'Garden villages' to deliver 48,000 homes

The first 'garden villages', which have the potential to deliver more than 48,000 homes across England, have been given government backing.

 

In an expansion of the existing garden towns programme, these 14 smaller projects of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes will have access to a £6 million fund over the next two financial years to support the delivery of these new projects.

 

The government has also announced its support for three new garden towns in Aylesbury, Taunton, and Harlow & Gilston – and a further £1.4 million of funding to support their delivery.

 

Together with the seven garden towns already announced, these 17 new garden settlements have the combined potential to provide almost 200,000 new homes across the country.

 

Commenting on the announcement, CIAT President Gary Mees said 'The programme of house building in areas of need is to be welcomed and is critically important, but equally it is essential that new housing and communities are appropriately and professionally designed.

 

'The proposed garden villages and towns must create sustainable communities implementing the principals of Inclusive Environments with attention given to the infrastructure surrounding the areas and transport links planned.  Growth must be planned for, as well as the changing demographic and living styles for the next 100 years. 

 

'Architectural Technology professionals are key to ensuring that the homes that make up these new villages and towns will be designed to the highest standards. CIAT and its members will strive to make these new developments a success for now and future generations. It is equally important that these new villages and towns do not detract from the need to ensure the current housing stock is fit for future needs and that regeneration and retrofit is promoted in tandem.'