Responding to the Government’s announcement of seven locations for new towns across England, Jonathan Seager, Policy Delivery Director at BusinessLDN, said:
“London’s acute housing need and infrastructure potential make it the ideal place for getting shovels in the ground quickly on new towns, so it’s positive to see the Government reiterating its commitment to unlock tens of thousands of new homes in Thamesmead and Enfield. Bringing the public and private sectors together to deliver the Docklands Light Railway extension to Thamesmead will be key to the success of a new town in the area, and the Government should also devolve management of the Great Northern Line link to Crews Hill to Transport for London to ensure the area has the efficient and frequent train service required to unlock housing.
“The launch of the £16bn National Housing Bank marks a positive addition to new funding measures announced by government in recent weeks, promising to provide a shot in the arm to schemes all over the county. This money must now be deployed at pace and where it can have the greatest impact.”