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Understanding the Garden City approach – Seminars for Councils: Letchworth
February 4, 2020 @ 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
A free seminar for Councils exploring the opportunities to bring forward sustainable new communities within the context of national policy and the Garden City Principles
Across the UK there is a chronic shortage of affordable housing and this housing crisis is damaging people’s life chances. At the same time, much of the new housing being delivered is badly designed and lacks the basic social infrastructure to make these new places into real communities.
Meeting the nation’s housing needs will involve more than just delivering housing units – we must create beautiful green places which offer a wide range of employment, retail and leisure opportunities; supply a complete mix of housing types, including social and affordable housing; adopt zero-carbon design; implement sustainable transport; provide well managed and connected parks and public spaces; and provide a unique opportunity to offer people a better quality of life and more sustainable lifestyles.
How can we meet the shared ambition to build the number of homes we need in places we can be proud of, places which will enhance people’s health and wellbeing?
Significant momentum has been gained both politically and across the built environment sector on recognising the potential of the Garden City approach to development. National Policy requires Councils to consider the role of new communities in dealing with housing growth needs, and the Garden City principles are referenced in the NPPF and recent Planning Design Guidance.
To help those Councils who are considering the new Garden City approach as part of their portfolio of housing growth options, the TCPA is publishing a new guide for Councils highlighting the opportunities to bring forward sustainable new communities within the context of localism, planning reform and Government incentives. To accompany the guide the TCPA is running a series of free seminars for councils to help understand the opportunities and challenges of this approach.
Speakers include: TCPA, Homes England, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, LDA Design, Countryside Properties and Local Authorities who are currently delivering new communities, including members of the TCPA New Communities Group.
Who should attend? These seminars are designed for Council officers, elected members and their delivery partners, but will provide useful learning for all those involved in planning for or delivering sustainable new communities at a range of scales.