The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has shared its concerns over how the building of new towns could impact rural communities, following the government’s pledge to start construction of three new towns before the next UK general election.
NFU’s announcement comes after the release of the New Towns Taskforce’s final report this week, which recommends 12 sites for the construction of new towns in England.
Responding to the report, NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “As we have previously pointed out to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the NFU has serious concerns that the construction of these new towns will have a significant impact on the great British countryside and rural communities.”
Hallos stated that the NFU is calling for transparency from the government and for productive farmland to be protected wherever possible when constructing the new towns.
Sites
The proposals for the sites will first need to be accepted by Housing Secretary Steve Reed, with the report planning to construct up to 201,000 homes.
The 12 sites that are up for consideration include:
- Adlington, Cheshire East – 14,000-20,000 homes, 970ha;
- Crews Hill & Chase Park, Enfield – Up to 21,000 homes, 884ha;
- Heyford Park, Oxfordshire – 13,000 homes, 505ha;
- Leeds South Bank – Up to 13,000 homes, 258ha;
- Victoria North, Manchester – 15,000 homes, 155ha;
- Thamesmead Waterfront, Greenwich – 15,000 homes, 100ha;
- Worcestershire Parkway – 10,000+ homes, 1,130ha;
- Brabazon & West Innovation Arc (North Bristol) – 40,000+ homes, land take not specified;
- Marlcombe, East Devon – 10,000 homes, land take not specified;
- Milton Keynes (Renewed Town) – up to 40,000 homes, land take not specified;
- Plymouth – 10,000 homes, land take not specified;
- Tempsford, Bedfordshire – 40,000+ homes, land take not specified.
NFU
The NFU stated that it will continue to raise the concerns of farmers and rural communities in the vicinity of these sites, to ensure that their wishes and needs are met by the current drive from the government to deliver a greater housing supply.
According to the NFU, it will also strive for the best outcome for agricultural and rural communities regarding this potential issue, by engaging with the government, as well as national and regional stakeholders.
