The programme will create large scale communities of at least 10,000 new homes each with with many “significantly larger.”

It will include new communities that are separate from existing settlements but a far larger number of new towns will be urban extensions and regeneration schemes that will work alongside existing developments.

Schemes will be governed by a ‘New Towns Code’ to ensure they are well-connected, well-designed, sustainable and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure and public services necessary to support residents.

Regeneration expert Sir Michael Lyons will spearhead the New Towns Taskforce as its Chair and present a final shortlist of recommendations on appropriate locations to ministers within 12 months.

He said: “A new generation of new towns and large scale urban extensions could play a significant role in the government’s plans for economic growth as well as offering new homes on an ambitious scale.

“Our mission begins today and we will work closely with local leaders and their communities as well as the wider development and investment sectors to make sure these new towns are built in the right places.”