Government told East Herts should be ‘trailblazer’ for one of country’s 12 new towns

East Herts has been named as a “trailblazer” location for a £4 billion new town with at least 10,000 homes.

The district is one of 12 sites singled out for development by WPI Strategy experts in response to the Government’s plans for a “next generation” of settlements in England to deliver 1.5m extra homes this parliament.

WPI says it is “a highly experienced team drawn from the most senior roles in Government, the civil service and the media”.

The report by two former senior Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government economists, David Morris and Paul Chamberlain, has been submitted to Labour’s New Towns Taskforce.

Uttlesford also made the list of 20 districts most suited to large-scale housing development, based on housing supply gaps, land availability, proximity to economic hubs, housing affordability, and development viability.

However, after crunching the data, the analysts deduced there was less public resistance to a new town in East Herts, even though they noted the district has already backed plans for 10,000 homes as part of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.

Their research indicated “local public support for new development” in East Herts was 53.5%, earning the district 11th place on the dozen top designations. Uttlesford scored 50.9%. A new settlement at Milton Keynes was judged most acceptable at 59%.

The report, sponsored by Pension Insurance Corporation and the National House Building Council, says: “Following the production of a shortlisted 20 locations…we take a realistic look at which locations are likely to cause the least practical disruption and opposition, using analyses of local polling to show 12 ideal places.

“Data shows more than 50% support for development in 18 of the 20 locations and mirrors the point made above that people tend to be broadly supportive overall of the idea of new development or new towns in theory. This may turn into opposition, however, if an actual, real proposition for local development is made.”

The report cautions: “We do not identify very specific potential construction sites, but rather the highest-potential LADs (local authority districts) where engagement with local authorities and partners might begin as soon as possible to assess sites, deliverability and infrastructure needs.”

East Herts Council has started a review of its Local Plan, updating the strategy adopted in 2018 to deliver 839 new homes a year to 2033.

A call for sites has already been completed, which highlighted 21 locations for housing and employment, community facilities, habitat creation and enhancement, and infrastructure in Bishop’s Stortford and 12 in Sawbridgeworth, of more than 280 overall.

The new blueprint is expected to be ready by June 2028. The council estimates it needs to provide a minimum of 1,265 new homes a year across the anticipated plan period to 2043, so sites for at least 18,975 dwellings must be identified.

The WPI report says: “Uttlesford contains Stansted Airport, which is a big economic hub as well as having good access to both London and Cambridge. New settlements have been discussed in the past, for example, a new garden city west of Braintree.

“However, Uttlesford have just submitted a new plan with no big development proposals - which stands out as being a big missed opportunity.”