Transport for New Homes has published a Checklist which will help root out car-dependent housing developments.

It is known that new housing in the UK is too often built around car use, with residents having little choice but to drive for almost every journey. 

There are also some great examples of housing where sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel have been properly considered.

But what are the specific elements that make up a non-car-dependent housing development? Back in April TfNH asked contributors  help us write a Checklist. They  received almost 40 exceptionally helpful replies, and  are now delighted to announce the publication of the Transport for New Homes Checklist, which identifies elements including:

• A location within or closely connected to an existing settlement that has a clear centre
• A welcoming environment, not dominated by car parking
• Local facilities easily accessible without a car 
• Frequent public transport services in place from Day 1 of occupation

By considering each of these criteria, users of the Checklist can rate a housing plan as either Red, Amber or Green for how well it will avoid car-dependency.

Written without jargon, it is hoped the Transport for New Homes Checklist will be used by local authorities, developers and neighbourhood groups alike to root out car-dependent housing plans. The Checklist will help to identify how such plans can be improved, or why they should be rejected altogether.

We invite you to download the Transport for New Homes Checklist and use it to rate a housing development near you. Please share your results with us on Twitter using the hashtag #NewHomesChecklist. 

P.S. If you know of a recent development that scores GREEN, why not nominate it for the Transport for New Homes Award 2019, run in partnership with the Transport Planning Society as part of Transport Planning Day 2019. The deadline for entires is 26 August. For more information on Transport Planning Day go to https://tps.org.uk/transport-planning-day-2019