A new town for the 21st century? Seven-village build to begin after 20-year journey

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Jamie GriersonFebruary 9, 2026 at 02:40 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

After 20 years of planning and legal challenges, construction is set to begin on Gilston, a large-scale housing development in east Hertfordshire, UK. Led by Places for People, the project envisions a network of seven interconnected villages comprising 10,000 homes within a 660-hectare landscape. The development aims to create rural communities with social housing and prioritize infrastructure, including schools, health centers, and leisure facilities, before housing construction. Gilston is designed to be a modern garden town, promoting walkability and cycling over car dependency. The project's £1 billion infrastructure budget will support the development of the villages, each containing between 800 and 1,800 homes, connected by extensive parkland.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Edinburgh 30% Harlow 40% Essex 40% United Kingdom 50% Taylor Wimpey 50% Hertfordshire 60% Greg Reed ×370% Britain ×270% Places for People (PfP) ×580% Gilston ×690%

Keywords

new town 90% community building 80% housing development 70% planning system 60% infrastructure 60% rural communities 50% social housing 50% garden town 40% green belt 40%