Regeneration of overlooked communities alongside new towns will be vital if UK is to hit homebuilding target

By Michael Lyons 2025-10-24T06:01:00

Only by adopting an ambitious, long-term mindset and working in partnership will we manage to build those 1.5 million homes, writes Sir Michael Lyons, chair of the New Towns Taskforce

The government’s 1.5 million homes target is one of the most demanding housing challenges we have seen. The sector can meet it, but to do so the approach must include bold action on every front.

To overcome the scale of the housing crisis – and alongside developing new towns across the country – we will need to continue to look at opportunities in communities too often overlooked for investment.

My position as chair of the New Towns Taskforce and non-executive chair of ECF, the partnership between Homes England, L&G, and Muse, provides a unique perspective of seeing the challenge from both sides.

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