As part of the government’s target to build 300,000 new homes by the mid 2020s, Housing Secretary James Brokenshire has announced a new garden communities’ programme.
The government is committed to promoting local developments across England and the objective of this new programme is to create more garden towns, which will see local communities benefit from increased quality new-build housing and the provision of more open green spaces.
Private developers and councils throughout England will be entitled to register an application to join the programme, providing they have gained the backing of their local authorities.
Delivering 200,000 new homes by 2050
Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: “Our garden communities programme already has the potential to provide over 200,000 new homes by 2050, and we want to go further.
“This plan is about the government working with councils and developers to get great homes in keeping with beautiful areas in England.
“We want to help local authorities build strong and vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and raise families.”
Local engagement and involvement is paramount
Brokenshire added: “Strong community involvement and engagement will be at the heart of judging garden community proposals; ensuring developments reflect local character while also designing beautiful green spaces near homes.”
Currently, 23 locally led garden communities are receiving funding assistance, with the means to build in excess of 200,000 innovatively designed homes by 2050. Garden communities can have projects comprising 10,000 to 40,000 dwellings. A garden town or city is a new development consisting of over 10,000 homes, while a new garden village built on a smaller scale is made up of between 1,500 to 10,000 homes.
Following a three-month application process, the successful bidders will potentially receive grants towards the planning process which will include staffing and environmental site assessments; they will also benefit from specialist advice.
The results of those applicants who have succeeded in their garden community proposals are due to be announced in 2019.
