The Labour government has confirmed the location of six “new priority large sites” for 12,000 new homes, including Billet Road in Redbridge, High Road West in Haringey, and Wisley Airfield in Guildford.
The confirmation of the six sites is the latest part of the government’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes to be unveiled – a commitment which has repeatedly been cast into doubt.
The locations have been added to the government’s New Homes Accelerator, which it claims will unlock and accelerate delivery on a further 12,000 homes.
The government says the initiative — intended to speed up the delivery of large-scale housing developments— is expected to make a “significant contribution” to meeting its 1.5 million target, and claims that it has already fast-tracked the construction of almost 100,000 new homes across England.
Set up last year, the scheme has provided local councils with extra planning capacity, removed regulatory hurdles and cut red tape.
“We’ve rolled up our sleeves and are breaking down the barriers which stop us from building the houses to buy and rent that families and young people need, helping to speed up the delivery of tens of thousands of new homes already,” said Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
“We are continuing to take decisive action through our New Homes Accelerator to speed up the delivery of homes, meet our stretching 1.5 million homes target through the Plan for Change, and get spades in the ground to turn the tide on the housing crisis.”
High Road West in Tottenham is one of the six earmarked sites
Two of Labour’s six sites for new homes are in London, at Billet Road in Redbridge and High Road West in Haringey.
The High Road West development was granted planning permission in 2022. According to developer Lendlease, it is set to provide more than 2,600 new homes, 40 per cent of which will be affordable housing. It will also include new community facilities, like a library, learning centre, public park and civic square.
Billet Road, which is being developed by Bellway, is set to create a pedestrian and cycle-friendly neighbourhood of 1,341 new homes, alongside a community hub, retail space and public open spaces.
“I’m pleased the government is working with London boroughs to unblock housebuilding as part of its plan to deliver the good growth our country needs,” said Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. “I’m determined to use all the powers at my disposal to build the homes Londoners need and get Britain building again.
“I look forward to working with Ministers on the action and investment needed to accelerate the delivery of new homes as we continue building a better, fairer London for everyone.”
The four other sites are Wisley Airfield in Guildford, Hampden Fields in Aylesbury, Comeytrowe Garden Community (also known as Orchard Grove) in Somerset and North Leigh Park in Wigan.
The regeneration of Wisley Airfield is expected to create 1,730 new homes, 40 per cent of which will be affordable. Labour says that it has already helped developer Taylor Wimpey to expedite the planning process by facilitating quick responses from statutory consultees and providing strategic support to the local planning authority.
Hampden Fields, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, is also being developed by Taylor Wimpey. It is expected to create 3,000 new homes, of which 28-28 per cent are set to be affordable, as well as a new health centre, community facilities, care home, and two schools.
By adding these six developments to its New Homes Accelerator, Labour says it will expedite the delivery of over 12,000 homes, with at least 25 per cent affordable housing across these sites.
Where else is the New Homes Accelerator being used?
The government says that its flagship programme has accelerated the construction of almost 100,000 homes in its first year. These, it says, were new homes on large developments which were stuck in the planning system or progressing slower than intended.
So far, it claims to have “driven forward planning proposals” for 63,000 homes, and intervened on a further 36,000 across England, removing planning and regulatory bottlenecks. At Worcestershire Parkway, for example, which will deliver 4,500 new homes, Labour says it has already seen “breakthrough progress”.
After it was launched in July 2024, the Accelerator identified 350 sites for support, with the combined potential to create 700,000 homes.
Even so, critics have remained sceptical that the government will be able to reach its target of building 1.5 million new homes. In June, for example, Savills forecasted that Labour could build 840,000 new homes in the next five years, or 1.2 million homes “at most”.
Rayner dismissed these claims, cautioning: “Underestimate me at your peril.”