New Towns Taskforce
Milton Keynes has been recommended by the New Towns Taskforce as a potential location for a new town.
The Government-appointed New Towns Taskforce developed a shortlist of locations for new and expanded places, well placed to boost economic growth and the supply of new homes, spreading opportunity and supporting strong communities.
You can read their report, published in September 2025, at New Towns Taskforce: Report to government - GOV.UK
Three areas are being considered in Milton Keynes.
- a new urban neighbourhood in Central Milton Keynes
- continuing the major expansion to the East of the M1 motorway
- a developer-led proposal for major expansion North of Milton Keynes.
The first two are already part of the city’s long-term plan, the MK City Plan 2050. The third has been proposed by landowners and developers, and is not being progressed through this local plan process.
In total, these three areas could deliver around 40,000 new homes, as well as jobs, schools, surgeries, community facilities, open space and the other infrastructure and facilities needed to make people-friendly and healthy places.
The Government is now looking further at the Taskforce recommendations, including the opportunity for Milton Keynes to again be designated as a new town, during a period of ‘due diligence’. If they take Milton Keynes forward as a preferred location, it means parts of our city will be in a national programme to speed up building homes, improving infrastructure (like transport and schools), and boosting the local economy. Creating a Greater Milton Keynes would be a step-change in the level of growth that the city has seen in the last few decades. It’s a chance to bring more investment into the city, helping to improve the quality of life for existing and future generations.
We expect Government to consult on a Strategic Environmental Assessment for the New Towns programme starting in Spring 2026.
Council Motion
At Full Council on 19 November 2025, a motion was presented and carried that the Council welcomes the publication of the Taskforce report and recognises the importance of working together with Government in shaping the plans.
The motion is available here (item CL79) Agenda for Council on Wednesday 19th November, 2025, 7.30 pm | Milton Keynes City Council
Milton Keynes New Towns Partnership
The City Council has signed a new agreement with the major developers and landowners within the potential New Town growth areas to strengthen Milton Keynes’ national role as a provider of homes, infrastructure, jobs and well-planned communities.
The Memorandum of Understanding marks a commitment to work together following the recommendation of the New Towns Taskforce that Milton Keynes forms part of the UK’s next generation of new towns.
The agreement brings the City Council together with Berkeley, the Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers, Gallagher, Hallam Land, Milton Keynes Development Partnership, Taylor Wimpey and Urban&Civic. Together, these developers and landowners control land for around 40,000 new homes and the infrastructure that will support them, helping to create the strong, vibrant communities of the future. By presenting a united voice, the "Milton Keynes New Town Partnership" aims to secure investment, improve infrastructure and create growth that benefits residents and businesses across Milton Keynes.