new jobs, and helping tackle the housing crisis by getting millions more people onto the property ladder.
The consultation closes at midnight on 18 May. To find out more and have your say on the proposals please visit New Towns Draft Programme – GOV.UK
